If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the archaeology of your area, and archaeology generally, applications are now open for September and January entry to the Archaeology and Local Studies short course.
The 12-week course can be taken online, or in person at Cnoc Soilleir, Daliburgh, South Uist, with lectures taking place weekly. It will equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to undertake your own archaeological research, while introducing key archaeological periods in the Highlands and Islands.
No qualifications are needed and if you intend to go on and study for a full undergraduate archaeology degree, successful completion of this access course enables entry to the BA/BSc courses at the UHI Archaeology Institute.
Since its launch in 2015, over 100 people have taken the course and 2026 will see the addition of new archaeological sites in Barra to the Outer Hebrides Unearthed platform.
Dr Emily Gal, 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.”
Former Archaeology and Local Studies student Harry Feather, who has recently completed an MLitt in Archaeology Studies 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:
“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!”
For more information on the course, click here or contact emily.gal@uhi.ac.uk.
