History with Gaelic Studies BA (Hons)
Course code V21G
What is special about this course?
The History element of this degree will allow you to examine, in detail, key themes in history from the medieval period to the present day. You will have the opportunity to analyse social, cultural, economic, political and demographic change within Scotland, and its links with Britain, Europe and the wider world.
This degree will also allow you to do more than just study History, as it gives those with an interest in Gaelic language, culture and society the opportunity to take optional modules in these areas and have this recognised in their degree award.
Delivered by a blended learning format, students will benefit from collaborative discussions and activities with colleagues from a range of diverse backgrounds and experiences, facilitated by tutors with many years of experience in delivering online education. Each year, you will also build on your analytical and research abilities through a series of skills modules.
Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.
Special features
- This degree combines study of the history of Scotland, the wider British Isles, Europe and the North Atlantic world with the opportunity to learn or develop Gaelic language skills
- The Gaelic Studies element also complements the Highlands and Islands history strand that runs through the History part of the programme
- You can specialise in Scottish History at the upper levels to enable you to exit with a Scottish History with Gaelic Studies degree
- Flexible study options will allow you to fit your studies around your personal circumstances
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
- You will benefit from access to recognised experts on the academic staff in both disciplines, whose own research interests are reflected in the modules they teach
- The Centre for History holds regular research seminars to which students are welcome
- There are opportunities to volunteer at local museums and archives, and occasional (voluntary) field trips in the university's region enhance the experience of your degree
Entry requirements
- 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 academic subjects
- Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
Advanced entry:
- Direct entry to year 2 may be possible with 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
Access routes
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.
Year 1 - CertHE
You will study the following core modules:
- Gaelic for learners 1a
- Gaelic for learners 1b
- What is history?
You will also choose two history option modules, which may include:
- A Middle Age? Europe c.1100‐1500
- Empire, environment and identity: Scotland, 1600-2000
- People, protest and power: themes in modern British history, 1780-1918
You will also choose one option module from our range of humanities and social science subjects.
Year 2 - DipHE
You will study the following core modules:
- Folklore
- Historians and history
- Introduction to Gaelic poetry
You will also choose two history option modules, which may include:
- A curious age: European society and culture
- Court, kirk and burgh in medieval and early modern Scotland
- Themes in American history
You will also choose one further option module from our range of humanities and social science subjects.
Year 3 - BA
You will study the following core modules:
- Language policy and planning
- Public history
- Traditional Gaelic culture
You will also choose three history option modules, which may include:
- Conquerors, crusaders and churchmen: the world of the Normans, c.911-c.1204
- Dynastic decline and religious violence: Valois France, 1550-1610
- Jacobites: patriots, rebels or opportunists?
- Land as power: the making of the modern Scottish landscape from the eighteenth to the twenty-first centuries
- Scots in North America: experience and identity
- Study of things: material culture of medieval and early modern Europe
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
You will complete the following core modules:
- Dissertation (History)
- Language policy in the workplace
- Traditional Gaelic culture in the 21st century
You will also choose two History option modules which may include:
- Death and destruction: the social impact of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)
- Deviants, rebels, outcasts and villains: history from the margins in medieval and early modern society
- Empire and ‘others’: the shaping of British imperialism in North America
- Reaching the ‘estate of manhood’ in medieval and early modern Europe
- The empire strikes back: how the British empire shaped Scotland
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Part-time modular (standalone modules)
- This course is mainly delivered online with scheduled sessions and tutorials, including a weekly two-hour timetabled video conference lecture for each module
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You may also be able to access sessions online from your local campus - please contact them directly for more information
- You may have the opportunity to undertake an optional residential at least once during the programme of study
- You will take part in a mandatory online induction in late August/early September of your first year. There may also be additional mandatory induction activities at the start of the academic year, in-person at your local campus or online, organised by your partner campus
- You will also have the option to take part in online inductions in September of years 2-4 and January of years 1-4, with the potential to attend at your local campus (on request)
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ up to 20 hours per week
- Part-time modular: 12-14 weeks per module (incl. assessment period) @ 13-14 hours per week
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll
- HTC
- North, West and Hebrides
- Orkney
- Shetland
- UHI House - Centre for History
- This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the world
Choosing a location:
- If you are based near to one of the listed locations, you can apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, your local campus
- All other students should apply to UHI House, you will be enrolled and supported by our team at UHI Centre for History
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
Rest of the UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,120 | £6,420 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,020 | £1,070 |
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK studying online from their home country, or living in the UK but assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:
This includes EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK and EEA and Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,960 | £7,080 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,160 | £1,180 |
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
- Participation in any History field trips or face-to-face activities will be at your own expense. Costs will vary dependent on student location etc. Attendance at such face to face events is optional and not essential for completion of the course.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed the the BA (Hons) History with Gaelic Studies or BA (Hons) Scottish History with Gaelic Studies, you might like to consider careers in:
- Teaching
- Research
- Media
- Politics
- Consultancy
- Archives and museums
- Government agencies and local authorities
- Tourism and heritage management
Can I progress into further study?
For information about further study options, please see our list of Postgraduate progression routes from Humanities degrees.
We also offer a range of postgraduate research degrees: MRes, MPhil and PhD.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I was still quite young when I finished school so although I did consider other universities, I decided to stay close to home. During my final year I was awarded the Highland Society of London prize which is presented to the best undergraduate dissertation in the Humanities and Gaelic network across the Highlands and Islands.
It was a huge honour to be given that prize and I'm grateful to my UHI mentor who supported me all the way. My advice to potential applicants would be to do it! Everything you could possibly imagine is within UHI and you can gain the qualification that you want while staying local.
Caitlin studied History at UHI Argyll.
I quickly realised that UHI provided the flexible learning opportunities and variety of content which fitted very neatly with both my interests and my lifestyle. The encouragement, support, advice and guidance – both collectively and individually – have been truly amazing.
My advice would be to explore everything that UHI has to offer prospective students of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. The diversity of opportunities is matched by the breadth and depth of teaching experience and indeed the energy and enthusiasm of the students themselves; this partnership makes studying at UHI a unique and wholly rewarding experience.
This experience has been truly life-changing and I will forever be grateful for the opportunities afforded to me by UHI staff and fellow students.
Scott studies the BA (Hons) History at UHI Perth.
Apply for History with Gaelic Studies 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.