Moral and Philosophical Studies with Religious Education BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

Are you fascinated by theological, moral, and philosophical issues and debates? Do you have ambitions to lead learning in this field, with a career as a Religious Education (RE) or Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (RMPS) teacher in a secondary school setting?

Join this contemporary new degree, supported by the Scottish Government, and combine academic study in theology, ethics, and philosophy with vocational training as a teacher. Access an extensive specialist library, including several significant theological collections such as the Rutherford House library. Become an inspiring and motivational teacher, guiding your students to explore different values, attitudes, and ethical issues as they learn to approach moral decision-making.

Please see our FAQs for further information on this course.

Special features

• Combines academic study in theology, ethics and philosophy with vocational training as a teacher
• Dedicated specialists and lecturers with strong community links
• Calls on the expertise of the Highland Theological College
• Balance of theory and practice through the degree programme
• You will have the support of a dedicated education mentor
• Access to an extensive specialist library of around 65,000 volumes including several significant theological collections such as the Rutherford House library
• Seminar series grounded in the methodology of anthropology

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 3 Highers at grade BBC or above OR
• 2 A levels at grade BC or above
• These must include: Higher or A level English PLUS
• National 5 or GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above
• You will also be required to attend an interview

Please note:

• An aptitude for teaching and working with young people should be displayed in your application

• This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Year 1 - Cert HE

Core modules may include:

• Thinking and writing for study, work and life (S1)
• Problems in philosophy (S2)
• Introduction to systematic theology (S1)
• Jesus and the Gospels (S1)
• Protestant reformation (S2)
• Values and professional practice in education (S1 +S2)

Year 2 - Dip HE

Core modules may include:

• Knowledge: a philosophical analysis (S1)
• Exploring other faiths (S1)
• Scottish church history (SCQF 9) (S1)
• Moral philosophy (S2)
• Anthropology of religion (S2)
• RMPS Educational placements 1a and 1b: How learners learn and manage transitions (S1 +S2)

Year 3 - BA

Core modules may include:

• Philosophy of science (SCQF 10) (S2)
• Continental philosophy (S2)
• Enacting the RME curriculum (S1 +S2)
• RMPS Educational placements 2a and 2b (S1 +S2)

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

Core modules may include:

• Philosophy of mind (S2)
• Christian ethics (S2)
• RMPS Educational placements 3a and 3b (S1 +S2)
• Teacher enquiry in RMPS (S1 +S2)

You will also complete a dissertation based on practitioner enquiry for the 'Teacher enquiry in RMPS' module.

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.

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) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

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. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4^th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU 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.

Additional costs

You will be required to pay the cost of the PVG Disclosure Check (approx £60).