Scottish Ethnology and Scottish History

Uncover Scotland’s past and help shape its future, while gaining skills that you can apply to any culture or country.

This innovative joint honours programme combines two complementary approaches to the study of the Scottish nation, past and present.

Over the course of your studies, you will gain the skills to handle and interpret:

• historic artefacts

• print and traditional resources

• modern media and digital data

Taking this programme shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.

Scottish Ethnology

Ethnology is the discipline which studies the culture and traditions of developed societies. It is sometimes described as being at the intersection where history and anthropology meet.

While ethnology is commonly offered in universities across Europe, this is the only full undergraduate programme of its kind in the UK.

Focusing on Scotland, but also looking at comparative material from elsewhere, you will study the varying ways in which a modern European nation expresses itself culturally. Our courses explore how customs, beliefs, social organisation, language, music and song help to create and shape identity.

You will work with the rich range of materials in the School of Scottish Studies Archives and Scottish Studies Library: over 33,000 recordings, thousands of photographs, and rarely-seen historic documents.

These materials are kept alive through our teaching, our undergraduate and postgraduate research, and through the work of our Traditional Artist and Gaelic Writer in Residence.

Scottish History

We are one of the great centres for the study of Scottish History. We offer an unrivalled concentration of expertise with courses covering the political, intellectual, economic, social and cultural history of Scotland, from the medieval period to the recent past.

Our courses deal with the great events, movements and ideas that have defined the Scottish past, and with the individuals, communities and institutions that have shaped Scottish life.

Particular emphasis is given to:

• the history of Edinburgh

• Scotland’s evolving relationship with the other parts of the British Isles

• the significant influence of Scots across the wider world

Beyond the University, you will benefit from the rich archival resources available across the city of Edinburgh. These include the National Library, Records, Galleries and Museums of Scotland.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of subjects and disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities, social sciences and beyond.

Your final two years will be your honours years. They will be tailored to your interests in specific topics, periods, or approaches to Scottish Ethnology and Scottish History.

Programme benefits

• Take the only programme of its kind in the world.

• Learn in the heart of Scotland's historic capital city.

• Be inspired by traditional musicians, composers and storytellers.

• Delve into fantastic libraries, archives and collections.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Join societies related to what you are studying.