Geography and Archaeology

Geography is the study of the Earth and the link between physical and human landscapes. It explores the inter-relationships between people, place and the environment and how these vary across and between places. Archaeology is the study of our past and the remains that humanity has left behind. Our BA (Hons) Geography and Archaeology considers both the present and the past from a humanities and social science perspective, focusing on issues including patterns of land use, planning and development, sustainability and globalisation, and heritage and tourism, in order to examine human relationships with the environment both today and in the past.

A degree in geography and archaeology provides you with the knowledge and skills to understand many aspects of our rapidly changing world, equipping you to tackle real-world problems in a range of organisations and sectors, with the wide curriculum developing both specialist and transferable skills.

Geography and archaeology graduates are among the most employable, with skills developed in presenting ideas in reports and oral presentations, in data collection and analysis, and in the use of specialist mapping and statistical software.

The knowledge and skills taught in this course are of relevance to many areas of employment, including: renewable energy; energy efficiency; cultural heritage management; travel and tourism; rural and community development; agriculture; local government; planning; logistics; and environmental agencies. A significant number of graduates also move on to careers in finance, marketing and law, or to further postgraduate study, teaching and research.

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

Please note this course is delivered entirely online and available to study from anywhere in the world. Applicants outwith Scotland including International, should apply to the UHI North, West and Hebrides study location.

Module outline

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Introduction to archaeology: approaches and methods

• Introduction to human geography

• Understanding sustainable development

You will also choose one archaeology option module, which may include:

• Introduction to science in archaeology

• Prehistoric Europe: Neanderthals to the Iron Age

• Reading the landscape through time

• World archaeology: politics and perspectives

You will also choose two option modules from our range of humanities and social science subjects.

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Atmosphere, weather and climate

• Being an archaeologist in Scotland

• Introduction to geographical information systems (GIS)

You will also choose one archaeology option module, which may include:

• Digital heritage

• Excavation skills

• Reading the landscape through time

• Wetland archaeology

You will also choose three further option modules from our range of humanities and social science subjects, which for this programme includes our optional international field trip module, 'Sustainable development approaches in an international context'.

Year 3 - BA

You will study the following core modules:

• Archaeological theory and interpretation

• Understanding archaeological science

You will also choose at least two geography option modules, which may include:

• Climate science

• Community-based economic development

• Globalisation and sustainable development

• Sustainable tourism and the environment

PLUS

• Advanced social research methods OR

• Archaeology project

You will choose one further module from one of your two subject areas to ensure that you have a total of three modules from each half of your degree, with archaeology options which may include:

• Archaeology placement

• Historical archaeology of the Highlands and Islands

• Practical skills for environmental archaeology

• Prehistory of the Highlands and Islands

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete a dissertation in geography OR archaeology. You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject, plus three option modules from the other subject.

Geography option modules may include:

• Agroecology: regenerative food systems

• Consumerism and the circular economy

• Geo-political development issues

• Social enterprise and the social economy

Archaeology option modules may include:

• Biomolecular archaeology

• Iron Age Scotland c 800 BC – AD 800

• Landscape archaeology

• People, plants and animals

• Sustainability past and future

• Vikings and Norse archaeology in the North Atlantic

This outline reflects the modules as currently delivered and is subject to change.

For more information on what you’ll study on your degree, as well as our range of other degree options, please explore our Humanities subject area page on our website.