University of Aberdeen
History and Philosophy MA (Hons)
University of Aberdeen

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 70 graduates of History and Philosophy MA (Hons) and other courses in History at University of Aberdeen for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in History.

Overall student satisfaction
91 /100
70 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

chart data
Source: National Student Survey NSS 2023. The Overall student satisfaction data point is from 2022 (latest available year). The Office for Students made the unfortunate decision to discontinue collecting overall student satisfaction data points per course.
All History courses of University of Aberdeen
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 £22000 £22500 £28000
25-75 percentile range £19500 - £25000 £17500 - £25500 £21500 - £32500
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All History courses of University of Aberdeen


Salary of all UK Graduates of History

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24665 £22977 £27916
25-75 percentile range £20654 - £28585 £17689 - £28975 £21039 - £36354
Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) by UK Department for Education Dec 20, 2022
All History courses in the UK

Course Description

History and Philosophy at Aberdeen is a great combination to add to your study of all aspects of human activity in the past with a fascinating exploration of how we as humans approach the ‘big questions’ of fundamental importance to us throughout the ages to the present day. You will gain a brilliant combination of academic and intellectual skills to make you a very attractive graduate with wide career options.

You will be enthused and inspired by teachers who are leaders in their fields, with expertise as diverse as medieval Scandinavia, early-modern Poland and modern East Asia and enthralled by our wonderful collections of historic treasures collected by distinguished alumni over the centuries.

Philosophers attempt to answer questions such as: What is knowledge? What is the nature of truth? Why should we act morally? Philosophy is just as much the study of reasoning and argument as it is the application of thought to specific problems. What makes Philosophy at Aberdeen especially attractive is the breadth of courses, the user-friendly materials you will use and the experts who will teach you.

In your first year alone, you will study topics such as How Should One Live? Controversial Questions, and Experience, Knowledge and Reality. The skills you will develop through these subjects – including critical thinking and analysis – will be a great foundation for careers in all sector of business and the public sector, journalism, marketing, local and national government and much more.

History teaching rated ‘Highly Satisfactory’ in the last national quality assessment and student satisfaction of 95%. History research at Aberdeen is ranked top in Scotland. Philosophy ranked top in Scotland for teaching and course content in the last National Student Survey.

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.

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All History courses of University of Aberdeen

Current jobs

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All courses of University of Aberdeen

Required skill level of job after 15 months

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All History courses of University of Aberdeen

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

Example below based on all graduates of History and Philosophy MA (Hons) at University of Aberdeen

15% Finance Professionals
15% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
15% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
10% Media Professionals
10% Artistic, literary and media occupations
10% Administrative occupations
10% Sales occupations
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Elementary occupations
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023

Grading & Study Time

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**Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:** Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course; Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; Written examinations at the end of each course. The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses. Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for History

chart data
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023
All History courses of University of Aberdeen

Qualification requirements

HNC in Care and Administrative Practice or Applied Science with B required in graded unit for entry to Year 1 Sufficient science and discursive subjects and a strong academic profile to be competitive. English and Maths at least at National 5 Grade B.

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

Overall - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above.

IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted
TOEFL (iBT) 78

TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition (online) - DI code is 0818: Overall 78 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above.
PTE Academic 59

Overall - 59 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above.

Online Test is not accepted
Trinity ISE

Pass overall at ISE II with a distinction in writing and merit in the other three skills.
Institution's Own Test

Academic English Pre-sessional Programmes - Pass (valid for one year) OR Academic English Preparation Programme - Pass at Level Four (valid for one year)
Cambridge English Advanced

Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169.
Cambridge English Proficiency

Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169.
Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs.

View the University of Aberdeen Online Prospectus programme page to find out about any scholarships and funding you may be able to apply for.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study History and Philosophy, 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 Philosophy MA (Hons)

Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £21900 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £21900 year 1
International £21900 year 1
EU £20800 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
International £20800 year 1

Additional fee information

EU/International Applicants: When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country, and arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs.

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

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.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

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)
  • year 2

University Rankings

Positions of University of Aberdeen in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Aberdeen in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #3 
    • #33 
    History
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #5 
    • #36 
    History
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #4 
    • #151 
    History
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

See all 29 university rankings of University of Aberdeen

About University of Aberdeen

Dating back to the year 1495 we find the University of Aberdeen, located in the Scottish city of the same name. The main site of this ancient institution is Old Aberdeen, where students in the arts and social sciences as well as the physical sciences carry out their learning. Meanwhile on the significantly more modern campus site Foresterhill, learners in the medical and research fields occupy their own purpose-built buildings, such as Suttie Centre.

List of 511 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Aberdeen - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Main Site
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Admission advice for international students