MA History and Politics
About this course
MA (Hons) in History and Politics, a politics and international relations and history degree connecting historical analysis with political science. Core topics include Historical Research and Research Methods. Students complete a final-year honours dissertation in either history or politics. Year 1 establishes the foundations through Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates, Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension, and Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory), alongside studies in the medieval and early modern periods. Year 2 broadens the historical perspective with courses in American history, European history, British history, Scottish history, and global history, combined with a compulsory course on historiography. Year 3 introduces specialized study choices such as global justice and citizenship, or approaches to politics and international relations. Year 4 concludes the degree with a year-long special subject course in history, further specialist courses in politics, and independent research for the 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 AAA (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 19%: 119 offers from 612 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 19 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 71%
- Assessment and feedback: 63%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 70%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 65 students who started
- Continued on course: 92%
- Left higher education: 8%
What graduates do next
Based on about 16 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 40%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Finance Professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
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 75 students who started
- A levels: 75%
- Baccalaureate: 9%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
- No formal qualifications: 15%
Modules
- a course covering the medieval period
- a course covering the early modern period
- Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
- Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension
- Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory)
- 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
- global justice and citizenship, or
- approaches to politics and international relations
- For a dissertation in history, we recommend a course where you will engage with historical skills and methods.
- For a dissertation in politics, we recommend a course on research design in politics.
- study one year-long special subject course in history
- take further specialist courses in politics
- engage in independent research to produce an honours dissertation in either history or politics on a topic of your own choosing
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA History and Politics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 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 £500 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of MA History and Politics at University of Edinburgh do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA History and Politics 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 199 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA History and Politics at University of Edinburgh?
19% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 119 offers from 612 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA History and Politics 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
92% of students continued into their second year, and 8% left higher education.