History and Criminology BA (Hons)
Course code V21C
What is special about this course?
The BA (Hons) History and Criminology 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 changing nature of crime and the social, political, historical and individual forces behind these changes.
Each year, you will build on your analytical and research abilities through a series of skills modules in both History and Criminology.
You can also choose to specialise in Scottish History at the upper levels and graduate with a BA (Hons) Scottish History and Criminology degree.
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 Criminology 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 modules:
- What is history? (S1)
Plus, a choice of one of the following modules:
- People, power and protest: themes in modern British history (S1)
- A middle age: Europe 1000-1500 (S2)
- Empire, environment and identity: Scotland 1600-2000 (S2)
Criminology
You will also study the following modules:
- Understanding the social world (S1)
- Introduction to criminological theory (S2)
You will choose two further option modules from a range of history, criminology, politics and other humanities subjects.
Year 2 - DipHE
History
You will study the following core modules:
- Historians and history (S2)
PLUS one of the following:
- A curious age: European society and culture, c1500-1750 (S1)
- Court, kirk and burgh in Medieval and Early Modern Scotland
- Themes in American history
Criminology
You will study the following core modules:
- History of crime and punishment (S1)
- Practical research and analysis skills (S2)
You will choose two further option modules from a range of history, Scottish history, criminology, politics and other humanities subjects.
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 Criminology 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, and undertake a Scottish topic for your Public History project, or two Scottish History options if you are not taking Public History.
Criminology
Modules may include:
- Psychology of criminal justice (S1)
- Victimology (S1)
- Strange cases: crime literature and the construction of crime (S2)
- Gender, crime and justice (S2)
- Understanding violence in sport (S2)
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
You will complete a dissertation in History or Criminology. This is a double-credit module that runs across both semesters.
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:
- 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 and Criminology degree you must undertake a Scottish History dissertation plus one further Scottish history or history module, OR, if you are undertaking a Criminology dissertation, two of the three History modules must be in Scottish History.
Criminology
Modules may include:
- Cultural criminology (S1)
- Globalisation of crime (S1)
- Restorative justice (S2)
- The darker side of the internet (S2)
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will learn through a combination of scheduled video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors. There is normally a weekly two-hour timetabled video conference lecture for each module.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes a weekly two-hour video conference seminar for each module, online tutor-supported study and self-directed study.
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll
- HTC
- Inverness
- Moray
- North Highland - Dornoch and Thurso campuses
- Orkney
- Outer Hebrides
- Perth
- Shetland
- West Highland
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.
2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
---|---|---|
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £645 | £915 |
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £215 | £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:
2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
---|---|---|
Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,120 | £6,120 |
Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,020 | £1,020 |
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.
2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
---|---|---|
Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,480 | £6,540 |
Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,080 | £1,090 |
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 field trips or face-to-face activities will be at your own expense. Costs will vary dependent on your 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 BA (Hons) History and Criminology or BA (Hons) Scottish History and Criminology you might like to consider careers in:
- Teaching and education
- The media and journalism
- Government (local and national)
- Museums and the heritage sector
- Libraries and archives
- Community development work
- Police, prison and security services
- Court services
- Non-profit-making organisations
- Educational institutions and charities that work with young offenders or victims of crime
- Research at postgraduate level
- Research in the business and corporate sector
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from the BA (Hons) History and Criminology or BA (Hons) Scottish History and Criminology to the following postgraduate courses:
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Apply for History and Criminology BA (Hons)
Please note that UHI North Highland, UHI Outer Hebrides and UHI West Highland will be changing their names to become UHI North, West and Hebrides in August 2023, subject to Scottish Government approval. This will not impact on your choice of course or how and where you will study.
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.