University of the Highlands and Islands

I was interested in the conceptual relationship between how people perceive their health and wellbeing and how that translates into what we end up producing as an NHS, and how we provide that. I wanted to gain a better theotroical understand of the underpinnings behind people’s thoughts and feelings about their health and how that interacts with communities, and leads up to the development of the NHS.

I was looking for an online course, and something that would allow me to keep working while studying. The highlights have been the interactions with different lecturers with a broad spectrum of specialties and the discussion with other students from across the world, so we could have a wide ranging conversation which I found really interesting. I found the program leader incredibly helpful, she allowed me to think wider and push the boundaries of where I was trying to go.

Chris studied the MA Health and Wellbeing at UHI North, West and Hebrides.

After a 25 year career in Engineering I was looking for a career change and after doing some research, a career in Data grabbed my attention. UHI Inverness Campus was the perfect choice for my studies, which was a combination of the right course in the right location.

The support has been excellent and being part of a course with a smaller class has meant we have had more personalised teaching with the lectures being flexible to adapt to what we may need more help with on a week-by-week basis.

I have undertaken a paid placement for the Scottish Government, and already I can see many opportunities opening up both locally and across the country. There are more opportunities out there than graduates to fill them!

If you are considering UHI, I would say go for it! The campus at UHI Inverness is such an excellent place to study with its spacious new open planned building within an open parkland environment. I have noticed it’s a very supportive and inclusive environment to study, with a warm and welcoming community. Learning at UHI has been a life changing experience!

Colin Stevenson is studying the MSc Applied Data Science at UHI Inverness.

There are many reasons why I feel this was the right course for me. The flexibility allowed me to study while working full-time and raising children. The modules were diverse and I enjoyed the ability to select among them based on my interests and future career goals. Beyond this, as an international student in Texas, I valued the interactions with tutors and students from other parts of the world, with everyone bringing unique perspectives based upon interpretive sites and visitor experiences in their geographic areas. Even though I was studying thousands of miles away from UHI, I never felt ‘alone’ in my studies, my experience at UHI was very positive and I have many wonderful memories of it!

Courtney studied MSc in Interpretation: Management and Practice at UHI Perth.

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 Archaeology Institute combines the academic and scholarly prowess of the teaching team, who are based across the Highlands and Islands, with the professional and applied skills of the consultancy field unit, Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology (ORCA). We are the only Scottish university with an archaeology teaching department to have such a dynamic ‘in-house’ relationship with the archaeology industry. This ‘real-world’ professional insight means that added value is given to the student experience.

I chose this course as I thought the content was broad, but with the flexibility to cover a lot of bases. Some modules crossed over with other subjects, offering a diverse range of perspectives and conversations between students. There was a lot of complementary crossover between my studies and my work, providing me with knowledge and information useful to my work, while helping to ground my studies in the real-world practicalities.

The flexibility of online learning allowed me to tailor my study schedule to suit my needs. The tutors were helpful throughout and very supportive for a diverse range of learning styles and schedules.

Neil studied the MSc Sustainability and Rural Regeneration at UHI North, West and Hebrides.

Our staff draw on their research interests in Scottish, British and imperial history, maritime history, and sport, as well as palaeography and languages of the North Atlantic. Students receive a thorough grounding, also, in the ‘history of history’ and the major approaches that historians have taken to our subject.

Our programmes train students in the research methods used by historians and seek to open up a range of new perspectives on local, regional, national and global themes, from the medieval to the modern.

The MLitt Highlands and Islands Literature has been universally recommended for its use of global concepts of literature in an area-specific context. It is an ideal programme for students wishing to go on to teacher training.

I developed an interest in quality improvement and healthcare safety throughout my nursing career, and I wanted to take this to the next level. The various approaches the tutors brought, looking at quality improvement in the healthcare environment, in different way. The highlight for me was being able to lift the theory from the course content and apply it to different healthcare settings. The variety of the students on the course was really valuable- I learnt to relate the course content to a variety of healthcare settings.

The Improvement science: enhancing quality in health and social care module, being able to apply the methodology and tools for change, was directly applicable for my work, and has helped me to do my job better. What you get from studying and understanding the theory behind what it is you are trying to do, is so powerful, it just encourages you to keeping learning.

Sara studied the PgCert Healthcare Quality Improvement.

Aside from the knowledge of Highlands and Islands history in the larger context of Scottish and world history, my greatest knowledge gain has been in the ability to think critically, deeply and widely about issues, and to write at a level required for publication.

Theresa Mackay studied online from Canada and graduated with distinction from our MLitt History in September 2016. Her studies have led her to her current role as Assistant Professor at Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

The MSc Sustainable Mountain Development was the course for me as it was both interesting and helpful for my career development. The course has provided self-discipline and knowledge that will be invaluable moving forward.

The flexibility of learning was perfect for me while I was working while studying, sometimes with limited internet connection. I enjoyed the style of teaching, and believe that having the MSc will be invaluable. I am already using what I learned in my course working for the Quebec Paddling Association where I assess paddling route feasibility, infrastructure and sustainability.

Will Hotopf graduated from the MSc Sustainable Mountain Development at the Centre for Mountain Studies UHI Perth while studying from Canada.