University of the Highlands and Islands
BA (Hons) in Professional Golf
Dornoch, United Kingdom
BA
DURATION
8 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 13,980 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Scotland or EEA (outside of the UK): £1,820 per year | UK: £9,250 per year (Years 1, 2 and 3) | International: £13,980 per year
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
What is special about this course?
This degree, unique in Scotland, is part of a partnership between the university and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA). Based in Dornoch, close to the world-renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club, the BA (Hons) Professional Golf is aimed at those aspiring to a career in the golf industry and offers the opportunity to work in various roles, with a particular focus on coaching and performance.
This degree is recognised by the PGA and graduates gain membership of the PGA (subject to application).
Scotland's golf industry is worth £1 billion and annually directly contributes £496 million to its gross domestic product (GDP). Estimates suggest that one in every 125 jobs in Scotland are dependent on golf.
This degree will incorporate themes relevant to the varied demands of the industry and, in particular, those met by professional coaches. These themes will develop from year one, through to the honours year and encompass coaching, equipment technology, sports science and business.
You will work alongside our BA (Hons) Golf Management students.
Special features
The course is unique due to its proximity and close working relationship with Royal Dornoch Golf Club, rated Number 5 in the world in 2016 by Golf Digest. The club is also supportive of our students' development offering coaching opportunities, hosting golf events and providing placement opportunities.
- Graduates can gain PGA membership (subject to application)
- You will study in a unique location – playing opportunities include Royal Dornoch Golf Club
- You will access dedicated on-site specialist teaching facilities and equipment, including Trackman and SAM Puttlab
- Benefit from PGA qualified and golf business teaching staff
- Get the opportunity to improve and develop personal golf-related skills and performance
- Participate in professional industry-based placements on an annual basis
- You will become a member of the University of the Highlands and Islands Golf Club (UHIGC) currently hosted by Royal Dornoch Golf Club
- Be involved in events throughout the academic year with the university golf team in British Universities and College Sports (BUCS) and Scottish Student Sport (SSS)
- Have institutional support for applications for individual R&A bursaries which financially support elite golfers in tertiary education
- Volunteer coaching in the Highland region is also well-established and there is an excellent and supportive working relationship with Clubgolf as well as with local schools and clubs
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation in Dornoch ideally suited to students on this course.
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
You will learn through a combination of face-to-face tutorials and lectures, enhanced by field trips, practical tuition, video conferencing and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE).
This is enhanced by guest lectures from leading industry figures, regular practical sessions utilising state-of-the-art coaching and analysis equipment, on-site tuition, and assisting in coaching at various schools and golf clubs.
Alternatively the new DipHE Professional Golf PGA programme is a distance learning, 3 year part-time programme that can be studied while working at a golf facility in Scotland.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
Where can I study my course?
- UHI Centre for Golf, Dornoch
Start date
- August/September
Year 1 - CertHE
In the first year, you will be introduced to general concepts in the golf industry and professional sport.
Core modules are:
- Activity Performance and Skills Acquisition
- Introduction to Business
- Introduction to Equipment Technology for Golf
- Introduction to Sport Coaching and Leadership
- Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science
- Preparing for Work-based and Placement Learning
Year 2 - DipHE
You will continue to build on and develop the concepts from year one and begin to evaluate their application in practice. New topics will also be introduced.
Core modules are:
- Applied Coaching and Leadership
- Event Planning and Organisation
- Golf Equipment and Analysis
- Principles of Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Retailing
- Work Placement: Team-working and Communication
Year 3 - BA
In the third year, academic skills will be further developed alongside practical and industry-specific skill sets.
Core modules are:
- Design, Manage and Evaluate Human Fitness and Physical Performance
- Developing Entrepreneurial Effectiveness
- Research Skills
- Small Business Planning
- Sports and Exercise Science: A Critical Analysis
- Work Placement: Industry-specific skills
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
The Honours year is used to deepen your understanding and consolidate the themes carried throughout the programme.
Core modules are:
- Niche Professional: A Business Analysis
- Sports and Exercise Psychology
- Work Placement: Professional Practice
Option modules include:
- Advanced Applications of Coaching and Instruction
- Legal Issues in Sport and Fitness
You will also complete a dissertation (double-credits), or research and present a plan for a new business venture.
EU scholarship
EEA/EU/Swiss nationals living in this region for the past 3 years will receive an automatic scholarship of £4,000 - with the fourth year of study free!
United States - Federal Aid (FAFSA)
Federal Aid can be used to cover tuition fees for American students studying on-campus in Scotland.
Canada - Federal Aid
Federal Aid can be used to cover tuition fees for Canadian students studying on-campus in Scotland, as well as the majority of the Canadian provinces' student aid programmes.
On-campus study - live and learn in Scotland
Courses in health, sustainability, engineering, history, outdoors and more with the University of the Highlands and Islands:
- #3 in the UK and #1 in Scotland for postgraduate student satisfaction
- Top 10 most affordable UK universities
- Specialist subjects with links to industry
Browse all of the on-campus undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that we offer for international students.
Online study - achieve a UK degree without moving abroad
Courses in health, sustainability, engineering, history, outdoors and more with the University of the Highlands and Islands:
- Flexible study options to fit with your life
- Top 10 most affordable UK universities
- Decades of online teaching experience
Browse all of the online undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that we offer for international students.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in the golf industry and beyond. Opportunities may include:
- PGA professional
- Golf coaching and development
- Golf facility operations
- Golf education
- Sports science
- Sports retail
- Events management and operations