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

Programme overview

BA (Hons) Geography is a four-year, mainly online degree that studies the links between people, place and environment from a humanities and social science perspective. It covers land use, planning and development, globalisation, climate change, energy and tourism, and builds skills in reports, data analysis, mapping and statistical software. It can be studied full or part time from anywhere in the world, with an optional field trip to Iceland.

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 climate, land and people, introduction to human geography and understanding sustainable development. Year 2 covers approaches to economic development, atmosphere, weather and climate and introduction to GIS. Year 3 includes advanced social research methods, climate change, community-based economic development, globalisation and sustainable development and sustainable tourism and the environment. Year 4 includes agroecology, consumerism and the circular economy, a dissertation, geo-political development issues and social enterprise and the social economy. Optional modules come from other humanities and social science subjects.

Career pathways

Government departments and development agencies, local authority economic development and planning, renewable energy, energy efficiency and waste management, natural and rural heritage organisations, tourism, agriculture, postgraduate study or research and teaching. The degree meets GTCS criteria for applying to the PGDE Secondary Education in Geography.

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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