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 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.

Programme benefits

• Learn to see society differently, gaining perspectives you can apply to any country, culture or place.

• Study in the heart of Scotland's capital city, a cultural and historical treasure trove.

• Take courses over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.

• Explore fantastic libraries, archives and collections at the University and in the city.

• Be inspired by traditional musicians, composers and storytellers and follow in the footsteps of fieldworkers.

• Join societies, attend events, and gain the skills and confidence for life after university.