MSc in History (Online Learning)

Join our flexible online History Masters programme and gain a graduate degree from a world-leading university. History at Edinburgh is currently ranked 17th among all History departments in the world (QS World University Rankings 2018).

Launched in 2013, our innovative online MSc in History allows students across the world to take advantage of the remarkable range of historical expertise available at the University of Edinburgh.

Why study with us?

This programme will give you specialised knowledge and understanding of history and its central issues. Examine historical sources and evaluate existing research. Choose from a diverse range of topics - from American politics to modern Japanese history, or interwar Europe to medieval Scottish history. You'll then be able to further your own specialised interests through the dissertation.

Taught by one of the largest groups of historians in any British university and ranked 17th in the world for history (QS World University Subject Rankings 2018), you will encounter a stimulating environment in which to further your interest in practically any era of history and many regions of the world.

If you have recently graduated and would like to continue your studies, are considering returning to education, or wish to retrain or pursue a personal interest in the subject of history, the online MSc provides the ideal balance between a busy life and studying towards an internationally recognised graduate qualification, without the disruption or expense of relocation. Over 50 students have already graduated from our programme.

Flexibility of study

Thanks to our state-of-the-art e-learning software and extensive digital resources, the programme is delivered entirely online. This enables you to manage work, childcare or other personal commitments whilst studying at your own pace and developing your own specialised interest under the expert guidance of our distinguished academics.

You will benefit from the flexible structure of the programme which allows you to earn a graduate certificate, diploma, or MSc by completing skills training courses and specialised option courses.

Programme structure

Designed with flexibility in mind, our online learning History masters offers you the opportunity to study at an advanced level, in a way that works for you.

The online programme can be taken full-time or part-time, with study commencing in September. You will study at your own pace, completing the degree in one to six years. You can exit the programme at any stage with the qualification you have earned, which is determined by the number of credits successfully achieved at the required level (180 credits are required to complete the MSc). Many of our students balance their studies alongside other commitments. The programme’s flexible structure supports this, allowing part-time students the opportunity to take fallow semesters, in which you remain on the programme but do not register for courses.

There are two 11 week semesters each year, September to December and January to April. There are no courses offered from May to September to ensure that you are only taught by academic staff, who use the summer months to pursue their research.

Graduates receive identical degree certificates to that of on-campus students. Degree certificates do not state that the programme is delivered online.

Why is the final qualification an MSc rather than an MA?

The ancient Scottish universities (including the University of Edinburgh) traditionally offer the Master of Arts (MA) as an undergraduate academic degree. Our postgraduate history degrees are designated as the Master of Science (MSc) to distinguish them from undergraduate degrees.

How the programme is delivered

Learn more about our teaching methods, collaborative learning, the amount of time required to study and technical requirements.

Teaching

The online MSc History is delivered entirely online. Both the core and option courses are taught through a combination of live virtual seminars and online forums.

Collaborative learning

You will be studying with students from all parts of the world. Debates on the discussion forums take place throughout the term and their flexible nature allows you to contribute to the discussion in your free time, around your other commitments.

Flexible study hours

How much time do you need to commit to your studies?

Technical requirements

In order to study on the programme, you will require a reasonably up-to-date computer (either PC or Mac) and a reliable broadband internet connection which allows video streaming.