Edinburgh: City of History

Dr Sally Crumplin is a Lecturer and Course Organiser in the Centre for Open Learning. Her research and publications focus on medieval society, politics and culture in northern England and southern Scotland, religion and the cult of the saints, and the writing and distribution of medieval manuscripts.

Before joining the Centre for Open Learning, Sally was a Teaching Fellow at the University of St Andrews, taught at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and was a historical researcher at Aberdeen City Council. She has a PhD in Medieval History from the University of St Andrews.

David Santiuste is a Lecturer in history at the Centre for Open Learning, University of Edinburgh and a historian of late medieval Britain. He is the author of two books: Edward IV and the Wars of the Roses and The Hammer of the Scots. His other publications include contributions to Medieval Sexuality: A Casebook and Medieval Warfare.

David grew up in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where his interest in history was inspired by visits to nearby castles and churches – as well as regular trips to his local library. He went on to study at the University of St Andrews, where he continued with postgraduate research.

Lucinda Byatt has taught at the Centre for Open Learning since 2009. Having been a Teaching Fellow until 2021/22, she was promoted to lecturer in 2022/23. Her own research is focused on the links between Rome and Florence, in particular using sixteenth-century Italian cardinalate households as focal points for the study of politics, patronage and service. 

With a background in languages and translation, she teaches Language Paper Two, a full-year honours translation course in the Italian Department. In addition to teaching, she is a literary translator and has published around twenty-five titles, for the most part in history and history of art. 

This intensive course uses the city of Edinburgh as a lens through which to study a broad range of historical themes and contexts, and to develop students’ historical research and study skills. We will work closely with original written and material sources, including privileged access to some of the city’s unique collections, and including evidence such as medieval manuscripts, objects in museums, historic buildings and paintings. Through these sources, we will look at the cultural, economic, social and political history of Edinburgh from the earliest known settlements to the present day, via classroom activities focused on nurturing student-led analysis and discussion of sources and key themes.

The course will look at Edinburgh throughout its history, focusing on a particular theme for each time period. Starting with Iron and Bronze Age and Roman evidence, we will consider how evidence from earliest records can be used before moving on to explore the making of a city and kingdom in the medieval period. The course will cover Edinburgh’s genesis into a capital city, and centre of trade, arts and also conflict; the development of the New Town will be considered along with influence of Georgian grandeur, empire and slavery. We will examine Edinburgh’s role as a centre for education and the Enlightenment, along with the contrasting affluence and poverty accompanying industrial development. The course will finish by considering Edinburgh in recent times, home of the Scottish Parliament and renowned for its summer festivals, as we discuss ideas of independence and culture, and what makes a city’s identity today.

The course will be taught in the classroom and on fieldtrips to city museums, galleries, libraries and historic sites. Students with mobility issues or additional needs should make the Centre for Open Learning aware so that arrangements can be made. Wherever possible, we will choose venues that are wheelchair accessible. Teaching will be a combination of informal lecture, large- and small-group discussion, and expert input at city collections. Students will be expected to prepare for each class with specific focus on a secondary or primary source, including physical and digital resources. Participants will engage actively in learning by preparing source analyses to be presented in class or submitted via discussion forum. These exercises will provide feedback to be fed forward for the final assessment.

Week 1 and Week 2

• Monday - Friday (10:00-13:00)

Assessment will comprise: 

• Written assignment (max. 2000 words) (100%)

 On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:​​​​​​

1. Assess the development of Edinburgh, from initial settlement to the present day.
2. Analyse the history of Edinburgh across a range of themes encompassing its social, economic, political and cultural past, and place the city in the context of the wider world.
3. Evaluate a wide range of primary sources including written and material, demonstrating how these sources inform about the past.

The course fee does not include accommodation during your study. Please see our Accommodation section for more information. 

To ensure your experience at the University of Edinburgh's Summer School is memorable, we encourage students to embrace the city and its culture and take part in the variety of social activities available.

More about our social programme activities >

Applications have now closed for 2024.