MA Scottish Ethnology and Archaeology
About this course
MA (Hons) in Scottish Ethnology and Archaeology, a Scottish Ethnology and Studies and Archaeology degree examining human cultures, traditions, and historic remains. Core topics include Fieldwork, Human Behaviour. Students work with archival collections in the School of Scottish Studies Archives and Scottish Studies Library and undertake practical experience in archaeological fieldwork. The first year introduces foundational subjects through Conceptualising Scotland, Creating Scotland, Archaeology 1A, and Archaeology 1B. The second year progresses with Scotland and Orality (Voicing Scotland) and Visualising Scotland, examining heritage, tradition, and environmental impacts on society. The third year offers specialized study through modules such as Archives and Interpretation, Ethnological Fieldwork Methods, Traditional Narrative, and Sustaining Scotland: Heritage, Tourism and Cultural Sustainability in a Global World.
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 26 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 76%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 77%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 33 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 76%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 2%
- Unemployed: 4%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Media Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 15 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- London: 15%
- Scotland: 75%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 65%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 15%
Modules
- Conceptualising Scotland
- Creating Scotland
- heritage
- literature
- folklore
- music and song
- visual art
- the popular media
- Archaeology 1A
- Archaeology 1B
- Celtic civilisation
- art and architectural history
- history and classics
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- linguistics and language sciences
- philosophy, divinity and law
- Scotland and Orality (Voicing Scotland)
- Visualising Scotland
- song
- storytelling
- instrumental music
- dance
- folklore
- performance
- transmission (passing down)
- orality and print
- UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage
- nationhood
- identity
- heritage
- tradition
- cultural difference
- the recolonisation of Scotland after the last ice age
- the world heritage sites in the 'heart' of Scotland (such as Neolithic Orkney)
- the ways the environment shapes human behaviour
- the lasting impact activities like farming had on the Scottish landscape
- the Roman advances into Scotland
- Archives and Interpretation
- Ethnological Fieldwork Methods
- Traditional Narrative
- Traditional Song (Gaelic and Scots options)
- Traditional Music
- Traditional Drama
- Sustaining Scotland: Heritage, Tourism and Cultural Sustainability in a Global World
- Custom, Belief and Community
- Scottish Emigrant Traditions
- The Supernatural World
- Material Culture in Scotland
- Museums and Cultural Representation: Nine Conversations at the National Museum of Scotland
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Scottish Ethnology and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £19,000 after 3 years, £23,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £29,000.
What do graduates of MA Scottish Ethnology and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Scottish Ethnology and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Scottish Ethnology and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 177 UCAS points.
Does MA Scottish Ethnology and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Scottish Ethnology and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.