Interdisciplinary Futures (MA)

Introducing MA Interdisciplinary Futures

Edinburgh Futures Institute’s undergraduate degree programme places interdisciplinary learning and complex challenges at the centre of the learning experience.

Our approach begins with profound questions about the world we live in – questions about sustainability, inequality, global health, and conflict.

A sustainable, ethical and equitable future for society and the planet cannot be addressed within a single discipline or be superficially ‘solved’ or ‘fixed’.

An approach that brings together people with diverse skills, experiences, interests and worldviews will help us create better futures and address personal, local and global challenges together.

Our approach equips you with the teamwork, critical and creative skills most valued by employers. You will:

• Develop the confidence, knowledge, and skills to work, live, and make a difference in a rapidly changing world.
• Gain key employability skills and collaborative experiences with different communities and partners – preparing you for a career of your choice.
• Access leading research and award-winning teaching from a wide range of disciplines and subjects at the University of Edinburgh.
• Benefit from a choice of courses across subject areas, dedicated student support, and opportunities for personal development.

We feature a high level of support and guidance that is a core part of teaching and learning while ensuring that you will benefit from a self-directed approach.

This programme is a launching pad for developing confidence, taking risks, exploring uncertainty and challenges and applying critical thinking.

Reputation, relevance and employability

Learn to apply your knowledge to complex problems, and your skills and insight toward building better futures.

This degree programme, from the University of Edinburgh’s new Futures Institute, is designed so you can connect with the communities, businesses, employers and environments you will find in the professional world.

This means you are able to develop applied and practical skills that are valued by employers and an incredible network of support that will help you on your journey.

Our MA Interdisciplinary Futures moves from foundational to advanced levels of knowledge and research while giving you the skills required for interdisciplinary, team-based learning that is critical to modern workplaces and lives.

Edinburgh Futures Institute

The Edinburgh Futures Institute is a key investment in our future. It is an integral part of our commitment to the local communities in which we operate and our place in the world. Recognising that the biggest challenges facing society are complex and multi-layered, and that insight and innovation often come from bringing together expertise across different disciplines, EFI is creating a new environment for learning, teaching, research and engagement. It is doing so side-by-side with communities, business, industry and government.

• Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Edinburgh

At Edinburgh Futures Institute you will develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to play a vital role in a more equitable and sustainable future.

You will discover and use a range of different methods and tools to reflect and make connections between the different elements of your degree, and different disciplinary areas.

Studying at the University of Edinburgh’s Futures Institute, you will:

• become part of a diverse and international academic community in one of the top-ranked universities in the world
• access a world of knowledge and experience with our world-leading research and industry networks, entrepreneurial and start-up support, and cutting-edge data-driven innovation programmes
• learn from experts and practitioners at the forefront of their fields, completing meaningful research in a wide range of disciplines
• benefit from the University of Edinburgh’s world-class facilities and award-winning support services
• experience student life in a vibrant and historic capital city with world-famous cultural festivals and the mountains and beaches of Scotland on your doorstep
• work and learn in the beautiful, historic site of the Old Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, a newly restored, state-of-the-art centre for teaching, research and digital innovation

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 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.)

The University of Edinburgh is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for the employability of our graduates (Times Higher Education, Global Employability University Ranking 2023-24).

With this degree programme, you will gain key transferable skills that employers are looking for and the knowledge and confidence to become an active, questioning citizen of the world.

In today’s increasingly complex and global environment, the skills that are most valued by employers include:

• team working
• problem-solving
• coping with uncertainty
• creative work
• making connections
• understanding and responding to complexity and change

The MA (Hons) Interdisciplinary Futures degree responds to increased demand from employers for graduates with multi-disciplinary experience who are able to respond to complex environments and challenges.

You will develop core transferable skills such as teamwork, self-assessment, resilience and collaboration that are key to professional and career development.

You will be able to:

• compile and critically evaluate large amounts of complex and conflicting evidence
• formulate and present your views coherently and convincingly, both orally and in writing
• present and pitch ideas and creative responses to challenges
• apply practical, hands-on experience of the methods and skills you learn
• work with small teams and groups as well as wider networks and professionals

The research and analytical skills our students develop can be used in various research-based careers or in further academic postgraduate study and research.

Where do our graduates find employment?

Graduates will be well equipped for roles as leaders and innovators in new and emerging industries.

You will be able to apply your learning and skills in a wide range of career opportunities in different areas such as:

• international and community development
• non-governmental organisations
• design
• consulting
• development
• policy and governance
• financial services
• arts, culture and heritage
• charity and social enterprise
• health and social care
• environment and sustainability
• law

Potential types of roles with relevant skills and qualifications may include:

• advocacy or social activism
• finance and business roles
• international development officer
• management consultant
• policy officer/adviser
• programme development roles in arts, cultural and creative industries
• project manager
• researcher
• social entrepreneur
• sustainability or climate change adviser

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service can help you realise your career ambitions, and offer practical advice about how to progress your career goals.

The service offers advice, guidance and careers information for all students and our recent graduates.

Careers Service staff can also help you to work while you study or advise you on volunteering opportunities.

• Employability of our graduates