BA (Hons) Archaeology and Criminology at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

A joint honours degree combining archaeology (fieldwork, surveying and post-excavation skills mapped to current occupational standards) with criminology (the changing nature of crime and its social, political, historical and individual drivers). It is studied online across the UHI network and can be taken full-time or part-time.

Duration: Full-time: 4 years; part-time: 8 years | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1: comparative institutions of justice, introduction to archaeology, introduction to criminological theory. Year 2: Being an archaeologist in Scotland, qualitative research methods plus archaeology and criminology options (e.g. history of crime and punishment, politics of policing). Year 3: archaeological theory and interpretation, understanding archaeological science plus criminology modules such as victimology and gender, crime and justice. Year 4: archaeology options and criminology options such as cultural criminology and globalisation of crime.

Career pathways

Archaeological contract units, consultancy, archives and museums, policing, social work, youth work, cybercrime, central and local government, police, prison and court services, security services, charities and the NHS.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

3 Scottish Highers at BBC or above, or 2 A levels at BC or above; at least two from the list of relevant academic subjects; other qualifications or experience considered individually; SWAP access courses or the CPD Award Archaeology and Local Studies accepted. Advanced entry: HNC Social Sciences (12 SQA credits plus 3 at level 7, with at least grade C in the Graded Unit) or NextGen HNC Social Sciences (15 credits at SCQF level 7) for year 2; HND Social Sciences (30 SQA credits, grades AB in level 8 graded units) or NextGen HND (15 credits at SCQF level 8 with Distinction) for year 3, case by case. Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership may be required for specific optional modules. International applicants (non-majority English-speaking countries): IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no element below 5.5, or an approved equivalent test.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,820 a year (2026/27). Scotland-domiciled students (term-time address in Scotland), full-time. Source

International applicants: GBP 7,505 a year (2026/27). Full-time online from home country (also applies to those in the UK assessed as international) Source

Intake: September

Duration: Full-time: 4 years; part-time: 8 years

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