BA (Hons) Archaeology and Literature 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 literature (a global range of authors and texts, language and literary history). 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: introduction to archaeology, theories of literature, Travellers in the wilderness. Year 2: Being an archaeologist in Scotland plus archaeology and literature options (e.g. heroic literature, mediaeval literature, Shakespearean tragedy). Year 3: archaeological theory and interpretation, understanding archaeological science plus literature modules such as nature writing and ecology and the modernist short story. Year 4: archaeology options and literature options such as avant-garde literature and satire.

Career pathways

Archaeological contract units, consultancy, archives and museums, government agencies and local authorities, media and politics, creative arts, marketing and PR, tourism and heritage management, teaching and research.

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. 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

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities