The University of Edinburgh
History and Archaeology MA (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 180 graduates of History and Archaeology MA (Hons) and other courses in History at The University of Edinburgh for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in History.

Overall student satisfaction
75 /100
180 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in History

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of History at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £25000 £30500
25-75 percentile range £21500 - £31000 £19500 - £31500 £23000 - £42500


Salary of all UK Graduates of History

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24405 £22643 £27403
25-75 percentile range £20545 - £28120 £17457 - £28376 £20781 - £35411

Course Description

This programme allows you to pursue specialist studies in history in combination with the distinctive insights and methodologies of archaeology.

Edinburgh has a strong tradition in both history and archaeology and excellent collections of printed and material collections to support intensive study in these 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, and 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 and digital applications.

Practical skills

We emphasise the importance of training in practical archaeological skills.

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

Fieldwork

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

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

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of History and Archaeology MA (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh

21% Business and public service associate professionals
12% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
10% Engineering professionals
8% Managers, directors and senior officials
8% Information Technology Professionals
7% Administrative occupations
6% Information Technology Professionals
5% Conservation and environment professionals
4% Elementary occupations
3% Finance Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

Total 65 with at least 5.5 in each component.

TOEFL (iBT) 92

Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

Cambridge English Advanced

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Cambridge English Proficiency

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Trinity ISE

ISE II with distinctions in all four components

PTE Academic 62

Total 62 with at least 54 in each component

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study History and Archaeology, MA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees History and Archaeology MA (Hons)

Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £26500 year 1
International £26500 year 1

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Edinburgh in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of The University of Edinburgh in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #1 
    • #14 
    History
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #2 
    • #15 
    History
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #1 
    • #21 
    History
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #4 
    • #36 
    History
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]

See all 40 university rankings of The University of Edinburgh

About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is located in the Scottish city of the same name, and is one of the oldest universities in the entire United Kingdom, having opened in the year 1583. The university enjoys a strong reputation for its contributions to international research efforts, which is reflected in their inclusion in the Russell Group, Universitas 21, and Una Europa. Edinburgh offers its residents a historic yet modern city, with a lively nightlife scene, reliable public transport, and friendly locals.

List of 686 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Edinburgh - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Central area campus
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History MA (Hons) The University of Edinburgh - - - £9250 £26500 - Edinburgh On campus Full-time
Archaeology MA (Hons) The University of Edinburgh 85% 0% 0% £9250 £26500 202 Edinburgh On campus Full-time
Scottish Ethnology and Archaeology MA (Hons) The University of Edinburgh 72% 0% 5% £9250 £26500 181 Edinburgh On campus Full-time
Anthropology and Archaeology MA (Hons) University of Aberdeen - - - £9250 £21900 £20800 - Aberdeen On campus Full-time
Archaeology and Art History MA (Hons) University of Aberdeen - - - £9250 £21900 £20800 - Aberdeen On campus Full-time
Archaeology and Social Anthropology MA (Hons) The University of Edinburgh 73% 0% 10% £9250 £26500 181 Edinburgh On campus Full-time
Classical Archaeology and Latin MA (Hons) The University of Edinburgh - - - £9250 £26500 - Edinburgh On campus Full-time
Archaeology and Ancient History MA (Hons) The University of Edinburgh 87% 0% 0% £9250 £26500 191 Edinburgh On campus Full-time
Archaeology and Celtic & Anglo Saxon Studies MA (Hons) University of Aberdeen 85% 0% 2% £9250 £21900 £20800 171 Aberdeen On campus Full-time
Archaeology Msci (Hons) Queen's University of Belfast 80% 0% 15% £9250 £17900 145 Belfast On campus Full-time