BA (Hons) Archaeology (with a year in industry) at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

A five-year honours archaeology degree with a year in industry, described as the only archaeology sandwich undergraduate degree in Scotland. It builds practical skills in excavation, survey, environmental archaeology, photogrammetry and illustration within Scotland's heritage landscape.

Department: Archaeology Institute, UHI Orkney | Duration: Full-time: 5 years (including a year in industry) | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time (placement year) | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1: introduction to archaeology, reading the landscape through time, world archaeology plus options. Year 2: Being an archaeologist in Scotland, digital heritage, excavation skills. Year 3: archaeological theory and interpretation, public archaeology and cultural heritage management, skills for professional development, understanding archaeological science. Year 4: 7-12 month work placement. Year 5: dissertation, sustainability past and future plus two options.

Career pathways

Archaeological contract units, consultancy, archives and museums, government agencies and local authorities, media and politics, tourism and heritage management, teaching; progression to MLitt Archaeological Studies, MSc Archaeological Practice, MSc Environmental Archaeology and related masters.

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. 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. PVG Scheme membership may be required for the year in industry (Category 2 PVG course). Not available to international students needing a Student Route visa or studying online from outside the UK.

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

International applicants: GBP 16,820 a year (2026/27). Full-time; only for international students who do not need Student Route visa sponsorship Source

Intake: September

Duration: Full-time: 5 years (including a year in industry)

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