BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Practices at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

A four-year degree (HNC, HND, BA, BA Hons) exploring creative identity through collaborative projects, participatory and public art, digital creation, curation and art and education, aimed at professional contemporary art practice in community, health, recreation and education settings. It is taught at UHI Inverness and UHI Perth.

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 is the HNC Contemporary Art Practice and year 2 the HND Contemporary Art Practice. Year 3 (BA): practical skills, collaborative project, theories, practice and protocols of working in the public realm, and a research project. Year 4 (BA Hons): major research project, professional profile and major final project.

Career pathways

Practising artist, community arts, workshop artist, public and participatory art, art in health and education, collaborative practice and curating; progression to masters study such as Art Psychotherapy, Art and Social Practice, Museum and Heritage Studies, teacher training or UHI's MA Art and Social Practice.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Year 1 (HNC): 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above, or 1 A level at grade D or above; alternatively NC Art and Design or a Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media. Individual competence in art, design or lens-based skills shown by a portfolio is considered, and an interview may be required. Advanced entry: year 2 with HNC Contemporary Art Practice (B or above in the Graded Unit) or equivalent; year 3 with HND Contemporary Art Practice (Graded Unit B or above) or equivalent. Category 2 PVG course (membership needed for certain optional modules). International applicants: HNC/HND years require IELTS Academic 5.5 overall with no element below 5.0 (or LanguageCert B2 SELT 60/55 for Student Route applicants); degree-level entry requires IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no element below 5.5, or an approved equivalent.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,285 a year (2026/27). Scotland-domiciled students, Years 1-2 (HNC/HND), full-time Source

International applicants: GBP 9,460 a year (2026/27). Years 1-2 (HNC/HND), full-time, term-time address in Scotland Source

Intake: September

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

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