History and Scottish History (MA)

Introducing MA History and Scottish History

This programme combines courses on Scottish history with those from wider historical study.

It enables you to combine a well-rounded and broadly based training in history with a particular focus on Scotland's past.

The University has always been one of the great centres for the study of Scottish history. We offer an unrivalled concentration of expertise in this field.

Our courses cover aspects of Scotland's history from the medieval period to the recent past, including:

• political history
• cultural history
• social history
• economic history
• intellectual history

This programme fuses Edinburgh's excellence in this particular field with the wider offerings of its large and diverse history department.

Your study will seek to place Scotland's development over time in the broadest context and make connections, comparisons and contrasts with the history of other countries.

You will be able to draw on the rich archival resources available within the University and the research materials afforded by the great collections based in the city, including the:

• National Library
• National Records
• National Galleries
• National Museums of Scotland

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAB by end of S5 or AAAA by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (Revised 18/04/2024 to lower entry requirements from AAAA, preferred by S5.)
• A Levels: A*AA.
• IB: 39 points with 666 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

You will gain key transferable skills that employers are looking for. You will learn to:

• Develop intellectually rigorous arguments, based on sound independent research and analysis.
• Compile and critically evaluate large amounts of complex and conflicting evidence.
• Formulate and present your views coherently and convincingly, both orally and in writing.

The research and analytical skills history students develop can be used in any research-based career. These skills can also be applied to careers such as:

• journalism
• museum and heritage work
• public relations
• the diplomatic service
• teaching

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have gone on to pursue a wide variety of careers, including in:

• the media
• politics
• the civil service
• heritage
• law
• business
• finance