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

Programme overview

BA (Hons) Geography and Politics is a four-year online joint degree that studies people, place and environment alongside political study, including borders, territory, conflict, nationalism, geopolitics and environmental politics. The politics modules follow international relations, comparative politics and applied politics, built on political theory. 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 ideas and ideologies in politics, introduction to human geography and understanding sustainable development, plus a politics option such as the evolving politics of the British Isles. Year 2 covers atmosphere, weather and climate and introduction to GIS plus two politics options such as comparative politics and the history of political ideas. Year 3 includes environmental impacts of development, climate change and modern political ideas. Year 4 is a dissertation in geography or politics with options such as geopolitics, political theory and democratising Europe.

Career pathways

Government departments and development agencies, local authority economic development and planning, renewable energy and waste management, natural and rural heritage, tourism, agriculture, community enterprises, voluntary sector, international NGOs, uniformed services, electoral administration, assisting politicians, the trade union movement, political party administration, parliamentary work, the civil service, research, think tanks 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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