MA History and Archaeology

Year 1

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

History

In Year 1, you will take broad survey courses.

These emphasise processes and patterns in broad chronological and geographical frameworks. This is designed to prepare you for more specialised study in Years 3 and 4.

You will also:

• choose one history course
• Take a compulsory skills course examining the nature of history as an academic discipline and the methods and skills required for historical research.

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 3 weeks of archaeological fieldwork.

Year 2

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 1st 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. This develops your understanding of professional archaeological practice and explores exciting innovations in archaeological methods through real-world application and hands-on practical exercises.

History

Year 2 history courses will cover a wider geographical range and time period. Courses currently cover 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 courses and also take a compulsory course in historiography.

Option courses

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

Year 3

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.

Year 4

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

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2024/25)

Our facilities

The School of History, Classics and Archaeology is located in the heart of the city, in the University's Central Area. Here you will have access to:

• a range of study spaces
• our Student Research Room
• research collections
• an undergraduate common room

You will also have access to the University's libraries and computing facilities, located in George Square.

You will be taught in a range of lecture theatres and seminar rooms in the School and across the University's Central Area.

Take a virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the School of History, Classics and Archaeology and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

• Take a virtual tour of the School of History, Classics and Archaeology

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

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
• North and South America
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Asia

These are unique opportunities to immerse yourself in different university systems and cultures.

• What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

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, with 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 final-year dissertation.

How will I be assessed?

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

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 in:

• journalism
• museum and heritage work
• public relations
• the diplomatic service
• teaching

Where our graduates work

Many archaeology graduates find employment as professional archaeologists working for:

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

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

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

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAB by end of S5 or AAAA by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (Revised 18/04/2024 to lower entry requirements from AAAA, preferred by S5.)
• A Levels: A*AA.
• IB: 39 points with 666 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA History and Archaeology

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 undertake 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.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

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