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Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)
History and Archaeology
University of Edinburgh
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the History and Archaeology course at University of Edinburgh.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A*,A,A
A*AA. Required subjects: A levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year |
| Scotland | £1,820 per year |
| Wales | £9,535 per year |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year |
| Republic of Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| EU | £28,000 per year |
| International | £28,000 per year |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: VV1K
Here's what University of Edinburgh says about its History and Archaeology course.
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
Course details
Qualification
Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)
Department
School of History, Classics and Archaeology
Location
Central area campus | Edinburgh
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Archaeology
• History
Start date
September 8, 2025
Application deadline
January 29, 2025
University of Edinburgh reviews
Showing 108 reviews
1st year student
I love our student union, I think it is a great space and a good bar, however the student union club could do with a bit of work, making it more accessible and having a range of music. The drinks are a good price, and food deals are welcomed!
1 year ago
1st year student
Campus is sociable and vibrant during the day and in the evening. There is lots to do throughout the week, but I do feel that this dies down quickly. I think overall it is very good, but that there could be better communication in showing students what is out there. rn
1 year ago
1st year student
I haven't been made aware of financial support offered, but I know there is it out there, so potentially it could be advertised more. I would say that the university is adding to rising prices of 1st year student accommodation- not helping living in a city where renting student flats is already very...
1 year ago
1st year student
I have had good communication with my student advisor, and have no complaints. However, I feel I have not needed to communicate lots with academic support, so maybe I am not the best representative. The same goes for welfare services.
1 year ago
1st year student
These are great! The main library could be slightly larger or have more seating areas, just as it is often difficult to find a seat. But I love all the other libraries available, and the fact that our main one is 24/7.
1 year ago
1st year student
I personally enjoy my course, but feel as if first year has been very broad. I understand all things need to be covered, but potentially there could be an evaluation of things everyone has learnt across Higher Scottish exams, A-level and international qualifications, to limit going over unnecessary ...
1 year ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
The History and Archaeology course at University of Edinburgh features content from more than one subject area. Using the options below, you can see ratings from students who took courses in each of these subject areas at this uni
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
84%
low
Teaching on my course
84%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
75%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
90%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
79%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
90%
med
Learning opportunities
64%
low
Learning opportunities
64%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
69%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
64%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
66%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
77%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
42%
low
Assessment and feedback
55%
low
Assessment and feedback
55%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
70%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
72%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
56%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
24%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
51%
low
Academic support
80%
low
Academic support
80%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
84%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
75%
low
Organisation and management
66%
low
Organisation and management
66%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
69%
low
How well organised is your course?
63%
low
Learning resources
88%
med
Learning resources
88%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
80%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
97%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
86%
low
Student voice
56%
low
Student voice
56%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
32%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
74%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
63%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
43%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
67%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
55%
low
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
72%
low
Teaching on my course
72%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
60%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
80%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
80%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
70%
low
Learning opportunities
58%
low
Learning opportunities
58%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
73%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
57%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
53%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
61%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
47%
low
Assessment and feedback
55%
low
Assessment and feedback
55%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
64%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
81%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
47%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
30%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
51%
low
Academic support
73%
low
Academic support
73%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
76%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
70%
low
Organisation and management
61%
low
Organisation and management
61%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
59%
low
How well organised is your course?
61%
low
Learning resources
74%
low
Learning resources
74%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
67%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
83%
low
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
71%
low
Student voice
56%
low
Student voice
56%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
27%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
73%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
67%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
57%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
74%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
72%
med
Student information
The History and Archaeology course at University of Edinburgh features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| History | B | |||||
| English Literature | A | |||||
| Classical Civilisation | A* | |||||
| Biology | A | |||||
| Geography | A | |||||
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| History | A | |||||
| English Literature | A | |||||
| Government and Politics | A | |||||
| Mathematics | A | |||||
| Economics | A | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
We have no information about graduates who took History and Archaeology at University of Edinburgh.
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Edinburgh graduates who took History and Archaeology - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£21.9k
First year after graduation
£29.2k
Third year after graduation
£31.8k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to History and Archaeology.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about University of Edinburgh on The Student Room.
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