Sociology and Politics BA (Hons)
Course code L30P
What is special about this course?
If you are interested in the social and political world, the BA (Hons) Sociology and Politics gives you the opportunity to study a range of subjects to increase your knowledge of people, politics and society.
You will study a range of themes, methods and subjects, investigating important social and political issues such as poverty, crime, terror and freedom.
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
- You can study full time or part time to suit your personal circumstances
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
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 academic 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 Science (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.
Year 1 - CertHE
Core modules are:
- Evolving politics of the British Isles
- Introduction to politics OR Ideas and ideologies in politics
- Making social lives
- Understanding the social world
You will also choose two option modules from our range of humanities subjects.
Year 2 - DipHE
Core modules are:
- History of political ideas
- Qualitative research methods
- Sociological theory OR Belief, culture and communities
- Scottish politics before and after the independence referendum
You will also choose two option modules from our range of humanities subjects.
Year 3 - BA
Core modules are:
- Advanced social research methods
- Sociology: contemporary Scottish issues
- Work and society
Plus two additional politics modules from the following:
- British military history in the 20th Century
- Challenging liberal democracy: political ideas in a changing world
- Devolution, federalism and territorial politics
- European politics
- Political sociology (subject to numbers)
- Wars in the promised land
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
You will complete a dissertation in sociology or politics.
You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject plus three option modules from the other subject.
Sociology
- Insiders and outsiders in society
- Restorative justice
- Understanding crime
- Visual research (subject to numbers)
Politics
- Geopolitics: territory, security, strategy
- Political theory
- Terrorism and unconventional warfare
- Transforming regimes in Eastern Europe
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
- Part-time (structured): 8 years
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll
- HTC
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides
- Orkney
- Perth
- Shetland
- This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the world
- Students based near to one of the listed campuses should apply to, and be enrolled and supported by, their local campus
- All other students should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, UHI Perth
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.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,120 | £6,420 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,020 | £1,070 |
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK studying online from their home country, or living in the UK but assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:
This includes EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK and EEA and Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,960 | £7,080 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,160 | £1,180 |
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.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your BA (Hons) Sociology and Politics course there are a variety of careers you might like to consider. Here is just a taster of the kind of opportunities available to you:
- Teaching and research
- Television and media
- Social policy in national and local government
- Marketing
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Apply for Sociology and Politics BA (Hons)
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.