MA History and Scottish History
About this course
MA (Hons) in History and Scottish History, a history degree centred on the combined exploration of Scottish history and broader historical themes. Core topics include Historical Research and Research Methods. Students complete an independent honours dissertation in the final year. The first year covers the history of Edinburgh, the medieval period, and the early modern period alongside a core course on key skills. The second year includes American history, European history, British history, Scottish history, global history, historiography, and an overview of Scottish history to the 20th century. The third year introduces the practice of historical research alongside specialised elective courses. The final year involves fourth-year options including a year-long special subject and an independent research 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 24%: 10 offers from 41 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 144 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 73%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 59%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 265 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 93%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
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 285 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 82%
- Baccalaureate: 7%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 7%
Modules
- a course on the history of Edinburgh from the Iron Age to the present day
- a course covering the medieval period
- a course covering the early modern period
- a wide-ranging core course focused on key skills and habits, and showcasing the variety of topics available at Edinburgh, including in modern history
- American history
- European history
- British history
- Scottish history
- Global history
- choose one Year 2 history course
- take a compulsory course on historiography
- take a compulsory course that provides an overview of the history of Scotland from the early modern period to the 20th century
- choose from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subjects
- reflect on history as a discipline and be introduced to the practice of historical research
- study courses from a range of specialised elective courses
- take fourth-year options, including at least one year-long special subject
- engage in independent research to produce an honours dissertation on a topic of your own choosing
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA History and Scottish History at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £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 £4,000 more than the UK median for History.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA History and Scottish History at University of Edinburgh?
90% 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 Scottish History at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 188 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA History and Scottish History at University of Edinburgh?
24% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 10 offers from 41 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA History and Scottish History 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 Scottish History at University of Edinburgh?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.