University of the Highlands and Islands

About Us

The University of the Highlands and Islands is an integrated university encompassing both further and higher education.

We are not a traditional university. We are different. We are part of a new breed of tertiary institutions, the only one in Scotland and one of only a few in Europe.

Based in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, our distinctive partnership of 13 independent colleges and research institutions is locally based and rooted in communities, but with national and international reach, as part of a regional university structure.

Our reputation is built on our innovative approach to learning and our distinctive research and curriculum – all enriched by the people, natural environment, economy, culture and heritage of the Highlands and Islands and its communities.

We have 40,000 students at the heart of our university partnership and we are measured by their success. Our curriculum portfolio across both further and higher education is designed to meet current and future local and regional needs and to attract other students to the Highlands and Islands to study.

We're a little different...

The University of the Highlands and Islands gives you the chance to do something different, something special.

We offer a diverse range of courses, many taking advantages of our region's unique environment, landscape and culture.

...but our students like that

The University of the Highlands and Islands stands out from other universities because of its incredible locations. Fort William is home to an active outdoor community and the university feeds directly into this. The lecturers have in-depth knowledge of their subjects and are incredibly helpful. This, alongside the company of like-minded students, has really helped me to develop and grow.

Louise Ferguson, BA (Hons) Marine and Coastal Tourism student

I was impressed with the subject selection; from professional training in techniques such as geophysical surveying to historical subject-specific classes with topics as diverse as the material culture of the Norse, or burial practices. Even greater was the opportunity to apply these techniques and research methods to specific sites around the Orkney Islands.

Ian Clements, MSc Archaeological Practice graduate

Our values

The university partnership has adopted the following values as the basis on which we will conduct our business and interact with others.

Collaboration - Openness - Respect - Excellence

Collaboration

We will encourage working across organisational boundaries and seek to partner with others in order to provide the best for our students and our communities.

Openness

We will be open in our dealings with each other.

We will be open and welcoming to all who can benefit from what we have to offer.

We will be open to new ideas and new ways of working to achieve our goals.

Respect

We will show respect to each other and to others.

Excellence

We will seek to achieve excellence in everything we do.

Specialise at one of our campuses

We offer you the choice of studying at one of our 13 colleges and research centres, over 70 local learning centres, or online from wherever you are.

Campuses

We are the only university based in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and we're a little different - we offer you the choice of studying at one of our 13 colleges and research centres, over 70 local learning centres, or online from wherever you are. Find out about learning centres in your community by visiting our individual campus websites.

Learn online from wherever you are

The university has some of the best online learning technologies meaning you can study many of our courses from home or work, wherever you are in the world.

Go on to achieve great things

Our close connections to local businesses will help you get into the industry you're passionate about. We work closely with employers (including SSE and NHS Scotland) to develop courses to secure your future success.