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

Programme overview

A four-year online honours degree combining sustainable development with politics. Students explore climate change, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and community-based approaches to sustainability, particularly in rural communities, alongside politics 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 Ideas and ideologies in politics, with options such as The evolving politics of the British Isles. Year 2 adds Comparative politics and History of political ideas options, and later years include Challenging liberal democracy, Devolution, federalism and territorial politics and European politics. Students complete a dissertation in either sustainable development or politics.

Career pathways

Government departments and development agencies, local authority political and economic departments, community enterprises and community energy groups, community land initiatives, natural and rural heritage organisations, the voluntary sector, international NGOs, uniformed services, electoral administration, assisting politicians, the trade union movement and political party administration.

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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