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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*A*A - AAB. Required subjects: A levels: no specific A level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
Most popular A-levels studied
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.
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| History | A |
| Biology | A |
| Classical Civilisation | A |
| English Literature | A |
| Fine Art | A |
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| History | A* |
| English Literature | A* |
| Mathematics | A |
| Government and Politics | A* |
| Economics | A* |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: VV1K
Here's what University of Edinburgh says about its History and Archaeology course.
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
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.
Source: University of Edinburgh
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
14 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Scotland | £1,820 per year (provisional) |
| Wales | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Republic of Ireland | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| EU | £29,600 per year |
| International | £29,600 per year |
University of Edinburgh student reviews
Showing 113 reviews
1st year
Environmental sciences
1 week ago
1st year
Environmental sciences
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1st year
Environmental sciences
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1st year
Environmental sciences
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1st year
Environmental sciences
1 week ago
Do not choose the University of Edinburgh if you want a positive student experience and a quality education! UoE puts profit before students! I’m a postgraduate student studying Environmental Sustainability at UoE, and I’m protesting my university making rapid, severe, and unnecessary budget cuts t...
1st year student
1 year ago
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!
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Edinburgh
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
88%
low
Teaching on my course
88%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
80%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
95%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
88%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
89%
low
Learning opportunities
73%
low
Learning opportunities
73%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
78%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
74%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
71%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
88%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
53%
low
Assessment and feedback
62%
low
Assessment and feedback
62%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
74%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
74%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
60%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
50%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
51%
low
Academic support
88%
low
Academic support
88%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
92%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
85%
low
Organisation and management
76%
low
Organisation and management
76%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
77%
med
How well organised is your course?
76%
low
Learning resources
86%
low
Learning resources
86%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
79%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
93%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
86%
low
Student voice
64%
low
Student voice
64%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
43%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
78%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
70%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
52%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
75%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
53%
low
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
93%
med
Teaching on my course
93%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
94%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
95%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
88%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
94%
med
Learning opportunities
80%
low
Learning opportunities
80%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
81%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
85%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
79%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
93%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
64%
low
Assessment and feedback
60%
low
Assessment and feedback
60%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
71%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
69%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
53%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
44%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
66%
low
Academic support
92%
med
Academic support
92%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
93%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
91%
low
Organisation and management
83%
med
Organisation and management
83%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
74%
med
How well organised is your course?
91%
med
Learning resources
87%
med
Learning resources
87%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
86%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
95%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
78%
low
Student voice
73%
low
Student voice
73%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
49%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
90%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
79%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
54%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
88%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
77%
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.
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
£24.8k
First year after graduation
£31k
Third year after graduation
£35.4k
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
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