Inverness · Founded 2011
Modern UniversityUniversity of the Highlands and Islands
A distributed university spanning around 9 colleges and research centres across the Highlands and Islands, from Inverness to Shetland. UHI's structure is unique in the UK — students can study in small, community-based settings with strong local support. Marine science, Gaelic studies and archaeology draw on the region's landscapes and heritage directly. Living costs are low, but transport between campuses requires planning.
Rankings
- Guardian
- 50+100
- Times
- 50+111
- Student satisfaction
- 81%
Cost of Living
- Rent (halls)
- £635/mo
- Rent (private)
- £560/mo
- Other costs
- £620/mo
Living costs vary hugely across the Highlands and Islands. Inverness is the most expensive UHI location; rural campuses like Orkney or Sabhal Mor Ostaig offer very low rents.
Known For
Students
11,000
Location
Inverness
SAAS code
H49
Entry requirements for Scottish students
Typical Higher offers for 2026 entry. Always check with UHI directly.
Marine Science
Two sciences required from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, or Environmental Science
Archaeology
Relevant humanities subjects preferred
Gaelic & Communications (CertHE)
Gaelic preferred at grade B
Mandatory language proficiency interview
Sustainable Rural Development
No specific subjects
Adventure Tourism Management
No specific subjects
Nursing
No specific subjects
PVG check required
Entry requirements sourced from University of the Highlands and Islands prospectus, April 2026. Competitive courses may ask for higher grades.
What it actually costs per month
Realistic monthly budget for a student living in Inverness, 2026.
The SAAS gap at UHI
- SAAS gives you (max, monthly)
- £950/mo
- Your costs (est.)
- £930/mo
UHI students studying locally often continue living at home, which dramatically reduces costs. If moving to Inverness, budget similarly to a small Scottish city.
Calculate your exact SAAS packageSAAS tuition — what you’ll actually pay
If you’re a Scotland-domiciled undergraduate, SAAS pays University of the Highlands and Islands’s tuition fee (£1,820/year) directly — you pay nothing. The SAAS code is H49.
Open days 2026
Confirmed 2026 open day dates for UHI. Always book a place directly via the university website.
6 Jun 2026
Campus
3 Oct 2026
Campus
31 Oct 2026
Campus
13 Nov 2026
Campus
Dates sourced from UHI’s official open days page, checked April 2026. Confirm current details before travelling.
Scholarships & bursaries
Verified funding available to Scottish-domiciled students at UHI. Always check the university website for current eligibility criteria and deadlines.
Rural and Islands Bursary
£1,000 (one-off)
Students relocating to a rural or island campus; widening access
Apply / find out moreSWAN Digital Inclusion Grant
£1,000 (one-off)
Students without adequate home broadband for online learning
Apply / find out moreBarns-Graham Charitable Trust Bursary
£1,000/yr
Art and Design students at UHI; financial need
Apply / find out moreWho is UHI best for?
UHI is genuinely unlike any other Scottish university. The 13-campus federated structure means small classes, strong tutor contact, and the chance to study marine biology somewhere actually surrounded by sea, or archaeology somewhere actually full of prehistoric sites. Right pick for students who don’t want a typical big-city university experience, who care about the Highlands and Islands as a place rather than a postcode, or who want to live somewhere with very low rent. Travel between campuses can be a real cost and complication — pick your home campus carefully. Student satisfaction (81%) is consistently among the highest in Scotland.
Student life at a glance
Students’ association
HISA — federates across the 13 campuses. Inevitably less of a single big-uni community feel; instead a tight network within each campus.
Social scene
Depends entirely on which campus. Inverness is the largest and most urban; Lews Castle College on Lewis is rural and Gaelic-speaking; Shetland is, well, Shetland.
Graduate prospects
Strong rural-economy employment (marine industries, public sector, hospitality, conservation). Many graduates stay in the region — much higher local-retention rate than mainland universities.
Considering UHI? Also look at
Closest mainstream university, broader course range, easier travel from the Highlands
View profileSimilar rural focus, agriculture-specialist, distributed campuses
View profileIf location flexibility matters more than campus life — fully distance-learning
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Frequently asked questions about UHI
What is University of the Highlands and Islands ranked?
University of the Highlands and Islands is ranked 100 in the Guardian University Guide and 111 in The Times Good University Guide. Student satisfaction (from the National Student Survey) sits at 81%. Rankings shift annually — always check the latest published tables before relying on a specific position.
How much is student rent at University of the Highlands and Islands?
Average monthly rent in Inverness for UHI students is approximately £635 in university halls and £560 in private rented accommodation. Other living costs (food, transport, utilities, social) add roughly £620 per month on top. These are indicative averages — actual costs depend on the specific hall or flat. Always check the university's accommodation pages for the latest prices.
What is University of the Highlands and Islands known for?
University of the Highlands and Islands's strongest subject areas include Marine Biology, Archaeology, Gaelic Studies, Sustainable Rural Development. These are the departments most commonly cited in league tables and by employers. UHI also has strong graduate employment in these areas — check the university's own graduate outcomes data for the most current figures.
What type of university is University of the Highlands and Islands?
University of the Highlands and Islands is a modern Scottish university with a strong emphasis on applied teaching and research with industry links.
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Browse options →Rankings, rent, and living-cost figures checked April 2026.
Rankings source: Guardian University Guide and The Times Good University Guide. Rent figures are indicative averages from council and university accommodation pages. Entry requirements sourced from UHI prospectus 2026 entry. Always confirm current prices and requirements directly with UHI. See our editorial policy for how we source and update this data.