History and Politics MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: History

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

LV21

Award

MA (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Central Area

Start date

September 2026

School

School of History, Classics and Archaeology

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

One of our most popular combined programmes, MA (Master of Arts) History and Politics provides the opportunity to link two key disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.

This programme will help you develop a detailed understanding of history and political science. It is a good choice if you are interested in:

  • adding theoretical understanding to your interests in political history
  • providing historical context to your studies in political science
  • combining two important subjects

Edinburgh is the ideal place to study this programme. In addition to the superb resources of the University, the city is home to a range of political and governmental institutions including the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government.

The National Records of Scotland also contains a major collection of material relating to the government of Scotland since the medieval period.

History at the University of Edinburgh

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

How a joint degree programme works

A joint programme allows you to gain a well-rounded learning experience. You will have more exposure to different disciplines, allowing you to expand your knowledge and expertise.

Teaching on joint programmes is split across the two subject areas, and teaching will take place in locations associated with both subjects.

You will gain a different perspective through studying more than one subject and have a wider skill set that is highly attractive to future employers.

Programme benefits

  • Study in one of the UK’s largest and most international history departments, joining a vibrant culture of inquiry and debate led by our dedicated staff.
  • Gain access to excellent resources for the study of history, including the unique archival sources within the Library's Special Collections.
  • Home to the Scottish Parliament, the city of Edinburgh offers the perfect location in which to study politics. We offer you a dynamic environment, regularly hosting leading international academics, politicians and diplomats.

Being in the William Robertson Wing (HCA’s part of the Old Medical School) never gets old. The Student Research Room and UG Common Room are calming and productive spaces to be in. Meeting familiar faces in the central stairway makes me feel part of a school community, which provides motivation to give something back in return.

Josh MA History and Politics, graduated 2024

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MA (Hons) History and Politics

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) History and Politics.

Tuition fees for this programme

Accommodation and living costs

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

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

History

In Year 1 you will take survey courses.

These courses emphasise processes and patterns within broad chronological and geographical frameworks and introduce you to fundamental historical skills.

They are designed to give you the knowledge and tools to prepare you for more specialised study in Years 3 and 4.

You will take a skills course largely focused on modern history.

You will also choose between:

  • a course covering the medieval period
  • a course covering the early modern period
Politics

You will study three compulsory courses in politics:

  • Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
  • Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension
  • Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory)
Option courses

You will also choose from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subjects.

Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will study at least one politics course, including Comparative Politics in a Globalized World.

Year 2 history courses extend your range geographically and chronologically, covering various historic periods and themes in:

  • American history
  • European history
  • British history
  • Scottish history
  • global history

As in Year 1, Year 2 history courses offer broad surveys that are designed to prepare you for more specialised study in Years 3 and 4.

You will also:

  • choose one Year 2 history course
  • take a compulsory course on historiography
  • choose from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subjects
Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

In Year 3, you will study courses from a wide range of specialised elective courses in both history and politics, including either a course on:

  • global justice and citizenship, or
  • approaches to politics and international relations

Depending on the courses you choose in Years 1 and 2, you may have the option to choose one from another subject outside of these areas.

Depending on your intended dissertation subject, we recommend you take certain courses.

  • For a dissertation in history, we recommend a course where you will engage with historical skills and methods.
  • For a dissertation in politics, we recommend a course on research design in politics.
Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

In Year 4, you will:

  • study one year-long special subject course in history
  • take further specialist courses in politics
  • engage in independent research to produce an honours dissertation in either history or politics on a topic of your own choosing
Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Study abroad

There are plenty of opportunities to study abroad in Year 3 by applying for one of the University’s many international exchanges. 

These cover many parts of the world, including: 

  • Europe 
  • Asia
  • North America
  • South America
  • Australia
  • New Zealand 

These are unique opportunities to immerse yourself in different university systems and cultures. 

What are my options for going abroad?

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through a range of teaching and learning methods, including:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • seminars
  • independent study

For option courses, teaching and learning methods may vary. 

Pre-honours

In Years 1 and 2, formal teaching involves lectures and tutorials.

Lectures are delivered by experts in the field and provide an overview of key themes, concepts and questions relating to the week's topic. 

In tutorials, the emphasis is on student discussion in small groups. Some courses also incorporate small student study groups, which help you learn from each other in preparation for tutorials. 

You will also study independently, and there will be a focus on reading in preparation for lectures and tutorials.

Honours

Years 3 and 4 involve more seminars and independent study, with individual supervision of your dissertation in Year 4.

Changes to teaching and learning

As part of our commitment to offering high-quality education, there may be changes to course options and delivery. We try to provide a wide range of option courses to choose from, but these may be changed or cancelled at short notice. Therefore, we cannot guarantee every student their top choice of option courses.

Assessment

Our courses use a variety of assessment methods to help you develop transferable skills and improve your performance. 

You will be assessed by exams and coursework. Your coursework may include:

  • essays
  • primary source analyses
  • oral presentations
  • podcasts
  • online discussion forums
  • participation in tutorials and seminars

This is an example of what your timetable could look like in Semester 1 of Year 1 of History and Politics if you took Medieval Worlds as your History option course, for example.

There is a high level of flexibility in the other courses you can study. You can discuss this with your academic cohort lead and student adviser. Courses may be subject to change and availability, and your timetable may be different.

Monday
  • 10am to 10:50am Medieval Worlds: A Journey through the Middle Ages (lecture)
  • 3:10pm to 4pm Politics and International Relations 1A (lecture)
Tuesday
  • 5:10pm to 6pm Historian’s Toolkit (tutorial)
Wednesday
  • 10am to 10:50am Medieval Worlds: A Journey through the Middle Ages (lecture)
  • 12:10pm to 1pm Historian’s Toolkit (lecture)
Thursday
  • 3:10pm to 4pm Politics and International Relations 1A (lecture)
  • 4:10pm to 5pm Medieval Worlds: A Journey through the Middle Ages (tutorial)
Friday
  • 10am to 10:50am Politics and International Relations 1A (tutorial)
  • 2:10pm to 3pm Historian’s Toolkit (lecture)

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.

Support for your studies

Where you will study

Study location

The School of History, Classics and Archaeology is located in the heart of the city, in the University's Central Area. The Central Area is located on the edge of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, surrounded by lots of green space.

Our building, the William Robertson Wing of the Old Medical School, is Grade A-listed. The building is in the Northern Italian Renaissance style, incorporating design influences from Venice and Bologna, including red-tiled roofs, a corbelled stair turret and palazzo frontages.

You will be taught in a range of lecture theatres and seminar rooms in the School and across the University's Central Area.

Academic facilities

In our building, you will have access to: 

  • a range of study spaces
  • our Student Research Room
  • research collections
  • an undergraduate common room

You will also have access to the University's libraries and computing facilities, located in George Square.

External resources

As well as using our own resources and those of the University Library, you can apply for access to the outstanding collections of the:

  • National Library of Scotland
  • National Museum of Scotland

Career paths

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

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

Further study

After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:

  • a masters degree
  • a postgraduate diploma or certificate
  • a PhD
  • a second undergraduate degree

Find out about options for further study

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

On our student blogs, our student writers from History, Classics and Archaeology (HCA) and Social and Political Science (SPS) share their experiences and thoughts on the things that matter to them, including:

  • life as a student on a joint degree
  • writing your first assignment
  • what to do in Edinburgh on the weekend
  • what to expect in Welcome Week
  • living away from home
  • hybrid learning
  • living sustainably

Student blogs from the School of History, Classics and Archaeology (HCA)

Student blogs from the School of Social and Political Science (SPS)

Student testimonials from SPS

Hear about what it's like to study with us, and about life in Edinburgh from those who know it best: our students and graduates.

Undergraduate student testimonials - School of Social and Political Science

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

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

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

Societies

Sports clubs

At the School of History, Classics and Archaeology our societies regularly hold events. These are a great way to meet new people and get involved in exciting student-run projects, and they form the hub of our student community.

History Society

The History Society is one of the oldest and largest societies on campus, renowned for its welcoming spirit and social events for which it has won many awards.

The History Society hosts guest lecturers, organises careers events, and works closely with the EUSA Liberation groups. It also holds regular social events from film screenings and karaoke to a black-tie Winter Ball. As well as all this, it runs an annual international trip and has five sports teams.

History Society

Classics Society

The Edinburgh University Classics Society welcomes everyone who has an interest in the Ancient World. The Society hosts a variety of socials, ranging from pub nights to staff-student events, symposiums and 'Hadrian’s Ball'. It also organises an international trip.

The Society conducts outreach work at local schools through their Literacy Through Latin programme and welcomes anyone with a basic knowledge of Latin to volunteer. Toga tying is a speciality.

Classics Society

ArchSoc (Archaeology Society) and EAOP (Edinburgh Archaeology Outreach Project)

Fortune and glory! ArchSoc welcomes everyone with an interest in archaeology and heritage to its academic and social events throughout the year. Try your hand at excavating, join them on trips to local heritage sites, or attend any of their informal gatherings and annual socials for Halloween and Christmas.

The Edinburgh Archaeology Outreach Project (EAOP) is made up of undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students of the University of Edinburgh and members of the Archaeology Society. The aim of EAOP is to provide children in Edinburgh and its wider communities with free experience and insight into a subject that may have been unavailable to them.

Archaeology Society

The Edinburgh Archaeology Outreach Project

Retrospect

Retrospect is the University's student-led History, Classics and Archaeology journal. Whether you are interested in writing about your subject outside of your studies, or simply want to gain experience in:

  • writing
  • editing
  • designing
  • publishing

Retrospect is the place to be.

The journal is published once a semester and runs an excellent calendar of socials and careers events.

Retrospect

Social and Political Science societies

Most of the departments in the School of Social and Political Science have associated student societies, which offer you the best chance to develop your interests, network and meet like-minded people.

Edinburgh Political Union

Contact the Edinburgh Political Union via email.

Sustainable Development Association

Contact the Sustainable Development Association via email.

Sociology Society

Contact the Sociology Society via email.

Social Anthropology Society

Contact the Social Anthropology Society via email.

Social Policy Society

Contact the Social Policy Society via email.

Q Step Society

Contact Q Step Society via email.

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 adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

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