Archaeology (with a year in industry) BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

Are you ready to study archaeology in a place where history is all around you? Can you imagine learning on the doorstep of world-renowned sites such as Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Camster Cairns, and Mousa Broch?

The Highlands and Islands of Scotland offer an extraordinary setting for exploring the past, and our BA (Hons) Archaeology (with a year in industry) puts you at the heart of it. On this degree, you’ll build a deep understanding of archaeological practices while developing your own hands-on skills through practical training and placements. While rooted in Scotland’s rich cultural heritage, the course also takes a global perspective, helping you connect local history with broader archaeological themes.

You’ll learn from passionate lecturers who lead cutting-edge research projects across the Scottish Islands, the UK and Ireland, the Atlantic region, and even as far as Polynesia. As you progress, you’ll gain skills in excavation, field survey, environmental archaeology (including zooarchaeology, archaeobotany and osteoarchaeology), digital tools like photogrammetry, and archaeological illustration.

As you complete your degree, you’ll be equipped not only with strong archaeological knowledge and practical skills but also with the confidence to pursue a wide range of exciting career paths. Whether you choose to continue into postgraduate research, work with heritage organisations, join commercial archaeology teams, or apply your skills in other fields, this degree will open doors for you. You’ll graduate ready to make a meaningful impact by uncovering and protecting the stories of the past for future generations.

Special features

• A highly practical course focusing on necessary ‘on-the-job’ skills such as surveying, fieldwork and post-excavation practices
• Our studies are linked to the distinctive cultural heritage of Scotland – what learning experience could be richer?
• The only Archaeology sandwich undergraduate degree available in Scotland

Accommodation

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

Entry requirements

• 3 Scottish Highers at grades BBC or above OR
• 2 A levels at grades BC or above
• Alternatively, CPD Award Archaeology and Local Studies (SCQF level 7)
• PVG scheme membership may be required to undertake the year in industry, therefore this course is determined to be a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/units, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional modules/units, but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Advanced entry

• HNC Social Sciences (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

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Introduction to archaeology: approaches and methods
• Reading the landscape through time
• World archaeology, politics and perspectives

You will also study 3 modules from the following options:

• Introduction to science in archaeology
• Prehistoric Europe: Neanderthals to the Iron Age
• Any of the level 7 modules from the UHI Humanities Scheme

Year 2 - DipHE

• You will study the following core modules:
• Being an archaeologist in Scotland
• Digital heritage
• Excavation skills

You will also study 3 modules from the following options:

• Wetland archaeology
• Any of the level 8 modules from the UHI Humanities Scheme

Year 3 - BA

You will study the following core modules:

• Archaeological theory and interpretation 
• Public archaeology and cultural heritage management
• Skills for professional development
• Understanding archaeological science

You will also study 1 module from the following options:

• Practical skills for environmental archaeology
• Any of the level 9 modules from the UHI Humanities Scheme

Year 4 - Year in industry

You may have the opportunity to undertake an optional year-long work placement between your BSc and BSc (Hons) years. We will support you to find a suitable placement, however if a placement is not found, you will have the opportunity to transfer to the standard four year course.

Year 5 - BA (Hons)

You will study the following core modules:

• Dissertation
• Sustainability past and future

You will also study 2 of the following optional modules:

• Coastal and island archaeology
• Interpreting historic worlds: Picts, Vikings, Scots and states
• Interpreting prehistoric worlds
• Landscape archaeology

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) - £1,542.

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 confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. 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 students 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

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

This course includes several field trips, including residentials and an optional international field trip module to Iceland. You will be required to pay a contribution towards the cost of the residentials and international trips. The module option for Iceland trip may also require a visa: it will be your responsibility to research and secure your visa to travel to Iceland if needed.

Financing of your year in industry will depend on individual arrangements with placement hosts, but you will need to cover the cost of travel to and from your placement during this period.