MA History and Economics
About this course
MA (Hons) in History and Economics, an economics and history degree examining the intersection of economic systems and historical change. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods, and Historical Research. Students complete an honours dissertation in either history or economics in the final year. The first year covers the medieval period and the early modern period. The second year introduces two in economics, one on global economic history, and one on historiography that will build on the skills course in Year 1. The third year includes two compulsory courses in microeconomics and the essentials of econometrics, one economics course on either macroeconomics or applications of econometrics, and a choice of two courses from a range of specialised elective history courses, including a choice of economic history courses. The fourth year involves taking further specialist courses in economics and history, alongside independent research for an honours dissertation.
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: Mathematics at B or AS Mathematics at A) IB: from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for MA History and Economics (V200) at the University of Edinburgh for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAB at A level.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 40%: 38 offers from 95 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 7 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 76%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 64%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 55%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 35 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 8%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 32%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 19%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Elementary occupations: 8%
- Information Technology Professionals: 4%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 305 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 36%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 38%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 85%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- a course covering the medieval period
- a course covering the early modern period
- two in economics
- one on global economic history
- one on historiography that will build on the skills course in Year 1
- two compulsory courses in microeconomics and the essentials of econometrics
- one economics course on either macroeconomics or applications of econometrics
- a choice of two courses from a range of specialised elective history courses, including a choice of economic history courses
- take further specialist courses in economics and history
- engage in independent research to produce an honours dissertation in either history or economics on a topic of your choosing
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA History and Economics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £36,000 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £45,000. The £34,500 median after five years is £14,000 less than the UK median for Economics.
What do graduates of MA History and Economics at University of Edinburgh do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA History and Economics at University of Edinburgh?
86% 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 Economics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 182 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA History and Economics at University of Edinburgh?
40% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 38 offers from 95 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA History and Economics 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 Economics at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.