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University of the Highlands and Islands

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is a higher education institution and operates through a unique partnership of fifteen colleges and research institutions (known as academic partners) which are located throughout the region. UHI was designated as a higher education institution in April 2001, and was created as a fully established university in 2011.

Through its academic partners, UHI delivers a wide range of higher education services across the Highlands and Islands, including degree and Higher National courses, continuing professional development and lifelong learning, research programmes and research activities. Currently, there are around 7,600 students.

UHI does not fit the traditional model of a higher education institution. It serves a diverse student body, many of whom are mature students and/or study on a part-time basis. UHI provides an opportunity to develop new and innovative solutions to post-compulsory education, and areas of development include widening access, lifelong learning, e-learning, and progression from further education to higher education.

While academic leadership comes from the UHI principal (working closely with the principals of the academic partners and the four deans of faculty), the UHI Executive Office, based in Inverness, undertakes many administrative and professional duties and co-ordinates and supports work across the academic partnership.

UHI Website