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

Programme overview

A four-year honours degree providing a detailed understanding of archaeological practice, rooted in Scotland's cultural heritage within a global context. It emphasises field archaeology, environmental archaeology, digital methods such as photogrammetry and archaeological illustration, with placements and research-led teaching.

Department: Archaeology Institute, UHI Orkney | 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, reading the landscape through time, world archaeology plus options. Year 2: Being an archaeologist in Scotland, digital heritage, excavation skills (residential). Year 3: archaeological project, theory and interpretation, understanding archaeological science plus options such as archaeology placement. Year 4: dissertation, landscape archaeology, people, plants and animals, sustainability past and future plus one option.

Career pathways

Archaeological contract units, consultancy, archives and museums, government agencies and local authorities, media and politics, tourism and heritage management, teaching; postgraduate research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD).

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 16,820 a year (2026/27). Full-time on-campus, term-time address in Scotland Source

Intake: September

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

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