History and Literature BA (Hons)
UCAS code V21L
What is special about this course?
The joint honours degree in history and literature allows you to turn your passion for the past and for writing into an interesting career.
The BA (Hons) History and Literature covers a range of approaches, from thematic modules that cover a variety of places and historical periods, to concentrated and in-depth studies of a particular group of authors or periods of history.
Over two-thirds of the research conducted by the Centre for History was rated at 4* and 3*, indicating ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, in the latest assessment of UK university research quality.
The impact of our research on the broader economy and society was ranked joint 8th, higher than Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh. We are also the highest ranked new History department in the UK.
Special features
- You will explore literature and history in a global context
- The degree can be studied full time or part time to suit your personal circumstances
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
Entry to year one:
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, or
- 2 A levels at grade BC or above
- At least two should be from the list of relevant subjects
- Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
Advanced entry to year two:
- HNC Social Science (12 SCQF credits) with 3 additional SCQF credits at level 7 which is equivalent to 120 degree credit points, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit will be considered for direct entry to year two
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
Other relevant humanities access courses will also be considered on an individual basis.
Year 1 - CertHE
You will study the following history modules:
- What is history? PLUS
- A middle age: Europe 1000-1500 OR
- People, power and protest: themes in modern British history
You will also study the following two literature modules:
- Theories of literature: an introduction
- Travellers in the wilderness: literature and the theme of exile
You will study two further option modules from a range of history, literature and other humanities subjects.
Year 2 - DipHE
You will study the following history modules:
- Historians and history PLUS
- Themes in American history OR
- A curious age: European society and culture, c1500-1750
You will also study two literature modules which may include:
- Male ideals and female desires in medieval poetry
- An introduction to Gaelic poetry
- Theatrical powerplay: classical and modern tragedy
- Heroic literature: epic from classical to contemporary
You will study two further option modules from a range of history, literature and other humanities subjects.
Year 3 - BA
If you want to complete a history dissertation in the honours year, you must study the core module Public History, otherwise you can choose up to three modules in History and three in Literature. You may choose one Scottish history module in place of one History module.
History modules may include:
- Queer Britannia: gender, sexuality and performative identities in Britain, 1800-1950
- A study of things: material culture of medieval and early modern Europe
- War and chivalry in medieval Britain and France
- Cultural centres and economic powerhouses: London, Hamburg and Amsterdam during the early modern period
- Alps, Hills and Plain? Central Europe to 1918
- Crime, custom and conflict, 1700-1850
Literature modules may include:
- Gaoir nam ban: Gaelic women's poetry 1644-1746
- Imagining new worlds: renaissance literature and thought
- Romantic genius: Scottish and European literature, 1750-1830
- Psychogeography and the city
- Modern times: popular culture and moderism
- Children's literature
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
You will complete a dissertation in history or literature.
You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject plus three option modules from the other subject. You may choose one Scottish history module in place of one History module.
History modules may include:
- War cruel and sharp: a military history of the Hundred Years' War
- Gender in American Culture and Society, 1776-1917
- Death and destruction: the social impact of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)
- Lordship, colony, kingdom: the making of Ireland
- Through a glass darkly: the medieval in film
Literature subjects may include:
- Pushing bourndaries
- Postmoderism
- Avant-garde literature
- Past and present: historiography
How will I study my course?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
As your course was designed using our blended learning approach and has run successfully for many years in this way, we can confirm that there will be limited change to how the course will be delivered this year. From September 2020, you will study online through a combination of video conference seminars, tutor-supported study and self-directed study using the university's virtual learning environment. You will also have an online induction at the start of the course. On-campus activities and opportunities for campus attendance will be introduced in line with the developing Scottish Government public health measures and guidance, including social distancing. Our priority is to provide a safe learning environment for all staff and students.- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will learn through a combination of face-to-face lectures and tutorials and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), with the support of your tutors. There is a weekly two-hour timetabled video conference lecture for each module which students should attend at their home campus
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes a weekly two-hour video conference seminar for each module, online tutor-supported study and self-directed study.
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll College UHI
- Highland Theological College UHI
- Inverness College UHI
- Lews Castle College UHI
- Moray College UHI
- North Highland College UHI - Dornoch and Thurso campuses
- Orkney College UHI
- Shetland College UHI
- West Highland College UHI
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
Degrees | 2020-21 | 2021-22 |
---|---|---|
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £645 | £645 |
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £215 | £215 |
Note: The Scottish Government set this fee which has not yet been confirmed for 2021-22 so may be subject to change.
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:
Full-time | Level | 2020-21 | 2021-22 |
---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | CertHE | £9,000 | £9,000 |
Year 2 | DipHE | £9,000 | £9,000 |
Year 3 | Degree | £9,000 | £9,000 |
Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,500.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government has confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals starting their study in Scotland from academic year 2021-22, who do not have settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. For 2021-22, students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Year | Level | 2021-22 Full-time | With scholarship |
Year 1 | HNC | £12,360 | £9,360 |
Year 2 | HND | £12,360 | £9,360 |
Year 3 | Degree | £12,360 | £9,360 |
Year 4 | Honours | Free | Free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
2020-21 | 2021-22 | |
---|---|---|
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £12,000 | £12,360 |
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year** | £6,000 | £6,180 |
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module)** | £2,000 | £2,060 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant university partner college for more information.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your BA (Hons) History and Literature, you might like to consider careers in:
- Teaching and education
- The media
- Publishing
- Creative arts
- Marketing and PR
- Government (local and national)
- Libraries and Archives
- Museums and the heritage sector
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from the BA (Hons) History and Literature to the following postgraduate courses;
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Apply for History and Literature BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.