MA Scottish Studies
About this course
MA (Hons) in Scottish Studies, a history degree exploring Scottish identity, culture, and society through an interdisciplinary curriculum. Students can work directly with the extensive holdings housed within the School of Scottish Studies Archives. The first year covers foundational ideas through Conceptualising Scotland and Creating Scotland, alongside options to study the Scottish Gaelic language or history. The second year examines cultural expression and tradition through Scotland and Orality (Voicing Scotland) and Visualising Scotland. The third year broadens the scope through subjects such as history, literature, ethnology, music, Celtic, sociology, politics, art history, and 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 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
- Conceptualising Scotland
- Creating Scotland
- heritage
- literature
- folklore
- music and song
- visual art
- the popular media
- build your skills in studying History and learn about the history of Edinburgh
- develop the skills needed for the critical close reading of the core literary genres of poetry, drama and prose
- learn or deepen your understanding of the Scottish Gaelic language
- take courses in Celtic civilisation
- 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
- history
- literature
- ethnology
- music
- Celtic
- sociology
- politics
- art history
- architectural history
- traditional performing arts
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Scottish Studies 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 Scottish Studies 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 Scottish Studies at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 188 UCAS points.
Does MA Scottish Studies 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 Studies at University of Edinburgh?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.