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Scottish Ethnology and Scottish History at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

Open days

2Jun
The University of Edinburgh - Edinburgh College of Art - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate
20Jun
The University of Edinburgh - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

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.

How to apply

This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

14Jan

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:
VV92
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/343-scottish-ethnology-and-scottish-history

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/343-scottish-ethnology-and-scottish-history

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 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)92total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:

https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
64%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
86%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands £9535* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535* Year 1
Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9535* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535* Year 1
Wales £9535* Year 1
EU £29600 Year 1
International £29600 Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535. For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits. EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Scottish Ethnology and Scottish History at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS