MA History of Art and History of Music
About this course
MA (Hons) in History of Art and History of Music, a joint honours degree centred on the study of visual culture, musicology, and historical contexts across two academic disciplines. Core topics include Research Methods. Students can undertake a work placement in a local cultural organisation, study abroad, or complete a dissertation in either subject. The first year introduces foundational themes through Popular Music History and Thinking about Music. The second year progresses with Understanding Music History 1: Critical Approaches to Music from the Middle Ages to the Late Eighteenth Century and Understanding Music History 2: The Idea of Western Art Music from Romanticism to the Late Twentieth Century. Third-year students select from specialised elective courses across both disciplines, with options to study externally or complete a work placement. The final year involves a year-long special subject course, further specialist courses in history of art, and independent research leading to 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: 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
- Popular Music History, which explores the texts and contexts of popular music from 1800.
- Thinking about Music, where you will engage with a broad musical repertoire and some of the major debates surrounding the study of music.
- Understanding Music History 1: Critical Approaches to Music from the Middle Ages to the Late Eighteenth Century
- Understanding Music History 2: The Idea of Western Art Music from Romanticism to the Late Twentieth Century
- study courses from a wide range of specialised elective courses in both history of art and history of music
- 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.
- 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 of art or history of music on a topic of your own choosing
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA History of Art and History of Music 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 of Art and History of Music 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 History of Music 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 History of Music 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 of Art and History of Music at University of Edinburgh?
94% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.