MA History and History of Art
About this course
MA (Hons) in History and History of Art, a history and history of art degree examining human societies and visual culture across multiple eras. Core topics include Research Methods and Historical Research. The course culminates in an independent honours dissertation in either discipline. The first year covers the medieval period and the early modern period. The second year focuses on American history, European history, British history, Scottish history, global history, and a compulsory course on historiography. The third year offers a wide range of specialised elective courses in both history and history of art, with the option to choose an external subject. The final year involves a year-long special subject course, further specialist courses in history of art, and independent research to produce 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: 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 38%: 15 offers from 39 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 76%
- Assessment and feedback: 62%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 50%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 15%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 56%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 16%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- A degree: 10%
Modules
- a course covering the medieval period
- a course covering the early modern period
- American history
- European history
- British history
- Scottish history
- global history
- choose one Year 2 history course
- take a compulsory course on historiography
- choose from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subjects
- study courses from a wide range of specialised elective courses in both history and history of art
- have the option to choose a course from another subject outside of these areas, depending on the courses you choose in Years 1 and 2
- study a year-long special subject course
- take further specialist courses in history of art
- carry out independent research to produce an honours dissertation in either history or history of art on a topic of your own choosing
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA History and History of Art at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 3 years, £37,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £49,500. The £37,500 median after five years is £7,000 more than the UK median for History.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA History and History of Art at University of Edinburgh?
93% 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 History of Art at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 177 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA History and History of Art at University of Edinburgh?
38% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 15 offers from 39 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA History and History of Art 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 History of Art at University of Edinburgh?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.