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History

Course details
  • Master of Arts (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 13 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

History at Aberdeen offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in rich study of all aspects of human adventure in the past, exploring the medieval, early modern and modern periods in Scotland, Europe, America, Asia and Africa. You will study at a university steeped in 500 years of history.

You will learn in buildings centuries old, yet with the most modern teaching and technology, enthused and inspired by teachers who are leaders in their fields, with expertise as diverse as medieval Scandinavia, early-modern Poland and modern East Asia.

You will have the opportunity of courses in historical chronological order, ranging from the ancient world to the present day and gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between cultures and national traditions.

You will benefit from access to our historic treasures including manuscripts, books, and museum exhibits collected by distinguished alumni, thinkers and explorers over 500 years, in collections accredited as nationally significant, and of international importance.

Our History graduates are highly attractive to employers for their skills in research, critical analysis, and communication, as well as the understanding of different aspects of human society and culture. Your career options will cover almost every field including politics, education, law, business, ministry, nursing, social work, the armed forces, journalism, NGOs and the heritage sectors.

You will enjoy all the benefits of learning and living in our friendly and vibrant international community, on our beautiful campus with great facilities for learning, sports and leisure and many opportunities to develop the extra skills to boost your employability and to broaden your horizons through studying abroad.

Modules

Course Modules

View all modules on the programme page to find out more about what you will be studying and when. University of Aberdeen modules are designed to give you breadth and depth to your degree. The range of modules you study will allow you to become proficient in all subjects which are directly relevant to your degree giving you greater career options.
History at Aberdeen is diverse and takes a holistic approach to the subject. Courses are studied in chronological order so you will benefit from studying the subject within a solid context. You will gain an in-depth knowledge of past events, human activity and the relationships between cultures over a range of historical periods. Some topics that you will explore, include Scottish and European History, The Vikings, Medieval Europe, History and Philosophy of Science and The British Experience.

Assessment method

The use of various forms of assessment and learning environments facilitates the development of generic transferable skills enhancing student employability.

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods: coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course; practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and written examinations at the end of each course. The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
V100
Institution code:
A20
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
BBC

For First Year Entry a minimum of 3 A Levels at BBC.
For Second Year Entry a minimum of an A in the subject selected for Single Honours plus BB, or AB in the subjects selected for Joint Honours plus a further B.
GCSE in English or English Language is also required.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish HNC
Pass

For entry to Year 2:
Satisfactory completion of HNC Social Sciences (120 SCQF credit points). B in all Graded Units. Students should take units A and B of the discipline/s they wish to study at university, e.g. Psychology A (FK8D 34) and B (J030 34). For Joint honours programmes, students must take A and B for both disciplines.

Scottish HND
Pass

For entry to Year 3:
Satisfactory completion of HND Social Sciences (240 SCQF credit points). BBA in Graded Units, where A is the Graded Unit Project in the discipline you wish to contiue to study. Curriculum to include: History A: Introducing Topics within a Historical Period (FK7V 34); History B: Analysing Topics within a Historical Period (J02X 34); History C: Evaluating Topics within a Historical Period (J0LS 34); History D: Specialist Study (FK7T 35).

Scottish Higher
BBBB

Applicants who have achieved BBBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers / Advanced Highers may be required.
Note: we do not double count a Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject, but we do consider that a B at Adv Higher is equivalent to an A grade at Higher.

National 5 English at minimum grade C.

Scottish Advanced Higher
ABB

Second year entry may be possible in most school based subjects. A minimum of ABB overall in Adv Higher is required. Adv Higher at A in the subject selected for Single Honours or AB in the subject selected for Joint Honours.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 32

For entry into First Year, a minimum of 32 points required, including at least 5,5,5 at HL.
For entry into Second Year, a minimum of 36 points, including at 6, 6, 6 at Higher level in subject(s) selected.
English at a minimum of Standard level required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DMM

Minimum entry requirement: DMM in related subjects. GCSE at C or above in English is also required.

Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)
Pass

One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3H3H3H3H3

Five subjects at Higher at H3. O in English or in English Language also required for entry.

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: For entry to Year 2:
Satisfactory completion of HNC Social Sciences (120 SCQF credit points). B in all Graded Units. Students should take units A and B of the discipline/s they wish to study at university, e.g. Psychology A (FK8D 34) and B (J030 34). For Joint honours programmes, students must take A and B for both disciplines.

For entry to Year 3:
Satisfactory completion of HND Social Sciences (240 SCQF credit points). BBA in Graded Units, where A is the Graded Unit Project in the discipline you wish to contiue to study. Curriculum to include: History A: Introducing Topics within a Historical Period (FK7V 34); History B: Analysing Topics within a Historical Period (J02X 34); History C: Evaluating Topics within a Historical Period (J0LS 34); History D: Specialist Study (FK7T 35). https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/find-a-degree.php#faq2

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6Overall - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted.
TOEFL (iBT)78TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition (online) - DI code is 0818: Overall 78 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above.
PTE Academic59Overall - 59 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted.
Trinity ISEPassPass overall at ISE II with a distinction in writing and merit in the other three skills.
Institution's Own TestAcademic English Pre-sessional Programmes - Pass (valid for one year) OR Academic English Preparation Programme - Pass at Level Four (valid for one year)
Cambridge English AdvancedCOverall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCOverall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169.

To study for an undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, or through a recognised English language test. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your degree programme, unless otherwise stated.https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/undergraduate-degrees-english-requirements-268.php

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We are keen to encourage students from the widest possible range of backgrounds to participate in University studies, and we appreciate that not all students have the same opportunity to meet our advertised entry requirements.

For this reason we take contextualised information into account when making decisions on the applications we have received. Decisions are made in line with the University's Contexualised Admissions Policy.

Learn more on the University of Aberdeen website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not available

Historical entry grades data is not currently available for University of Aberdeen - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Fee information is not yet published for entry in Academic Year 2027/2028. For guidance, the fees on the website are for 2026/27.

Sponsorship information

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - International - UG & PGDE

The University of Aberdeen is keen to welcome talented students from all over the world. To help students fulfil their academic ambitions and ease the costs associated with studying abroad, the University is pleased to offer the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. The scholarship is available to all self-funded full-time on-campus undergraduate students classified as international fee status. The amount for students commencing in AY 27/28 has not been confirmed. The scholarship amount will be deducted from your tuition fees, as a fee waiver.

Eligible students must be registering for a full-time on-campus program (Aberdeen) and cannot be fully sponsored or in receipt of fully funded external scholarships or other University of Aberdeen scholarships, except for awards granted by the University of Aberdeen Development Trust. Please note that the scholarship does not apply to the DPLP, Dentistry or Medicine.

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/645

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