Orkney and Shetland Studies MLitt

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What is special about this course?

This is the only course of its kind that focuses on studying the history, culture, literature, archaeology and language of the Orkney and Shetland islands; communities of significant strategic importance through the ages.

Come with us on a journey to explore the islands’ unique culture and heritage, delivered by the prize-winning Institute for Northern Studies team.

You will be able to progress on to research degrees once you have completed this Orkney and Shetland Studies course and you will have gained valuable personal development skills along the way.

Special features

  • Unique course content not available anywhere else
  • You are taught by local experts in Orkney and Shetland
  • We use video conferencing and a virtual learning environment to deliver the course at a distance
  • Small class sizes
  • You can also choose options in language, literature, creative writing and the North Atlantic world
  • You can study individual modules for personal or professional development, or work towards the PgCert, PgDip, or full masters degree

Entry requirements

  • 2.1 honours degree or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, such as history, archaeology, literature or ethnology
  • Other disciplines, such as human geography and the social sciences, will also be considered

 

*Funding support notice*

Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scottish domiciled and EU students)

Loans for tuition fees are available from SAAS for eligible Scotland domiciled and EU students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.

Access routes

Students can access the programme from a range of our undergraduate programmes including:

PgCert

Core modules are:

  • Orkney and Shetland myths and origins
  • Medieval history of Orkney and Shetland

PgDip

Core modules are:

  • Traditional customs and beliefs of the Highlands and Islands
  • Modern history of Orkney and Shetland
  • Archaeological heritage of Orkney and Shetland

You will also choose one option module which may include:

  • From Atlantis to Utopia
  • From Muckle Flugga to Pladda
  • Exploring creative writing
  • Celts and Vikings in the North Atlantic
  • Picts: revealing the painted past
  • Small island governance
  • Selling cold islands
  • Tour of the Highlands

MLitt

To achieve the award of MLitt Orkney and Shetland Studies you must complete a research dissertation.

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • You will learn through a combination of video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors and student advisor
  • International students requiring a Tier 4 visa to study with us must be based at Orkney College UHI during their studies. International students undertaking the course from their home country can study online and by video conference, in real-time or recordings
  • All other students can choose to study at Orkney College UHI or from their own location studying online and by video conference in real-time or recordings
  • An online induction will be offered at the start of your course

How long will my course last?


  • Full-time:1 year @ 20 hours per week
  • Part-time structured: 2 years @ 10 hours per week

The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.


Where can I study my course?

  • Orkney College UHI

Start date

  • September
  • January

Fees

The following fees apply to this taught postgraduate course:

2019-20Scottish
on-site
(inc EU)		Scottish
online		Rest of UK
on-site		Rest of UK
online
(inc EU)
Intl.
on-site
Intl.
online
Per module (20 credits) £560 £560 £650 £650 £1,340 £960
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £1,680 £1,680 £1,950 £1,950 £4,020 £2,880
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) £3,360 £3,360 £3,900 £3,900 £8,040 £5,760
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) £5,000 £5,000 £5,850 £5,850 £12,060 £8,640

 

2018-19Scottish
on-site
(inc EU)		Scottish
online		Rest of UK
on-site		Rest of UK
online
(inc EU)
Intl.
on-site
Intl.
online
Per module (20 credits) £560 £560 £650 £650 £1,260 £900
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £1,680 £1,680 £1,950 £1,950 £3,780 £2,700
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) £3,360 £3,360 £3,900 £3,900 £7,560 £5,400
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) £5,000 £5,000 £5,850 £5,850 £11,340 £8,120

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

Funding

From 2017, eligible Scotland domiciled students studying full time for any taught postgraduate course up to full Masters level can access loans up to 10,000 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £5,500 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500. EU students studying full time can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £5500.

Part-time students undertaking any taught postgraduate course over two years up to Masters level who meet the residency eligibility can apply for a for a tuition fee loan up to £2,750 per year.

Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.

Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company

External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact Orkney College UHI for more information.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed your MLItt Orkney and Shetland Studies, there are a variety of careers you might like to consider.  Here is just a taster of the kind of opportunities available to you:

  • School teaching on completion of relevant PGDE qualification
  • Community education
  • Adult education
  • Journalism – particularly newspaper and radio
  • Working for government agencies
  • Tourism
  • Teaching on this or similar degrees

Can I progress into further study?

You can progress to PhD study at the University of the Highlands and Islands, and other institutions.

Is there more information available online?

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What our students, graduates and staff say

I was attracted to studying in Orkney because it gave me the chance to physically visit the sites and access specialised material. I received great support and encouragement from all teaching staff and the lecturers always had time to invest in their students and their needs. Studying on the course has helped me to develop fundamental interpersonal, problem-solving and team-building skills.

Fleur Ward, originally from Melbourne, Australia, relocated to Orkney to undertake the MLitt Orkney and Shetland Studies. She is now a PhD researcher in the discipline of Island Studies based at the Institute for Northern Studies, Orkney College UHI.

Our students have the chance to undertake unique programmes delivered by world leading experts. Their study at both masters and PhD level also equips them with a range of soft transferable skills which makes them very employable in today’s interdisciplinary and digital workplace. We are very much looking to the future as well as the past at the Institute for Northern Studies!

Dr Alexandra Sanmark, Reader in Medieval Archaeology, Institute for Northern Studies.

Apply for Orkney and Shetland Studies MLitt

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2019 or Jan/Feb 2020

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). UHI operates a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.