History with Gaelic Studies BA (Hons)

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 'History Talks Live' seminars, which you are welcome to attend in person or online
• 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

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

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

History

You will study the following core module:

• What is history? (S1)

PLUS a choice of two of the following modules:

• People, protest and power: themes in modern British history (S1)
• A middle age? Europe c. 1100-1500 (S2)
• Empire, environment and identity: Scotland 1600-2000 (S2)

Gaelic Studies

You will also study:

• Gaelic for learners 1a (S1)
• Gaelic for learners 1b (S2)

If you are a fluent Gaelic speaker, Gaelic medium modules may be available. 

You will choose one further option module from a range of history, literature, archaeology and other humanities subjects, including Gaelic Studies options, which may include:

• Gaelic story and song (S2)
• Introduction to Gaelic prose (S1)
• The Gaelic world 1 (S1)

Year 2 - DipHE

History

You will study the following core skills module:

• Historians and history (S2)

Plus a choice of two of the following modules:

• A curious age: European society and culture, 1500-1750 (S1)
• Court, kirk and burgh in Medieval and Early Modern Scotland 
• Themes in American history

Gaelic Studies

You will also study two modules that may include:

• Gaelic for learners 2a (S1)
• Gaelic for learners 2b (S2)

If you are a fluent Gaelic speaker, Gaelic medium modules may be available. 

You will choose one further option module from a range of history, literature, archaeology and other humanities subjects, including Gaelic studies - these may include:

• Folklore (S1)
• Introduction to Gaelic poetry (S1)
• Onomastics (S2)

Please note that if you are a direct entrant to second year, we strongly advise that you take the Level 7 core module, What is History?, as your option. Please contact historyhelp@uhi.ac.uk to discuss this further.

Year 3 - BA

History

You will undertake the following core module:

• Public history (S2)

Plus three modules which may include:

• A study of things: material culture of medieval and early modern Europe
• Alps, hills and plain? Central Europe to 1918
• Crime, custom and conflict, 1700-1850
• Crown-Magnate relations in later medieval Northern Scotland
• Queer Britannia: gender, sexuality and performative identities in Britain, 1800-1950
• Scots in North America
• The Jacobites: patriots, rebels or opportunists?
• War and chivalry in medieval Britain and France
• Dynastic decline and religious violence: Valois France, 1550-1610

Students wishing to specialise in Scottish History at Level 10 and exit with a BA (Hons) Scottish History with Gaelic Studies are advised to take at least one Scottish History option, plus undertake a Scottish topic for their Public History project, or two Scottish History options.

Gaelic Studies

You will also study two modules which may include: 

• Gaoir nam ban: Gaelic women's poetry 1644-1746 (S2)
• Language policy and planning 1 (S2)
• Nationalism and national identity (S2)
• Traditional Gaelic culture (S1)

If you are a fluent Gaelic speaker, Gaelic medium modules may be available.

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

In fourth year, you will be required to undertake a dissertation in History. This is a double-credit module that runs across both semesters.

History

You will also choose two options that may include:

• Death and destruction: the social impact of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)  
• Fight the power: music and the politics of Black America
• The Scottish Highlands before Culloden (1603-1707)
• Chaos and conflict?: 'Civil Wars' in high medieval Scandinavia
• Reaching the estate of manhood in later medieval and early modern Europe 
• Noble, Rebel, King: Robert Bruce and medieval Scotland 
• The empire strikes back: how the British Empire shaped Scotland 
• The Highland wars: origins, aftermath and interpretations 
• War cruel and sharp: a military history of the Hundred Years' War 

If you wish to exit with a BA (Hons) Scottish History with Gaelic Studies, you must undertake a Scottish History dissertation plus at least one further Scottish History module. 

Gaelic Studies

You will also study two modules which may include: 

• Iarshader to Iraq (S1) 
• Language policy in the workplace (S2) 
• Traditional Gaelic Culture in the 21st Century (S1) 

If you are a fluent Gaelic speaker, Gaelic medium modules may be available.

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.

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:

International students

This course is not available to students domiciled outside of the UK or for international students (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study here. For students living in the UK and assessed as international for fee status, the following fees will apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

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.