Marine and Coastal Tourism BA (Hons)

Course code F7N8

What is special about this course?

How do we use our seas and coastlines to generate sustainable income? What impact does tourism have and what are the challenges of developing it sustainably within the wider context of the marine sector? 

Learn all of this and more in this amazing interactive course, with activities including snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing (dinghy and yacht), power boating, paddle sports (sea kayak and stand up paddle boarding), surfing, and coasteering. Develop excellent personal and leadership skills, with a focus on activity development, response to climate change, environmental and conservation objectives, the role of coastal communities in the development of tourism, management of customer expectations, and behaviours and analysis of marine sector legislation, from both a UK and international perspective. 

Special features

  • Strong links with many marine and coastal-based businesses in Scotland and throughout the UK
  • Apply cutting edge theory and research to the exciting and dynamic tourism sector
  • Excellent, optional work-based placement and exchange opportunities around the UK and abroad
  • Integrated practical programme to enhance your skills and experience in marine and coastal activities
  • Possibility to gain instructor qualifications endorsed by National Governing Bodies
  • Be part of a vibrant and active student community of outdoor enthusiasts based in Fort William – within the Outdoor Capital of the UK and with access to the Argyll Coast and Islands Hope Spot
  • Easy transfer options available between adventure programmes within the School of Adventure Studies: BA (Hons) Adventure Education; BSc (Hons) Adventure Performance and Coaching; and BA (Hons) Adventure Tourism Management
  • UHI North, West and Hebrides, Fort William campus, is now a British Sub Aqua Club snorkel centre and our snorkel instructors are accredited by BSAC
  • Opportunity to plan and carry out a significant expedition, with a discovery and research focus (previous destinations include the Lofoten Islands Norway 2017, Iceland and Sicily 2018, and Malta 2019). Fundraising and gaining sponsorship are part of this process
  • Access to outstanding facilities set amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK
  • Involvement in Adopt a Business, leading to opportunities for student work placements within the marine and coastal tourism sector 
  • Optional context classes to enhance the programme 

Accommodation

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

Entry requirements

For September 2025, entry to this course is only available in year 4. 

  • Entry to year 4 may be possible with a closely aligned* foundation or Honours degree with relevant experience. Applicants will be considered on an individual basis and may be required to attend an interview
  • This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

*Applicants with experience or qualifications in areas such as marine environment, responsible tourism, and the rural and coastal economy of Scotland, will be considered on an individual basis, providing they can demonstrate the ability to work at the relevant academic level

For International students requiring Student Route sponsorship

  • Please note that international students with a Student Route visa can only take part in sports activities or as part of a work placement, as an amateur and not as a professional or semi-professional. You will not be allowed to become a member of a professional sports association while a student. This is due to ‘professional sportsperson’ restrictions imposed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as outlined in their Student Route Policy Guidance.

Year 1 - CertHE

For September 2025, entry to this course is only available in year 4.

Year 2 - DipHE

For September 2025, entry to this course is only available in year 4.

Year 3 - BA

For September 2025, entry to this course is only available in year 4. 

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

Core modules are:

  • Critical perspectives of marine and coastal tourism
  • Emergent tourism trends

You will also choose two option modules which may include:

  • Cold island tourism
  • Sustainability, past and present
  • Inclusive adventure
  • Work placement, professional practice

You must also complete one of the following: dissertation; research and plan a new business; or a professional project

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • You will learn through a combination of face-to-face lectures and tutorials in the classroom, with some teaching by video conference from other university campuses, and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE)
  • You will also have the opportunity of increasing your skills through practical experiential learning. The main practical disciplines included are snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing (dinghy and yacht), power boating, paddle sports (sea kayak and stand up paddle boarding), surfing and coasteering, with a wide range of progression and application of theories at all year levels

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 1 year @ 40 hours per week (BA (Hons) only)

Where can I study my course?

  • North, West and Hebrides - Fort William campus

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.
Degrees 2023-24 2024-25
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 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 2023-24 2024-25
Year 1 CertHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 2 DipHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 3 Degree £9,250 £9,250
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) - £1,542.

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 confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. 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.

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

Year Level 2023-24 Full-time With scholarship 2024-25 Full-time
With scholarship
Year 1 CertHE £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 2 DipHE £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 3 Degree £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 4 Honours £13,980 Free £14,988 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:

  2023-24 2024-25
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £13,980 £14,988
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year** £6,990 £7,494
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module)** £2,330 £2,498

Part-time study is not open to international students 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

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

  • We have an extensive equipment stores for use by students on session, but do not provide personal clothing, excepting wetsuits

  • For some field trips, we may expect you to cover your own food while away. Transport, instruction and entry fees are usually covered

  • The optional International Expeditions module is a major undertaking, and will usually involve either fundraising, or personal contribution, over and above funding provided by UHI. Cost will depend largely on your destination and ambitions. How to finance an expedition is part of the taught content, and you will be supported through the process

  • Essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and specialist equipment can be accessed from our comprehensive stores but you will need to purchase your own personal clothing and footwear for most activities, with the exception of wetsuits. If you choose to join an international expedition you should budget up to £1000 to ensure you have sufficient funds. Please check our website for further details and costs relating to the course.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider the following career paths:

  • Crew on sailing yachts
  • Driving the change within national tourism boards or government
  • Developing sustainable marine and coastal tourism business models
  • Becoming a future marine tourism leader
  • Create and design new sustainable marine tourism products and services
  • Innovate blue economy solutions for tourism, climate change and coastal communities
  • Guiding, coaching and instructing marine and coastal outdoor activities
  • Working in any of the various aspects of the marine and coastal industry – marinas, marine wildlife tourism, adventure tourism, outdoor education, leading tourist experiences in the UK or internationally

Can I progress into further study?

You can progress from the BA (Hons) Marine and Coastal Tourism to the following university postgraduate course: 

Is there more information available online?

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I chose this degree because I was inspired by the variety of opportunities that were available, covering my interest in the marine environment and the tourism industry. Over three years, I experienced amazing practicals through the weekly context class, access to online courses which were both interesting and inspiring, a bike-pack expedition in the Outer Hebrides. I then consolidated all my learning in fourth year. I chose to complete a research dissertation which has been an exciting journey inspiring my next steps. I would recommend this degree to anyone hoping for amazing opportunities and fascinating content covering a wide range of subjects. During my time at university, I have gained various outdoor qualifications such as Sea Kayak Leader, Stand Up Paddle-board Leader and Day Skipper.
I have applied to study at Masters level within the field of Sustainable Tourism. This is an exciting new step in my career which has been inspired by the degree. I would like to work in regional tourism management or within tourism policy to help Scottish tourism prosper and sustainably develop.

Angus Hulbert is in his Honours year on the BA (Hons) Marine and Coastal Tourism at UHI West Highland.

I am in my third year and really enjoying the degree. 
I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the marine world especially with marine tourism developing fast all over the world. It can help you get where you want to be since it is the only one of its kind. We can go out and see what we are learning in the real world and speak to people in various marine industries. Due to small class size, you can really pick the lecturer’s brain about topics, and they get to know you well and can help you develop your interests further. There are essays and presentations to do but you also can also develop your practical skills with National Governing Bodies (NGB) awards in paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking and more. My plans include finishing study and becoming a professional diver with a specialism in underwater photography/videography and hopefully there will be sharks mixed in there somehow.

Rachel La Roche is studying BA (Hons) Marine and Coastal Tourism at UHI West Highland.

Apply for Marine and Coastal Tourism BA (Hons)

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2025

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.