MA History of Art and Architectural History
About this course
MA (Hons) in History of Art and Architectural History, an art history degree centred on the study of visual culture, world cultures, and the built environment. Core topics include Research Methods. The programme includes opportunities to complete a work placement in a local cultural organisation or study abroad. The second year focuses on urban environments and heritage practices through compulsory modules including Urbanism and the City: Past to Present and Architectural History and Heritage in Practice. In the third year, students study specialised elective courses in both history of art and architectural history, alongside options for external subjects, work placements, or study abroad. The final year involves selecting advanced courses that build on previous subject choices and writing a dissertation in either history of art or architectural history.
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: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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What students say
Based on about 51 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 77%
- Assessment and feedback: 71%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 65%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 72%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 95 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 94%
- Left higher education: 4%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
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 100 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 86%
- Baccalaureate: 3%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
- No formal qualifications: 8%
Modules
- Urbanism and the City: Past to Present, which examines the city as a social and cultural phenomenon.
- Architectural History and Heritage in Practice, which introduces heritage management and conservation techniques and practices.
- study courses from a wide range of specialised elective courses in both history of art and architectural history
- 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
- have the opportunity to complete a work placement in a local cultural organisation, or study abroad
- select courses that build on your subject choices in Year 3
- write a dissertation in either history of art or architectural history
- to refine interests you develop from Years 1 to 3, or
- as a springboard for something completely new
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA History of Art and Architectural History 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 £8,000 more than the UK median for History of art, architecture and design.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA History of Art and Architectural History at University of Edinburgh?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA History of Art and Architectural History at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 162 UCAS points.
Does MA History of Art and Architectural History at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA History of Art and Architectural History at University of Edinburgh?
94% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.