Postgraduate Students

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.

Studying for a single course

Studying a single course will take a semester.

Completion of any specialist option course 20 credits

Studying for the Postgraduate Certificate

The certificate is expected to take a semester to complete via full-time study, or up to three semesters part time.

Certificate (60 credits)  
Completion of either core course (Historical Skills & Sources or Approaches to History)  
20 credits
Specialist option course 20 credits
Specialist option course 20 credits

Studying for the Postgraduate Diploma

The diploma is expected to take two semesters to complete via full-time study, or up to six semesters part time.

Diploma (120 credits) 20 credits
Historical Skills & Sources (core course) 20 credits
Specialist option course 20 credits
Specialist option course 20 credits
Specialist option course 20 credits
Specialist option course 20 credits
Approaches to History (core course) 20 credits

Studying for the MSc

The full MSc is expected to take a year to complete via full-time study, 2 years part-time study or between 2-6 years flexible study. You must complete all requirements for the Diploma before undertaking the dissertation.

MSc (180 credits)  
Historical Skills & Sources (core course) 20 credits
Specialist option course 20 credits
Specialist option course 20 credits
Specialist option course 20 credits
Specialist option course 20 credits
Approaches to History (core course) 20 credits
12,000-15,000 word dissertation 60 credits