MA History
About this course
MA (Hons) History, a history degree centred on the study of the past across diverse geographical regions and chronological periods. Core topics include Historical Research and Research Methods. The programme spans four years, culminating in an independent honours dissertation. The first year covers the medieval period, the early modern period, and modern history. The second year introduces American history, European history, British history, Scottish history, and global history, alongside a compulsory course on historiography. The third year shifts focus to specialised elective courses and the practice of historical research. The final year involves fourth-year options in history, including at least one year-long special subject and a substantial independent research project.
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
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 37%: 444 offers from 1,209 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 67 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 75%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 83%
- Organisation and management: 77%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 54%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 150 students who started
- Continued on course: 93%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
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 155 students who started
- A levels: 83%
- Baccalaureate: 8%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 7%
Modules
- 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
- continue to study a range of histories
- deepen your knowledge of particular geographical regions, chronological periods, and themes
- choose two courses from the covered periods and themes
- take a compulsory course on historiography
- choose from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subject
- reflect on history as a discipline and be introduced to the practice of historical research
- study courses from a range of specialised elective courses (depending on the courses you choose in Years 1 and 2, you may have the option to choose one from another subject outside history)
- take fourth-year options in history, 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 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 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 at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 187 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA History at University of Edinburgh?
37% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 444 offers from 1,209 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA 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 at University of Edinburgh?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.