History and Sociology BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

The BA (Hons) History and Sociology covers a range of approaches, from thematic modules that cover a variety of places and historical periods, to concentrated and in-depth studies of the development, structure, and functioning of human society.

Each year, you will build on your analytical and research abilities through a series of skills modules in both History and Sociology. 

You can also choose to specialise in Scottish History at the upper levels and graduate with a BA (Hons) Scottish History and Sociology degree. 

Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.

Special features

• The joint honours degree in two complementary subjects will give you greater flexibility in employment, advanced study and research opportunities
• 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
• You can specialise in Scottish History at the upper levels to enable you to exit with a Scottish History and Sociology degree 
• The humanities staff at UHI specialise in high quality video-conference teaching supported by a dynamic virtual learning environment and expansive online resources 
• There are opportunities to volunteer at local museums and archives, and occasional voluntary field trips in the university's region also enhance the experience of your degree
• Exciting new modules based on staffs' cutting-edge research are offered at upper level

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
• This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Advanced entry to year two:

• HNC Social Sciences (12 SQA credits) with 3 additional SQA 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

History

You will study the following core module: 

• What is history? (S1) 

Plus, a choice of one 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) 

Sociology

You will study the following two core modules:

• The enquiring student (S1)
• Making social lives (S2)

You will study two further option modules from a range of history, politics, criminology and other humanities subjects.

Year 2 - DipHE

History

You will study the following core module:

• Historians and history (S2)

Plus, a choice of one of the following three 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

Sociology

You will also study the following core modules:

• Sociological theory (S1)
• Beliefs, culture and community (S2)

You will study two further option modules from a range of history, politics, criminology and other humanities subjects. 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 one of your options. Please contact historyhelp@uhi.ac.uk to discuss this further.

Year 3 - BA

You will study one of the two core project modules: 

• Public history (S2) OR Advanced social research methods (S1)

You will also study a further five option modules, ensuring a balance of three History modules and three Sociology modules in total.

History

Modules may include:

• Clash of civilisations: the Crusades, 1096-1198
•  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 are advised to take at least one Scottish History option, plus undertake a Scottish topic for your Public History project, or two Scottish History options if you are not taking Public History.

Sociology

Modules may include:

• Work and society (S1)
• Sociology: contemporary Scottish issues (S2)
• Frontiers, landscapes and journeys (S2)

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete a dissertation in history or sociology.

You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject plus three option modules from the other subject. Please see notes below if you wish to specialise in Scottish History.

History

Modules may include:

• Fight the power: music and the politics of Black America
• War cruel and sharp: a military history of the Hundred Years' War
• Death and destruction: the social impact of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)
• Lordship, colony, kingdom: the making of Ireland
• Reaching the estate of manhood in late Medieval and early modern Europe
• The Norman diaspora: conquest, colonisation and assimilation
• The empire strikes back: how the British Empire shaped Scotland  
• Noble, rebel, king: Robert Bruce and medieval Scotland 
• The Highland land wars: origins, aftermath and interpretations 

If you wish to exit with a BA (Hons) Scottish History and Sociology degree you must undertake a Scottish History dissertation plus one further Scottish history or history module, OR if you are undertaking a Sociology dissertation, two of the three History modules must be in Scottish History.

Sociology

Modules may include:

• Network society: mass media and the information age (S1)
• Insiders and outsiders in society (S2)
• Our digital future (S2)
• Restorative justice (S2)
• Cultural criminology (S1)

Fees

Find out more about fees, fee waivers and funding options.

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 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.