Culture and Heritage
Do you like finding things out?
BA (Hons) Culture and Heritage can be studied as a single programme, or as one-half of a joint programme. We offer joint degrees in Archaeology, Criminology, History, Literature, Politics, Sociology, Theology and with Gaelic Studies.
The BA (Hons) Culture and Heritage is based at Orkney College UHI, and is available to students across Scotland. The lecturers are based in Orkney, Shetland, Moray, Perthshire and the Western Isles so you’re sure to get a wide range of ideas, points of view and topics over the course of your studies.
What makes us who we are?
In year one, you will be introduced to the idea of Scottish culture and identity, and you can take your research wherever you like (Scotland the Brand, What is Culture? Culture? Heritage? What?). You will also learn about Scotland’s rich musical culture (Scotland’s Music).
In year two you will investigate our folklore (Folklore) and will build upon your first year module What is Culture? with Tradition Custom and Belief. Golden Mead and Burning Hearts looks at the Scottish literary tradition, while Languages on the Edge teaches you about Scotland’s rich dialects and languages, or you can choose Displaying the Past: Museum Studies, where you will get an introduction to all things museum-y.
In year three you will be able to really get your teeth into your research with the Interdisciplinary Project, a big piece of research work on a topic that really interests you. The project lists below include Projects and Dissertations. You will also study Scotland in Film, Scottish Enlightenment and Highland Society, Perceptions of Heritage and Celtic and Celtic Revival Art in Scotland 600-2000.
Year four is where you gain your Honours qualification (First, 2:1, 2:2, 2:3) and you will complete the year with a major piece of research in your Dissertation. You will round off your studies with Faeries and Fables: The Story of Gaelic Literature, Vikings and Valkyries and Highland Journeys.
This programme is truly interdisciplinary – you will learn a bit of everything!
Graduates of the degree have gone on to be museum professionals, archaeologists, lecturers, writers, poets, journalists, heritage professionals, teachers, researchers and within the local and national government sector. This degree gives you the tools, background and knowledge to do almost anything (well, ok, maybe not brain surgery).
Past projects include
- Women’s Work
- The Baptist Faith in Scotland
- Peat Usage
- The Tale of Pirate Gow
- Shapinsay During World War II
- The Nissen Hut in Orkney
- Horse Lore in the North of Scotland
- The Changing Role of Women in Agriculture
- Power to the People of Westray: If it wasnae fur the Hydro, whaur wad we be…
- Orkney Guitar Styles
Writing in 2016…
My name is Niamh Mackenzie and I am a second year student studying Culture and Heritage BA (Hons) at Orkney College. I left school in 2014 and went straight into this degree and so far I have loved it. When I found this degree it was perfect for me because it encompasses such a wide range of subjects relating to Scottish Culture such as music and literature which I am very passionate about. It has also allowed me to discover new interests such as archaeology. I started this degree not really sure where I was hoping it would take me but have since undertaken an optional intensive module in Museum Studies which was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to specialise in this area for a masters following my degree. I am also hoping to study in Canada during my third year, so the future seems very exciting right now!
Niamh is now in her first year of a fully funded PhD
There are four exit points
Cert HE
Equivalent to a year of higher education
Dip HE
Equivalent to two years of higher education
BA
Ordinary degree. There are no levels to this 3-year qualification
BA (Hons)
The full programme of 4 years. This is where you get a First, a 2:1 etc