History and Archaeology MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: History

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

VV1K

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

Accreditation

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

The history and archaeology degree combines specialist studies in history with the distinctive insights and methodologies of archaeology.

Edinburgh has a strong tradition in these subjects, and excellent printed and material collections to support intensive study in both disciplines.

History

We offer an exceptionally wide range of history courses, covering:

  • historical periods from the early Middle Ages to the contemporary world
  • geographical regions, including:
    • Britain and Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • the Americas

Our history courses also cover a wide variety of approaches to the past, including:

  • political history
  • cultural history
  • social history
  • economic history
  • intellectual history
  • gender history
  • global and transnational history

Archaeology

Archaeology investigates the human past using material remains such as artefacts and excavated sites to reconstruct the economic, social and cultural life of early societies.

At Edinburgh, we have a rich tradition of archaeological teaching and research, specialising in:

  • European prehistory
  • the early civilisations of the Mediterranean
  • the Near East and Egypt

You will be introduced to standard and innovative archaeological techniques and the practice and theory of archaeology. This will include:

  • the study of science-based archaeology
  • the study of animal and human bones
  • digital applications

Practical skills

We emphasise the importance of training in practical archaeological skills.

You will have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in artefact identification and analysis in practical sessions using artefacts from our own Vere Gordon Childe collection.

Fieldwork

You will complete three weeks of archaeological fieldwork at the end of Year 1. In later years of study, you will also have the option to do:

  • further fieldwork
  • projects in heritage management and public engagement
  • lab-based analysis of archaeological remains

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.
  • Discover current thinking on some of the best known and most spectacular archaeological sites.
  • Receive an introduction to the tools and skills archaeologists use to reconstruct the past.
  • Gain hands-on experience of artefact identification and analysis.

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 Archaeology

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

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

In Year 1, we expect you to participate in an archaeological fieldwork project.

Normally, the minimum requirement is three weeks of field experience. Archaeological projects often charge a participation fee.

We are able to make a contribution towards your mandatory fieldwork. However, the overall cost to you will depend on the type of work chosen and the location.

In later years, you may decide to carry out additional practical archaeological work in the holidays following Years 2 and 3.

If you study abroad in Year 3, your costs will vary by country.

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
Archaeology

In Year 1, you will study Archaeology 1A and Archaeology 1B. 

These courses offer a broad introduction to our human past. They cover the period from the evolution of the first humans several million years ago, to the emergence of farming and the development of civilisations in Europe, Egypt and the Near East. 

These courses also cover the key techniques that archaeologists use, including:

  • methods of site discovery
  • excavation
  • recording and analysing artefacts
  • scientific analysis of animal and human remains
  • recent and innovative approaches to reconstructing the lives of past peoples
Option courses and fieldwork

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

During the long holiday at the end of Year 1, you will undertake three weeks of archaeological fieldwork.

Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

History

Year 2 history courses cover a wider geographical range and time period. Current courses focus on 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 choose one of these broad survey courses and also take a compulsory course in historiography.

Archaeology

You will study the archaeology of Scotland from the earliest evidence of human occupation at the end of the last ice age to the Roman incursion in the early first millennium AD.

Key themes include:

  • the world heritage sites in the "heart" of Scotland (such as Neolithic Orkney)
  • human-environment interaction
  • the ways the environment shapes human behaviour
  • the lasting impact activities like farming had on the Scottish landscape

A field trip to visit archaeological sites and visits to the Museum of Scotland are core components of this course. 

You will also study Archaeology in Action, which will develop your understanding of professional archaeological practice. This course explores exciting innovations in archaeological methods through real-world application and hands-on practical exercises.

Option courses

You will also 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:

  • take compulsory courses in historical and archaeological skills and methods
  • study courses from a wide range of specialised elective courses in history and archaeology (depending on the courses you choose in Years 1 and 2, you may have the option to choose one from another subject outside history)

If you intend to do a dissertation in history, we recommend taking a course where you will engage with historical skills and methods.

Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

In Year 4, you will:

  • study a year-long history special subject course
  • take further specialist option courses in archaeology or classical art/archaeology
  • engage in independent research to produce an honours dissertation in either history or archaeology 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 Archaeology if you took Medieval Worlds as your 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.

In addition to the sample timetable below, academic staff have weekly Office Hours where you can visit a lecturer or tutor to discuss elements of course content or assessment.

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

Some of your classes will also take place at the National Museum of Scotland.

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

We also have five archaeological research and teaching laboratories. These include post-excavation processing and wet chemistry labs, and a large teaching laboratory for the study of skeletal remains.

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

Accreditation

You can choose to take a professionally accredited pathway in this programme.

This pathway is accredited by the University Archaeology UK (UAUK) and the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in the UK and overseas.

Accreditation recognises that the Edinburgh degree provides skills relevant to a career in the historic environment and provides you with the opportunity to join CIfA as a means of supporting your professional development.

Career paths

History

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

Archaeology

With an archaeology qualification from the University of Edinburgh, you will:

  • gain practical, social, intellectual and theoretical skills
  • learn to think logically by developing sound research and analytical skills
  • be able to compile and critically evaluate evidence in order to formulate and present an argument coherently
  • become familiar with a range of disciplines, enabling you to demonstrate intellectual flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to new situations
  • develop a range of practical archaeological skills through fieldwork, which will enable you to appreciate more fully our human environment and its role in the contemporary world

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

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

Many archaeology graduates find employment as professional archaeologists working for:

  • government agencies
  • universities
  • museums and heritage organisations
  • applied archaeological companies and consultancies

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 blog, our team of History, Classics and Archaeology student writers share their experiences and thoughts on the things that matter to them, including:

  • life as a student on a joint degree
  • transitioning to university as a mature student
  • studying in Edinburgh when English is not your first language
  • tips for disabled students

Student blogs from the School of History, Classics and Archaeology

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

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

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

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

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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