MA Scottish History
About this course
MA (Honours) in Scottish History, a history degree exploring Scotland's distinct historical development and international context. The curriculum spans a wide chronological range from the Dark Ages to modern Scotland. The first year introduces foundational themes through The Kingdom of the Scots, c.900-1707, The Fall of Rome and the Origins of Europe (400-1000), The Early Modern Western World (c. 1450 - c. 1770), and Themes in Late Modern History (c. 1776 - 2001). The second year advances historical study via Scotland, Britain and Empire (c. 1700 - 2000), History as a Discipline: Development and Key Concepts, and Medieval Europe (11th - 15th c.). Further study allows engagement with topics such as Class or Nation? Radical Politics in Twentieth Century Scotland, Medieval St Andrews, Scotland and the Wider World, Thatcherism, the 'new right', and the remaking of British politics, c. 1940 - 1997, and The Power of Persuasion: Propaganda in Renaissance and Reformation Scotland.
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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What students say
Based on about 60 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 82%
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
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 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 140 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 91%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Modules
- Class or Nation? Radical Politics in Twentieth Century Scotland
- Medieval St Andrews
- Scotland and the Wider World
- Thatcherism, the 'new right', and the remaking of British politics, c. 1940 - 1997
- The Power of Persuasion: Propaganda in Renaissance and Reformation Scotland
- The Kingdom of the Scots, c.900-1707 : explores Scotland's long history as an independent kingdom between the tenth and the early eighteenth century. It places particular emphasis on the use of museum collections and built heritage as historical evidence
- The Fall of Rome and the Origins of Europe (400-1000) : examines how political, cultural and social life changed in the Byzantine, British and 'barbarian' worlds in response to major upheavals
- The Early Modern Western World (c. 1450 - c. 1770) : looks at continental European history in the early modern period, and the expansion of Europe
- Themes in Late Modern History (c. 1776 - 2001) : provides thematic coverage of major political and social developments in the Western world during the 19th and 20th centuries
- Scotland, Britain and Empire (c. 1700 - 2000) : provides an introduction to how and why the British nation state evolved from the separate kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland and how and why it has survived over the last three centuries
- History as a Discipline: Development and Key Concepts : provides an introduction to key theoretical and methodological approaches which have characterised the emergence of history as a discipline since medieval times
- Medieval Europe (11th - 15th c.) : examines key themes that helped to shape continental Western Europe from the aftermath of the Carolingian Empire and beginning of the Crusades to the Black Death and the Hundred Years War
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Scottish 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 Anthropology.
What do graduates of MA Scottish 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 Scottish History at University of St Andrews?
98% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Scottish History at University of St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 205 UCAS points.
Does MA Scottish 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 Scottish History at University of St Andrews?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.