BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

This online joint honours degree gives a grounding in sociology and criminology, covering why crime happens, how it is prevented and the social, political, historical and individual forces behind change. Local, national and global perspectives are compared, with a strong emphasis on research methods and a dissertation in year 4. Upper-level modules reflect staff research, including cybercrime and the networked society.

Duration: 4 years full-time; 8 years part-time; part-time modular up to 10 years | Intake: January; September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 core modules: Comparative institutions of justice, Introduction to criminological theory, Making social lives: the Highlands and Islands, and Understanding the social world. Year 2: Belief, culture and community, History of crime and punishment, Politics of policing and Sociological theory. Years 3 and 4 include Advanced social research, Victimology, Gender crime and justice, Cultural criminology, Globalisation of crime, The darker side of the internet and a dissertation in sociology or criminology.

Career pathways

Graduates can work in community development, prisons, teaching, social work, youth work, social policy and management, policing, research, local and central government, the NHS and charities working with vulnerable individuals. Progression routes include MSc Psychology Conversion, PgCert Research Methods, MSc Tourism and research degrees.

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 list of relevant academic subjects. Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience are considered individually. Advanced entry to year 2 with HNC Social Sciences (12 SQA credits plus 3 additional level 7 credits, at least grade C in the Graded Unit) or NextGen HNC Social Sciences (15 SQA credits at SCQF level 7, Achieved); advanced entry to year 3 with HND Social Sciences (30 SQA credits, grades AB in the level 8 graded units) or NextGen HND (Achieved with Distinction), considered case by case, otherwise year 2 entry is offered. SWAP Access courses are accepted. English language for international online applicants: IELTS Academic overall 6.0 with no element below 5.5, or CEFR B2 in all four components. Not eligible for a Student Route visa.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,820 a year (2026/27). Full-time, 120-credit year. Scotland-domiciled students with a Scottish term-time address (includes EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status and EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status) Source

International applicants: GBP 7,505 a year (2026/27). Full-time online, 120-credit year. Students not normally resident in the UK studying online from home, or living in the UK but assessed as international (includes EU/EEA/Swiss nationals without settled status). Source

Intake: January; September

Duration: 4 years full-time; 8 years part-time; part-time modular up to 10 years

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