Island Studies MLitt
Course code Q324
What is special about this course?
This masters programme is the only dedicated postgraduate degree in Island Studies in Scotland. It focuses on the study of islands and their communities, both in Scotland and internationally. Delivered by the Institute for Northern Studies, the MLitt Island Studies gives you the opportunity to explore the islands of the world.
Island communities are often culturally unique, yet by their nature they share many commonalities, sometimes referred to as 'islandness'. As part of the degree you will undertake comparative and multi-disciplinary study of the Scottish islands, however, island communities as diverse as the Baltic, the Faroe islands, the Isle of Man, the Falklands and Canadian islands, will also be integral to your studies, particularly the critical appraisal of insular governance, tourism and autonomy.
Special features
- The first masters degree in a flourishing and respected field of study and research
- You will explore the insular identities, achievements, threats and futures of island communities, in Scotland and worldwide
- You will study the cultural identity, language, literature and politics of island communities
- There are opportunities to participate in question and answer sessions with islanders across the world
- You can study individual modules for personal and professional development, or work towards the PgCert, PgDip or full masters degree
Entry requirements
- 2.1 honours degree or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, such as history, archaeology, literature or ethnology
- Other disciplines, such as human geography and the social sciences, will also be considered
- International students whose first language is not English must meet language competency standards as noted on the international page of our website
*Funding support notice*
Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scottish domiciled and EU students)
Loans for tuition fees are available from SAAS for eligible Scotland domiciled and EU students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.
Access routes
Students can access the programme from a range of our undergraduate programmes including:
- BA (Hons) Social Sciences
- BA (Hons) Archaeology
- BA (Hons) Culture and Heritage
- and externally from appropriate degrees
PgCert
Core modules are:
- From Atlantis to Utopia: the nature of islandness
- From Muckle Flugga to Pladda: the Scottish islands
You will also choose an additional module from a range of Institute for Northern Studies and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig modules, the latter through the medium of Gaelic language.
PgDip
Core modules are:
- Island governance
- Selling 'cold' islands
You will also choose an additional option from a range of Institute for Northern Studies and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI (via the medium of Gaelic language) modules. These may include:
- Exploring creative writing
- Celts and Vikings in the North Atlantic
- Picts: revealing the painted past
- Tour of the Highlands
- Archaeological heritage of Orkney and Shetland
- Medieval history of Orkney and Shetland
MLitt
To achieve the award of MLitt Island Studies you must complete a research dissertation.
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will study this course through a combination of video conference seminars and learning via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors and student advisor
- An online induction will be offered at the start of your course
How long will my course last?
- Full-time:1 year @ 20 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 2 years @ 10 hours per week
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Orkney
- This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the world
- You should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, UHI Orkney
- This course is the only dedicated, taught postgraduate degree in Island Studies in Scotland. It may be of particular interest to students based near our Perth, Shetland, or North, West and Hebrides campuses who wish to focus on the study of islands and their communities, both in Scotland and around the world
Start date
- September
- January
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 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £584 | £610 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £1,752 | £1,830 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £3,504 | £3,660 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £5,256 | £5,490 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), studying this course on-campus or online from their home, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 (on-campus | 2024-25 (online) | 2025-26 (on-campus) | 2025-26 (online) | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £792 | £780 | £855 | £840 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £2,376 | £2,340 | £2,565 | £2,520 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £4,752 | £4,680 | £5,130 | £5,040 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £7,128 | £7,020 | £7,695 | £7,560 |
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. These students will get an automatic fee scholarship.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2025-26 | On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | With scholarship | Online study (from home country) | With scholarship |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,800 | £1,350 | £1,200 | £900 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £5,400 | £4,050 | £3,600 | £2,700 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £10,800 | £8,100 | £7,200 | £5,400 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £16,200 | £12,150 | £10,800 | £8,100 |
| 2024-25 | On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | With scholarship | Online study (from home country) | With scholarship |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,666 | £1,250 | £1,110 | £833 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £4,998 | £3,750 | £3,330 | £2,499 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £9,996 | £7,500 | £6,660 | £4,998 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £14,994 | £11,250 | £9,990 | £7,497 |
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying on-campus or online, the following fees apply:
| Qualification | On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | Online study (from home country) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,666 | £1,800 | £1,110 | £1,200 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £4,998 | £5,400 | £3,330 | £3,600 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £9,996 | £10,800 | £6,660 | £7,200 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £14,994 | £16,200 | £9,990 | £10,800 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying full-time can access loans up to £11,500 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £7,000 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500.
Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS. You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study.
Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.
Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your masters course in Island Studies, there are a variety of careers you might like to consider. Here is just a taster of the kind of opportunities available to you:
- Tourism and heritage sector
- Journalism
- Local government agencies
- Community or adult education
- School teaching on completion of relevant PGDE qualification
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress to PhD study at the University of the Highlands and Islands, and other institutions.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I was attracted to studying in Orkney because it gave me the chance to physically visit the sites and access specialised material. I received great support and encouragement from all teaching staff and the lecturers always had time to invest in their students and their needs. Studying on the course has helped me to develop fundamental interpersonal, problem solving and team building skills.
Fleur Ward, originally from Melbourne, Australia, relocated to Orkney to undertake the MLitt Orkney and Shetland Studies. She is now a PhD researcher in the discipline of Island Studies based at the Institute for Northern Studies, UHI Orkney.
The Institute for Northern Studies is based in Orkney and Shetland, the northern most part of the UK. Our students come from a variety of places and backgrounds, even from as far away as Canada and Australia. Our exciting, innovative programmes are embedded in the history and culture of our area. These include Viking Studies, Highlands and Islands Culture, Highlands and Islands Literature, Orkney and Shetland Studies and Island Studies.
Dr Andrew Jennings, programme leader for the institute’s masters programmes, is the author of a number of publications on Scottish history, Norse place-names and island studies, and is currently involved in a number of projects, including an international project with the Estonian War Museum.
Studying at the Institute for Northern Studies gave me an opportunity to expand my horizons while still working. I could join from anywhere in the world while still taking part in an academically rigorous programme. Despite the virtual course, the Institute retains a community feel and students have the opportunity to get to know each other. Studying on the course has been a gateway into the Scottish Islands and has improved my own understanding of the joys and challenges of living in the region.
James Ellsmoor from Shropshire, England, studied the MLitt in Island Studies online. James was awarded UHI Postgraduate Student of the Year, 2018. He now runs his owns consulting company called Island Innovation, specialising in renewable energy projects for remote regions.
Apply for Island Studies MLitt
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.