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Architectural History and Heritage at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course summary

MA Architectural History and Heritage explores how people have imagined, designed and used buildings and places in the past. It also considers how these places can be understood today, and what they can tell us about bigger themes in social, political and urban history. Architectural history and heritage involves the study of buildings and places. Our programme offers an unrivalled breadth of study in the historic built environment. It places the history of architecture, fine art and heritage management in the context of urbanism and the cultural history of cities. We also consider issues in contemporary architectural heritage. Our undergraduate degree MA Architectural History and Heritage is the only degree programme at this level in the UK. It is a small, diverse and friendly programme taught by specialist, research-active staff. Programme benefits

  • There are opportunities for study abroad, work placements, and field trips within the programme.
  • This degree is highly distinctive as an undergraduate programme focused on Architectural History and Heritage, which also makes links to other subjects such as History of Art.
  • You will be taught by one of the largest concentrations of architectural history specialists at any UK university, drawing on the latest research.
  • Teaching makes use of the exceptional libraries and archives at the University of Edinburgh as well as the resources of the wider city, a World Heritage Site.
  • The degree is ideally suited for those with interests in history and architecture and may be a gateway to careers or further study in heritage and conservation, or a wide range of other professions.
  • We work closely with local heritage organisations, including Historic Environment Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland, and usually can offer placements within the heritage sector as an element of our Year 3 and 4 teaching.


How to apply

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

Application codes

Course code:
VV31
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/338-architectural-history-and-heritage

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/338-architectural-history-and-heritage


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
No data
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
No data
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
Architectural History and Heritage at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS