Economic and Social History MScR

Level: Postgraduate research

Subject: History

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Full-time
  • MScR | 1 year | Start date: September 2026
Part-time
  • MScR | 2 years | Start date: September 2026

Key facts

School

School of History, Classics and Archaeology

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD by Distance

Not available

School location

Central Area

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About the degree programme

The MSc (by Research) in Economic and Social History provides structured research training while at the same time enabling you to pursue a research project that you design yourself, in consultation with supervisors. It serves as both a self-contained research degree and as preparation for further study for the PhD degree.

The programme is designed to meet Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) requirements as a research training masters qualification. It includes recognised courses in research design and methodology, including quantitative and qualitative methods.

Economic and Social history addresses the historical processes underlying the evolution of modern society by employing a range of insights and approaches from the social sciences, including economics, sociology and social anthropology. The programme focuses on:

  • civil society
  • material culture
  • youth
  • gender
  • crime
  • cinema
  • economic growth
  • financial history in a variety of historical contexts
  • economic and social theory
  • feminist and queer approaches
  • Marxist and decolonial methods
  • long-term comparisons from the Middle Ages to today

Study options

The full-time MSc by Research in Economic and Social History lasts for 12 months from September to the end of August in the following year.

This degree is also available to study part-time. The part-time MSc lasts 24 months.

Why choose this programme

  • The programme is designed to meet Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) requirements as a research training masters qualification.
  • Pursue a research project that you design yourself, in consultation with supervisors.
  • The University of Edinburgh has one of the largest groups of historians in any British university.
  • We can offer supervision across an exceptionally wide chronological and geographical range.

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Programme start date Application deadline
14 September 2026 1 August 2026

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts.

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

and, if applicable:

  • details of any published work

You will also need to provide some or all of the following supporting information and documents:

Provisional supervision agreement
You must name a member of staff who has provisionally agreed, in writing, to supervise you in order for your application to be taken forward. Please ensure that the relevant correspondence is uploaded to your admissions application. This statement of support is provisional, pending assessment of your application and your performance at an interview. If you haven't approached a member of our academic staff yet, please use the following staff list to help you find a supervisor in the subject area of your interest.
 
Guidance on finding a supervisor
List of HCA academic staff
Research proposal
You must submit a research proposal (in a Word or PDF document) demonstrating your knowledge of your field of research. This will be closely scrutinised as part of the decision making process. The suggested word count for the research proposal is 1,000-2,000 words including footnotes and bibliography. Applicants are encouraged to adhere to the word count but will not be penalised for exceeding this. Guidance on writing a research proposal can be found online:
 
Guidance on writing a research proposal
References
You must submit two references with your application.

Interview

If you have met all of the entry requirements, you will need to attend an online interview with potential supervisors. The interview should last 20-30 minutes. Please note that an offer to study is subject to a successful interview.

This interview will be organised by your prospective supervisor and will be an occasion for you to meet the proposed second supervisor. The supervisory team will use it as an opportunity to explore your knowledge of the field and get a sense of your ability to carry out the proposed research programme. 

We cannot issue an offer until the supervisor confirms in writing that the interview has taken place and their recommendation.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

Funding

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Costs

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

We require the following (with further details below):
  • Provisional supervision agreement between you and a primary supervisor, in writing
  • Research proposal
  • Qualifications at undergraduate level
  • References
  • Entry interview 
  • Evidence of English language competency
Qualifications
A UK 2:1 honours degree, a minimum US 3.25 GPA or international equivalent, in a subject related to your programme.
 
We may also consider your application if you have relevant professional experience; please check with your potential supervisor before you apply.
 
You will need to submit your undergraduate degree certificates and transcripts in order to be considered for MSc by Research admission. For instructions on how to upload any additional documents after you have submitted your application, please follow the support guidance:
 
Guidance on document uploading
Entry interview
If you have met all of the entry requirements, you will need to attend an online interview with potential supervisors. The interview should last 20-30 minutes. Please note that an offer to study is subject to a successful interview.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 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 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

Research profile

Edinburgh has a large and distinguished group of academics in this research area. Their specialist fields provide students with an outstanding range of options, both in terms of historical period and areas of the world.

Research interests within the History department are extremely wide-ranging. In particular, we host expertise in:

  • Medieval history:
    • Our research interests lie in the social, political, religious and cultural history of Britain, Europe, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean – with particular emphasis on gender, saints, medicine, crusades, trade, economic history and Islamic law.
  • British and Irish history:
    • We have particular interests in early modern religion, belief and intellectual history (including the Scottish Enlightenment); social and political history; Second World War Studies, relations between Britain and Ireland; and international relations.
  • European history:
    • Specialisms include the Renaissance, early modern political and intellectual history; genocide; Russia and the Soviet Union; modern political and intellectual history of France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Czech Republic; historical memory and public history; histories of gender and sexuality.
  • US (American) history:
    • Expertise includes revolutionary and early national America; the Civil War; US diplomatic history in the 19th and 20th centuries; politics in the 20th century; African-American history and the civil rights movement; and history of labour.
  • African history:
    • We have expertise in West, East and South Africa, and specialisms include intellectual history; environmental history; comparative African history; history of Islam; urban history; print culture; history of nationalism and decolonisation.
  • Asian history:
    • We have expertise in the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia, with specialisms in histories of print and archives; intellectual history; diplomatic history; economic history and history of economic thought; cross-cultural interactions; histories of religion and philosophy; nationalism and colonial resistance.
  • Latin American and Caribbean history:
    • Specialisms include history of slavery; colonialism; histories of race, gender, and the body; Indigenous history; and material culture studies.

Our research community

The School of History, Classics and Archaeology is home to a large community of postgraduate historians undertaking both taught and research degrees.

There are a number of postgraduate-led seminars and reading groups, and social events.

Current postgraduate-led seminars in History include:

  • Edinburgh Centre for Global History seminars
  • Eighteenth Century Research seminars

Postgraduate students are actively involved in our research groups and research centres. Some sit within the discipline of History, others bring together researchers across the School.

Current research groups include:

  • Intellectual History
  • Late Antique and Byzantine Studies
  • The History of Science, Medicine and Technology

There are also three research centres in the School:

  • Centre for the study of Modern and Contemporary History
  • The Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies
  • Edinburgh Centre for Global History

Programme structure

You complete two compulsory courses (40 credits in total), two skills courses (40 credits in total) and will select further two option courses of your choice (20 credits each) from a variety on offer, subject to availability. 

You will also work towards an independently researched dissertation (60 credits) of 15,000 words.

This programme includes ESRC-recognised research training courses in research design and methodology skills.

Find out the aims and structure for each year of study on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Taught courses

You will take the following two core courses:

  • Economic and Social Theory for Historical Analysis
  • Core Quantitative Data Analysis 1 and 2

In addition, you will choose a pair of skills courses (ESRC-funded students must take the first pair).

Either:

  • Research Skills in the Social Sciences: Data Collection
  • Becoming a confident social science researcher

Or:

  • Historical Methodology
  • Developing Historical Research

You will then take two further option courses of your choice. 

  • Economic and Social History Courses
  • Online History Courses
  • Supervised Reading Course (E&SH)

Option courses change from year to year, and those available when you start your studies may be different from those shown.

Facilities

Postgraduate students have access to a wide range of resources and facilities both within the William Robertson Wing of the historic Old Medical School, and nearby in the vibrant heart of the city of Edinburgh. 

Study spaces

Our location, right in the heart of Edinburgh, means you will be based close to the city’s cultural attractions and facilities, including a wealth of libraries, archives, museums and galleries, which provide uniquely rich support for the disciplines we teach.

A tour of our postgraduate spaces:
Scottish History Collection - Room 3.07

This small library houses the Scottish History Collection.  While the library itself is available for use by all students, the desk space within the room is reserved for the use of PhD students.

Postgraduate Study Room - Room 2.35

This room is available to all postgraduate students and is intended to provide students with a quiet working environment. It is a dedicated study and computing lab with printing, copying and scanning facilities, overlooking the Meadows, one of the city’s best-loved green spaces.

Computer Teaching Lab - Room 2.36

Room 2.36 is a 24-seater computer lab on the second floor which is available to HCA students at postgraduate and undergraduate Honours level when it isn't booked for teaching.  The computers in this room are of a high specification and are particularly suitable for work requiring intensive computation or graphical manipulation. They also have some specialist software and may be particularly useful to students who have lab sessions in the room, using specific pieces of software.

Student Research Room - Room 2M.25

The Student Reading Room (2M.25) is a quiet study facility and houses some of the School's book collections. The room also contains a small number of PCs, and printing facilities are available. Please note that these rooms are not exclusively postgraduate resources, and access is shared with our Undergraduate student community. The Student Research Room contains nine collections of books from previous class libraries and special collections donated to the School over many years.

Career opportunities

This programme is specifically designed for students who anticipate progressing to a doctoral programme, but it can also function as excellent preparation for a wide variety of careers.

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

The History Society is a large and active group. It hosts internationally renowned lecturers, provides study advice and publishes the student-run, award-winning journal Retrospect. Social events include film and quiz nights, themed pub crawls, trips to historical sites across Edinburgh and Scotland, a Winter Ball and even a football team, ‘You’re History FC’.

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Have a question about postgraduate study?

Postgraduate enquiries

Academic contact

Dr Nicholas Matheou (MA (Hons), MPhil, DPhil)

Programme Director

Contact details

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