THE University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is celebrating a milestone with more than 100 students having now studied its archaeology and local studies course since its launch in 2015.
Launched in 2015 by archaeology lecturer, Dr Mary MacLeod Rivett, the 12-week access course has provided a stepping stone for students to explore the rich archaeological landscapes of the Highlands and Islands.
The course is fully online, and as such can be studied from anywhere in the world, or in-person at Cnoc Soilleir, South Uist. The course introduces the archaeology of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and teaches students how to conduct their own research on an archaeological site or landscape of their choosing.
The learning institute explained that the archaeology course has a perfect home in Uist, which has a particularly well-preserved archaeological landscape across the machair and moorland.
Dr Emily Gal, archaeology lecturer, who has been the course leader since 2020, said, “Teaching the archaeology and local studies course is always an enjoyable part of my semester. It is really rewarding to support people from so many walks of life through their studies and to watch them develop their archaeological knowledge and independent research skills.”
As an access course, students who have completed archaeology and local studies also have the chance to progress into the UHI archaeology institute’s archaeology degree courses.
Former archaeology and local studies student Harry Feather, who has recently completed an MLitt in archaeology at the UHI archaeology institute, described how doing the access course allowed him to begin his journey of exploring archaeology and develop valuable new skills.
He said: “I have always had an interest in archaeology but never had the opportunity to study it until I found UHI North, West and Hebrides’ archaeology and local studies course. The way this fully online module is set up allows students to develop key skills for studying archaeology. There were students with a wide range of experience, skills and interests and the module was taught in a way that encouraged all to build their confidence, to share knowledge, ideas and local archaeology.
“Despite being a complete beginner to archaeology, I felt I was able to contribute and to develop a project on a subject I was interested in. The focus on giving us the skills to carry out independent archaeological research of our own choice was invaluable and meant that my final project became something that grew and grew!
“The only downside to this course is the way it draws you into the world of archaeology in a way that whets your appetite for more!”
Applications are now open for September and January entry to the Archaeology and Local Studies course. To find out more about, click here.
