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

Programme overview

A four-year online honours degree combining sustainable development with history. Students explore climate change, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and community-based approaches to sustainability, particularly in rural communities, alongside history modules.

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

What you will study

Year 1 combines Exploring economics in a changing world, Understanding sustainable development and What is history?, with history options such as A Middle Age? Europe c.1100-1500 or Empire, environment and identity: Scotland, 1600-2000. Year 2 adds Historians and history and further history options, and later years include modules such as Jacobites: patriots, rebels or opportunists? Students complete a dissertation in either sustainable development or history.

Career pathways

Government departments and development agencies, local authority economic development, community enterprises and community energy groups, community land initiatives, natural and rural heritage organisations, museums and heritage, archives and libraries, the voluntary sector, international NGOs, business research and student association roles.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

3 Scottish Highers at BBC or above, or 2 A levels at BC or above, with at least two from the list of relevant academic subjects. Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience are considered individually. Direct entry to year 2: HNC Social Sciences (12 SQA credits plus 3 additional SQA credits at level 7, with at least grade C in the Graded Unit) or NextGen HNC Social Sciences (15 SQA credits at SCQF level 7). Direct entry to year 3 (case by case): HND Social Sciences (30 SQA credits with at least grades AB in the level 8 Graded Units) or NextGen HND Social Sciences (15 SQA credits at SCQF level 8, achieved with Distinction). If year 3 entry is not appropriate, year 2 entry is offered. International applicants: IELTS Academic overall 6.0 with no element below 5.5 (or an approved equivalent test).

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,820 a year (2026/27). Scotland-domiciled students with a term-time address in Scotland (includes EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status); full-time Source

International applicants: GBP 7,505 a year (2026/27). Studying online from home country (or in the UK assessed as international for fee status); full-time Source

Intake: January; September

Duration: Full time: 4 years; part time: 8 years

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