MA History and Archaeology
About this course
MA (Hons) in History and Archaeology, an undergraduate degree in history and archaeology focusing on material remains and written records of the human past. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Human Behaviour. Students complete three weeks of archaeological fieldwork at the end of the first year. The first year covers the medieval period, the early modern period, methods of site discovery, and excavation. The second year explores American history, European history, British history, Scottish history, and global history. The third year involves compulsory courses in historical and archaeological skills and methods alongside specialised elective courses. The fourth year includes a year-long history special subject course, specialist option courses in archaeology or classical art and archaeology, and an independent research honours dissertation in either history or archaeology.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from A*A*A to AAB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 27%: 22 offers from 81 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 26 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 76%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 77%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 15 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- London: 15%
- Scotland: 75%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 65%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 20%
Modules
- a course covering the medieval period
- a course covering the early modern period
- methods of site discovery
- excavation
- recording and analysing artefacts
- scientific analysis of animal and human remains
- recent and innovative approaches to reconstructing the lives of past peoples
- further fieldwork
- projects in heritage management and public engagement
- lab-based analysis of archaeological remains
- American history
- European history
- British history
- Scottish history
- global history
- the recolonization of Scotland after the last ice age
- the world heritage sites in the 'heart' of Scotland (such as Neolithic Orkney)
- the ways the environment shapes human behaviour
- the lasting impact activities like farming had on the Scottish landscape
- the Roman advances into Scotland
- take compulsory courses in historical and archaeological skills and methods
- study courses from a wide range of specialised elective courses in history and archaeology (depending on the courses you choose in Years 1 and 2, you may have the option to choose one from another subject outside history)
- study a year-long history special subject course
- take further specialist option courses in archaeology or classical art/archaeology
- engage in independent research to produce an honours dissertation in either history or archaeology on a topic of your own choosing
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA History and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £19,000 after 3 years, £23,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £29,000. The £23,000 median after five years is £7,500 less than the UK median for History.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA History and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA History and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 208 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA History and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
27% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 22 offers from 81 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA History and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA History and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.