What is special about this course?

By combining the two distinct but complementary subjects of Scottish History and Politics, this joint-honours degree will give you a range of future employment, advanced study or research opportunities. You will study the two disciplines, based in the Highlands and Islands, yet with an international approach that will prepare you for life beyond university.

As you progress through the course, you will choose from a combination of modules, equally balanced between Scottish history and politics. You will study the history and politics of Scotland, Britain, Europe, North America and the wider world.

Over two-thirds of the research conducted by the Centre for History was rated at 4 and 3*, indicating ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, in the latest assessment of UK university research quality.

The impact of our research on the broader economy and society was ranked joint 8th, higher than Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh. We are also the highest ranked new History department in the UK.

Special features

• Scottish history modules are taught by experts from the university's Centre for History
• This joint-honours degree gives you a broad understanding and skills base in global issues in history and politics
• You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances
• You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
• The Centre of History holds regular research seminars to which students are welcome
• There are opportunities to volunteer at local museums and archives as well as occasional formal opportunities.
• Occasional (voluntary) field-trips in the university's region enhance the experience of your degree

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

Entry to year one:

• 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, or
• 2 A levels at grade BC or above
• At least two should be from the list of relevant academic subjects
• Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
• This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Advanced entry to year two:

• HNC Social Science (12 SQA credits) with 3 additional SQA credits at level 7, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit, will be considered for direct entry to year two

Access routes

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.

Other relevant humanities access courses will also be considered on an individual basis.

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following Scottish history modules:

• What is history? PLUS
• Scottish history, 1066-1603 OR
• Scottish history, 1603 - 20th century

You will study the following politics modules:

• Introduction to politics OR
• Ideas and ideologies in politics PLUS
• The evolving politics of the British Isles OR
• Conflict and the balance of power

You will choose two further option modules from a range of history, politics and other humanities subjects.

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following Scottish history modules:

• Historians and history PLUS
• Land and people: the Scottish Highlands 1700-2000 OR
• Scotland, the North Sea and the Baltic

You will study the following politics modules:

• Scottish politics before and after the independence referendum OR
• History of political ideas PLUS
• Comparing political systems OR
• Inside US politics

You will choose two further option modules from a range of history, politics and other humanities subjects.

Year 3 - BA

You will study one of the two core modules (either Advanced social research methods or Public history) and a further five options, ensuring a balance of three Scottish history and three politics modules. You may take one history module in place of one Scottish history module.

Scottish history modules may include:

• The Jacobites: patriots, rebels or opportunists?
• Scots in North America
• Emigration from the Highlands and Islands since 1750
• The sovereignty of the sea?
• Crown-magnate relations in later medieval northern Scotland
• Scots in Poland, Poles in Scotland

Politics modules may include:

• Challenging liberal democracy OR
• Wars of the promised land PLUS
• Devolution, federalism and territorial politics OR
• European politics

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete a dissertation in Scottish history or politics. You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject plus three option modules from the other subject. You may choose one history option in place of a Scottish history option.

Scottish history modules may include:

• The Highland wars: origins, aftermath and interpretations
• Culture and Christianity in the Highlands and Islands
• The seventeenth century in the Highlands
• The empire strikes back: how the British Empire shaped Scotland
• Royal power, propaganda and perfromance: selling the Stewart Monarchy
• Merchants, mariners and maritime marauders: Scottish trade in the early modern period
• Noble, Rebel, King: Robert Bruce and medieval Scotland

Politics modules may include:

• Geopolitics: territory, security and strategy
• Transforming regimes in eastern Europe
• Political theory
• Terrorism and unconventional warfare

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,500.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government has confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals starting their study in Scotland from academic year 2021-22, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. For 2021-22, students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4^th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant university partner college for more information.

Additional costs

You will be required to cover any expenses for participation in fieldtrips.