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

Programme overview

This joint honours degree studies the social and political world through a range of themes, methods and subjects, investigating issues such as poverty, crime, terror and freedom. It is delivered online with scheduled video conference lectures and tutorials, full-time or part-time. The combination of two complementary subjects gives flexibility in employment, advanced study and research.

Duration: 4 years full-time; 8 years part-time (structured) | Intake: January; September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 core modules: Ideas and ideologies in politics, Making social lives: the Highlands and Islands, and Understanding the social world, plus a politics option. Year 2: Belief, culture and community and Sociological theory, with politics options such as Comparative politics and History of political ideas. Year 3 includes Advanced social research methods, Sociology: contemporary Scottish issues and Work and society. Year 4 is a dissertation in sociology or politics with options such as Geopolitics, Political theory and Terrorism and unconventional warfare.

Career pathways

Graduates can consider teaching and research, television and media, social policy in national and local government, and marketing. Graduates can progress to postgraduate research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD).

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 (structured)

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