Literature and Theology BA (Hons)
Course code Q32T
What is special about this course?
Most of our humanities subjects can be studied as joint honours as well as single honours. Joint honours programmes give you the opportunity to combine two subjects, which complement your interests or career goals. You will usually concentrate on both subjects equally. It can be possible to transfer between single and joint honours options, usually during your first or second year, and advice will be available from your personal academic tutor.
This course covers:
-
Literature: using a wide range of authors and texts, from classic to contemporary, explores literature in a global context, looking in depth at language and literary history.
-
Theology: the study of the main disciplines of Christian theology
Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.
Special features
- Study literature in an international context
- Learn about a wide range of theology across all main traditions
- Learn from research-active staff in both disciplines
- Study full time or part time to suit your personal circumstances
- Individual modules can be studied for personal and 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
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
You will study the following core modules:
Literature
- Theories of literature: an introduction (S1)
- Travellers in the wilderness: literature and exile (S2)
Theology
You will study two modules, which may include:
- Introduction to systematic theology (S1)
- Jesus and the Gospels (S1)
- The Pentateuch (S2)
- Protestant reformation (S2)
You will choose two further option modules from a range of literature, theology, and other humanities subjects.
Year 2 - DipHE
Literature
You will study two modules, which may include:
- Medieval literature: text and contexts (S1)
- An introduction to Gaelic poetry (S1)
- Theatrical powerplay: classical and modern tragedy (S2)
- Heroic literature: epic from classical to contemporary (S2)
Theology
You will also study two modules, which may include:
- Early church history (S1)
- Old Testament prophecy (S1)
- Person and work of Christ (S2)
- Pauline theology (S2)
You will choose two further option modules from a range of literature, theology, and other humanities subjects.
Year 3 - BA
Literature
You will choose three modules, which may include:
- Romantic genius: Scottish and European literature 1750-1830 (S1)
- Risk anything! The modernist short story (S1)
- Literary borrowings: adaptations and appropriations (S1)
- Imagining new worlds: renaissance literature and thought (S2)
- Nature writing and ecology (S2)
Theology
You will also choose three modules, which may include:
- Theological project (S1)
- Hebrews (S1)
- Scottish church history (S1)
- Wisdom literature (S2)
- Doctrine of God (S2)
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
You will complete a dissertation in literature or theology. You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject, plus three option modules from the other subject.
Literature
Modules may include:
- Avant-garde literature (S1)
- Apocalyptic fictions (S1)
- Metafiction: self-referential texts (S2)
- Satire: the art of attack (S2)
Theology
Modules may include:
- Guided reading (S1)
- Hermeneutics (S1)
- The Holy Spirit and the word (S1)
- Luke-Acts (S1)
- Medieval church history (S2)
- Exploring Psalms (S2)
- Christian ethics (S2)
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 @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week
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?
- Argyll
- HTC - you may choose to study at Dingwall or Paisley, subject to availability
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides
- Orkney
- 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 North, West and Hebrides
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) Literature and Theology, you might like to consider careers in:
- Primary and Secondary teaching in English, history and modern studies
- Journalism and the media
- Tourism
- Museums and archives
- Research
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from the BA (Hons) Literature and Theology to the following postgraduate courses:
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
UHI is the only university to offer a joint honours degree in both theology and literature. My tutors have been supportive and helpful, they really encourage independent, informed thinking. I think my studies will equip me with the knowledge and experience I need to develop as a writer, as well as provide helpful contacts. I’ve also been impressed by the support provided for lectures online; I’ve done online courses before, but the support at UHI is by far the best.
Jennifer Mewes is studying BA (Hons) Literature and Theology at HTC, a UHI partner.
Apply for Literature and Theology 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.