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BA (Hons) Geography and History

University of the Highlands & Islands, United Kingdom
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Course Overview

Geography is the study of the Earth and the link between physical and human landscapes, it explores the relationships between people, place, and the environment, and how these vary between places; History is the study of the past and investigates the cultural, political, social and economic history of Britain, Europe and the Atlantic World.

Combining these subjects will allow you to fully explore how the world has changed, is changing, and how it will change in the future.
Through Geography, you will look at issues such as land use, planning and development, globalization, climate change, energy, and tourism, to examine human relationships with the environment. Through History, you will first follow a broad approach to the study of history from the medieval to the modern period, before examining in-depth particular topics of history, and specific places, periods, and themes that utilize the research specialisms of your teaching team.

Geography 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.  Each year, you will also build on your historical analytical and research abilities through a series of skills modules.

General Eligibility

  • 3 Scottish Highers at grades BBC or above or

  • 2 A levels at grades BC or above

  • At least 2 should be from the list of required subjects

    Additional qualifications and experiences will be considered on an individual basis

Advanced entry

  • HNC Social Science (12 SCQF credits) with 3 additional SCQF 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

Part Time Work Details

20 hours work permit for international students

What You'll Study

1 Year 1 - CertHE

Geography

You will study the following modules: 

  • Introduction to human geography (S2) 

  • Overview of energy use (S1) 

History

You will study the following core module: 

  • What is history? (S1) 

Plus, 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) 

You will also choose two further option modules from other humanities subjects (including the history options above).

 

2 Year 2 - DipHE

Geography

You will study the following modules: 

  • Atmosphere, weather and climate (S2) 

  • Introduction to geographical information systems (S2) 

History

You will study the following core skills 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

You will also choose two further option modules from other humanities subjects (including the history options above).

 

3 Year 3 - BA

You will study one of the following modules:

  • Advanced Social Research Methods (S1)

  • Public history (S2)

You will also study a further five modules from those listed below, ensuring a balance of three History and three Geography modules in total. You may take one Scottish History module in place of one History module.

Geography

Option modules may include:

  • Assessment of the environmental impacts of development (S2)

  • Climate change (S1)

  • Sustainable tourism and the environment (S2) OR Advanced social research methods (S1)

History

Option modules may include: 

  • A study of things: material culture of medieval and early modern Europe 

  • The 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 specialize in Scottish History at Level 10 and exit with a BA (Hons) in Geography and Scottish History are advised to take at least one Scottish history module, plus undertake a Scottish topic for their Public History project, or two Scottish history options.

4 Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete a dissertation in either Geography or History.

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

Geography

Modules may include:

  • Sustainable energy and waste minimisation (S1)

  • Geo-political Development Issues (S1)

  • Sustainable agriculture systems (S2)

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) in Geography and Scottish History, you must undertake a Scottish history dissertation plus one further Scottish history or history module OR, if you are undertaking a Geography dissertation, two of the three History modules must be in Scottish history topics.  

Language Requirement

  • IELTS6.0
  • TOEFL80
  • PTE58
  • Duolingo00
  • Applicants must have an IELTS score- 6.0 or equivalent

  • English (PTE) Academic-58 average with 51 in each component

  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT4-Min 80 or above with min 18 in each section

Ready to get started?

For any enquiries or further details, please don't hesitate to contact us. Let's take the next step in your academic journey together.

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