BA (Hons) Geography and History at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

BA (Hons) Geography and History is a four-year online joint degree that studies how the world has changed through geography and through the cultural, political, social and economic history of Britain, Europe and the Atlantic World. Students can specialise in Scottish History to exit with a Geography and Scottish History degree. It can be studied from anywhere in the world, full or part time.

Duration: Full time: 4 years; part time: 8 years; part time modular: 12-14 weeks per module | Intake: January; September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 core modules are introduction to human geography, understanding sustainable development and what is history?, plus a history option such as A Middle Age? Europe c.1100-1500. Year 2 covers atmosphere, weather and climate, historians and history and introduction to GIS. Year 3 combines geography and history options such as the Normans, Jacobites and Scots in North America with advanced social research methods or public history. Year 4 is a dissertation in geography or history with further options in both.

Career pathways

Government departments and development agencies, local authority planning, renewable energy and waste management, natural and rural heritage, the museum and heritage sector, archive and library sector, tourism, agriculture, community enterprises, voluntary sector, international NGOs, business research, postgraduate study and teaching.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, or 2 A levels at grade BC or above, with at least two from the published list of relevant academic subjects. Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience are considered individually. Advanced entry to year 2: HNC Social Sciences (12 SQA credits plus 3 additional SQA credits at level 7 and at least grade C in the Graded Unit) or NextGen HNC Social Sciences (15 SQA credits at SCQF level 7). Advanced entry to year 3: HND Social Sciences (30 SQA credits with at least grades AB in the level 8 graded units) or NextGen HND Social Sciences (achieved with Distinction), considered case by case. International applicants: IELTS Academic overall 6.0 with no component below 5.5 (or an approved equivalent); applicants from majority English-speaking countries or with a recent UK degree or GCSE/A-level English may not need a test. Open to international applicants studying online from overseas.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,820 a year (2026/27). Students normally domiciled in Scotland; full-time, 120 credits per year Source

International applicants: GBP 7,505 a year (2026/27). Full-time online, 120 credits per year; fully online study from outside the UK, not eligible for a Student Route Visa Source

Intake: January; September

Duration: Full time: 4 years; part time: 8 years; part time modular: 12-14 weeks per module

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