MA History
About this course
MA (Honours) in History, a history degree covering human activity across global cultures and multiple historical eras. The first year covers the foundations through Ancient Empires, Cities and Communities in the Ancient Mediterranean, The Early Modern Western World (c. 1450 - c. 1770), The Fall of Rome and the Origins of Europe (400-1000), The Kingdom of the Scots, c.900-1707 and Themes in Late Modern History (c. 1776 - 2001). The second year continues with History as a Discipline: Development and Key Concepts, Introduction to Middle Eastern History, Medieval Europe (11th - 15th c.) and Scotland, Britain and Empire (c. 1700 - 2000). Further study includes options such as Age of Conquest: Edward I - Scotland and Wales (1239 - 1307), Death and the Afterlife in Later Medieval Europe, Modern Iran from 1834-1941: Enlightenment, Nationalism and Revolution, Popular Music, Culture and Society: The United States and Britain, 1955-1980, The Decline and Fall of the French Old Regime (1715-1789), The Eastern Roman Empire in the Reign of Justinian 527 - 565, The Medieval Castle and War and Welfare: Britain, 1939 - 1951.
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: AAA, including A in History. IB: 38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in History.
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for MA History (V100) at the University of St Andrews for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAA at A level.
What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 91%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 76%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 115 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 96%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 40 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 59%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 16%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 120 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 34%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 30%
Who gets in
Based on about 60 students who started
- A levels: 88%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- A degree: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
- Other qualifications: 2%
Modules
- Age of Conquest: Edward I - Scotland and Wales (1239 - 1307)
- Death and the Afterlife in Later Medieval Europe
- Modern Iran from 1834-1941: Enlightenment, Nationalism and Revolution
- Popular Music, Culture and Society: The United States and Britain, 1955-1980
- The Decline and Fall of the French Old Regime (1715-1789)
- The Eastern Roman Empire in the Reign of Justinian 527 - 565
- The Medieval Castle
- War and Welfare: Britain, 1939 - 1951
- Ancient Empires
- Cities and Communities in the Ancient Mediterranean
- The Early Modern Western World (c. 1450 - c. 1770)
- The Fall of Rome and the Origins of Europe (400-1000)
- The Kingdom of the Scots, c.900-1707
- Themes in Late Modern History (c. 1776 - 2001)
- History as a Discipline: Development and Key Concepts
- Introduction to Middle Eastern History
- Medieval Europe (11th - 15th c.)
- Scotland, Britain and Empire (c. 1700 - 2000)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA History at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £29,500 after 15 months, £28,500 after 3 years, £36,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £47,000. The £36,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of MA History at University of St Andrews do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA History at University of St Andrews?
100% 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 St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 206 UCAS points.
Does MA History at University of St Andrews include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA History at University of St Andrews?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.