THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2025/2026
Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change

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Degree Programme Specification
History and Economics (MA Hons)
 

History and Economics

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. This information is created when new programmes are established and is only updated periodically as programmes are formally reviewed. It is therefore only accurate on the date of last revision.
Awarding institution: The University of Edinburgh
Teaching institution: The University of Edinburgh
Programme accredited by:
Final award: MA Honours
Programme title: History and Economics
UCAS code:
Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group(s):

History and Economics
Postholder with overall responsibility for QA: SHCA Quality Director
Date of production/revision:

January 2017
Further Information:

External summary

A joint degree in history and economics provides a rare opportunity formally to study these two disciplines together. The concern of economics with how resources are allocated is combined with the history???s emphasis on knowledge of context, values and assumptions in different places and at different times. While economics is concerned with the mechanisms and incentives affecting resource allocation, history adds its concerns with wider political and other forms and sources of change. History provides specific insights into why change occurs when it does and it emphases the differing contexts in which ideas emerge and in which they are used. This degree will provide students with an opportunity to develop both their qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, to combine the conceptual and mathematical approaches of economics with the contextual and archival approaches of history. The combined approach will highlight the importance of context as much as that of theory. Students will develop an ability to work independently, manage their time effectively, be familiar with statistical and econometric techniques, and be able to offer high-level nuanced and evidenced analysis.

Educational aims of programme
The programme is guided by the QAA Subject Benchmark Statements for History and Economics and aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate:
  •  an ability to write evidenced analysis, which is sensitive to differing political and economic contexts.
  • a knowledge of how change has, and has not, occurred in the past, and to provide a sharp sense of the contexts in which new ideas emerge and the (often different) contexts in which they are used.
  • a broad knowledge and understanding of key economic and social issues, principles, models and associated mathematical and statistical techniques, along with applications and policy implications of those models and a deeper understanding of recent research activity in some more specialised areas.
  • an understanding of historical change informed by theories, concepts, and methods from the full range of social science disciplines.
  • research and investigative skills such as problem framing and solving and the ability to assemble and evaluate complex evidence and arguments.
  • personal and intellectual autonomy through independent learning, self evaluation and self improvement.
  • communication skills, notably the ability to speak and write clearly and analytically

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding
  • Students will master core economics concepts such as opportunity cost, incentives, equilibrium, disequilibrium and stability, strategic thinking, marginal considerations, expectations and surprises, systems and dynamics, mutual gains and conflict of interest, and market failure.
  • Specifically in microeconomics, illustrative topics will include decision and choice, production and exchange, interdependency and markets, risk and information, and economic welfare. In macroeconomics, topics will include the aggregate consequences of individual decisions e.g. output, employment, growth, business cycles, money, inflation, and exchange rates.
  • These core economic theories will be applied to pertinent topics and current issues.
  • Key mathematical and statistical/econometric techniques will be taught. This will include developing an understanding of how to use such techniques as problem-solving tools or for data analysis.
  • Students will become familiar with the close contextual reading of original historical documents and other forms of evidence.
  • Students will be taught to analyse closely the context in which ideas and policies operate. An understanding of the past will deepen an appreciation of the need to contextualise problems, ideas and issues.
  • An understanding of the past is essential for understanding the origins of the vocabulary and ideas used in economics. An understanding of the past provides a more nuanced understanding of economic ideas than is offered in many contemporary economics texts.
  • The study of history examines the economic, legal, social, cultural, ethical, global and environmental responsibilities and issues surrounding the study of the past and its applications.
  • The study of history enhances our understanding of why change does, and as importantly, does not occur when it does. For every revolution and economic crash, there are many which did not occur even though the proximate causes appear similar.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry
  • The ability to identify, define and analyse theoretical and applied economic problems and identify or devise approaches to investigate and solve these problems.
  • The ability to search for, evaluate and use information to develop their knowledge and understanding of economic and social phenomena and the methods and techniques used to analyse these.
  • The ability to assess critically their understanding of economic and social issues, the limitations of that understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and understanding of those issues.
  • The ability to question the principles, methods, standards and boundaries of economic knowledge. ??? The ability to understand economic, legal, and environmental issues in the use of information.
  • The ability to place problems, developments and changes in a longer-term historical context. A familiarity with change in the past heightens the ability to recognise change in the present.
  • History enhances the ability to analyse using a variety of written, oral, visual and quantitative sources and techniques.
  • History heightens an awareness of the selective and potentially biased nature of what is considered as evidence.
  • Like Economics, History seeks to develop the ability to create and demonstrate a hypothesis from a mass complexity of information.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy
  • The ability to be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, and are committed to continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement.
  • The ability to make decisions on the basis of rigorous and independent thought, taking into account ethical and professional issues.
  • The ability to work towards personal goals in an independent manner.
  • The ability to collaborate and debate effectively to test, modify and strengthen their own views.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication
  • The ability to make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, create and communicate understanding.
  • The ability to further their own learning through effective use of feedback.
  • The ability to use communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others.
  • The ability to communicate both qualitative and quantitative reasoning.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness
  • The ability to manage tasks and skills in time-management.
  • The ability to cope with uncertainty and to adapt to new situations.
  • The ability to work effectively with others, capitalising on their different thinking.
  • The ability to approach problems with academic rigour.
  • The ability to manage and meet firm deadlines.
  • The ability to transfer knowledge, learning, skills and abilities flexibly from one context to another.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills
Graduates in history and economics from the University of Edinburgh will have had the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the following advanced technical and or practical skills and abilities:
  • High level language programming ability in STATA and/or other statistical packages
  • General computer IT Literacy
  • Modelling skills: abstraction, logic, succinctness, quantitative analysis (mathematics and statistics)
  • Qualitative analysis, notably in reading and using original documents.
  • Bibliographical and library research skills.
  • Ability to read foreign language material, where relevant.
  • A command of palaeography, where relevant
  • An ability to produce coherent and well-presented text, sometimes of considerable length
  • An ability to make effective presentations, perhaps using audio visual support

Programme structure and features
The MA Honours programme is a full-time four-year programme. In years 1 and 2 of the programme students take pre-honours courses. A satisfactory performance in these courses is required for progression into honours, in years 3 and 4. The wide variety of outside courses that can be taken in years 1 and 2 of the programme provides an opportunity for a broad-based learning experience. An appropriate choice of courses can also make it possible to transfer to and from other programmes within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, providing flexibility to accommodate evolving interests. Guidance and advice on choice of courses is provided by personal tutors and academic advisers. In the Honours years (years 3 and 4) students take a mix of required courses, and a selection from a wide range of option courses. At the honours level in particular, courses are closely linked to the research interests of teaching staff. In addition, all honours students research and write a dissertation.

Knowledge and understanding, and the skills and other attributes listed in section 10 above are developed progressively throughout the programme. Issues related to sustainability, social responsibility, equality, and diversity are embedded in the normal curriculum.

Courses are a mix of 40 credits (normally 2 semesters, 22 teaching weeks, in length), 20 credits (normally one semester, 11 teaching weeks, in length) and some outside courses are 10 credits. A ???normal??? year comprises 120 credits. The normal mode of study is through coursework and examination, the only exception being the Honours dissertation, which does not include a final examination. The normal programme structure, with entry, progression and exit points, is outlined below. With appropriate prior approval, some variations to this normal structure may be permissible, in particular: Year 3 may comprise Study Abroad.

The first year of this degree???s normal curriculum is:


Year 1:

Courses:
  • Economics 1 (SCQF credit points: 40; SCQF Level: 8)
  • British Economic and Environmental History since 1900 (SCQF credit points: 20; SCQF Level: 8)
  • The Historian???s Toolkit (SCQF credit points: 20; SCQF Level: 8)
  • Further courses (SCQF credit points: 40; SCQF Level: 7 and 8)

Progression requirements:
Minimum: a pass in all three named courses

Exit options:
Transfer into another Honours programme linked to Honours courses taken in Year 1. Undergraduate Certificate in Higher Education (requires 120 credits)


Year 2:

Courses:
  • Economics 2 (SCQF credit points: 40; SCQF Level: 8)
  • Statistical Methods for Economics (SCQF credit points: 20; SCQF Level: 8)
  • The Global Economy since 1750 (SCQF credit points: 20; SCQF Level: 8)
  • Introduction to Historiography (SCQF credit points: 20; SCQF Level: 8)
  • Further courses (SCQF credit points: 20; SCQF Level: 7 and 8)
Progression requirements:
???Entry into Honours normally requires
(i) passes in 240 credits of courses taken in the first two years,
(ii) a mark of 50% or above in The Global Economy since 1750 at the first attempt,
(iii) a mark of 50% or above in in Introduction to Historiography,
(iv) a pass in Economics 2,
(v) a pass in Statistical Methods for Economics. ???

Exit options:
Transfer into another Honours programme, where the relevant progression requirements are met by performance in outside courses taken in years 1 and 2.
Transfer into the BA (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences). Undergraduate Diploma in Higher Education (requires 240 credits)


Year 3:

Courses:
  • Topics in Microeconomics (SCQF credit points: 20; SCQF Level: 10)
  • Essentials of Econometrics (SCQF credit points: 20; SCQF Level: 10)
  • Topics in Macroeconomics OR Applications of Econometrics (SCQF credit points: 20; SCQF Level: 10)
  • Courses chosen from a list of Economic History and History Honours third-year options courses (SCQF credits: 40; SCQF Level: 10) plus one Economics or Economic History or History Honours option course (SCQF credits: 20; SCQF Level: 10).

Progression requirements:

Minimum: Passes in 80 credits and average of at least 40

Exit options:
Transfer into the BA (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences).


Year 4

Courses:

  • Completion of the dissertation in Economics or History (normally Economic History) (SCQF credits: 40; SCQF Level: 10)
  • Economics Honours option courses (SCQF credits: 40; SCQF Level: 10)
  • Courses chosen from a list of Economic History and History Honours fourth-year option courses (SCQF credits: 40; SCQF Level: 10)

Minimum requirements for MA Honours are a minimum of 80 credits and a mean mark of 40 in each honours year.

Exit awards
  • Certificate of Higher Education: year one
  • Diploma of Higher Education: year two
  • BA (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences): year three (although entry to honours means the commencement of two years of integrated study leading to an honours degree and not all students will be qualified for the BA (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences).
  • MA Honours in History and Economics: year four

Teaching and learning methods and strategies
Teaching and Learning strategies employed at the University of Edinburgh consist of a variety of different methods appropriate to the programme aims. The graduate attributes listed above are met through a teaching and learning framework (detailed below) which is appropriate to the level and content of the course.

Structure:
  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Problem-based learning activities
  • Peer-group learning
  • Autonomous Learning Groups
  • Seminar presentations
  • Document commentaries
  • One to one meetings with personal tutors/supervisors

Outcomes:

Skills and abilities relating to personal and intellectual autonomy are emphasized and developed throughout the programme. Learning opportunities require the use of independent action and initiative. Teamwork projects and presentations, interaction in seminars and small-group classes and cooperative learning develop the ability to collaborate and debate effectively so as to test, modify and strengthen personal views. Provision of different levels of academic and pastoral support at different stages in the programme fosters the development of personal and intellectual autonomy.

In Years 1 and 2 support for the lecture material and experience in problem solving is provided by weekly tutorial sessions accompanying each lecture module. These involve small groups of students with an academic tutor who will discuss the problems with full participation by students. In Years 3 and 4 years, students take more specialised courses which are partly defined by the research interests of the members of staff. These are taught in seminar classes where a greater degree of independent study is required. These classes engage in a deeper way with the literature, sources and assumptions underpinning our understanding of the issues and developments examined in the course. In history, the designated fourth-year honours courses pay particular attention to the use of primary sources. In both economics and history, the required writing of a dissertation in Year 4 marks the high point in the degree of the student???s development as an autonomous scholar capable of undertaking independent study. In the honours years work will be assessed through a variety of different means: essays, examinations, seminar presentations, seminar performance, document commentaries, projects, dissertations and seminar diaries.

Assessment methods and strategies
Courses can be assessed by a diverse range of methods and often take the form of formative work which provides the student with on-going feedback as well as summative assessment which is submitted for credit.

In Year 1
  • Essay
  • Assignment
  • Written Examinations
  • Oral presentations
  • Class Tests
In Year 2
  • Essay
  • Projects
  • Written Examinations
  • Tutorial logbook
  • Class test
 In Year 3
  • Essays
  • Projects
  • Seminar presentations
  • Written Examinations
In Year 4
  • Essays
  • Projects
  • Seminar presentations
  • Written Examinations
  • Dissertation

Career opportunities

Economics graduates from the University of Edinburgh are highly regarded by employers. The skills you learn throughout your course will equip you for careers in accountancy, business, management and consultancy, or for work within aid agencies, not-for-profit organisations or government departments. Many previous graduates have chosen to enter the finance sector and some of the large financial firms actively seek to recruit Edinburgh graduates.

History graduates from the University of Edinburgh are highly regarded by employers. The research and analytical skills you will develop throughout the course can be used in any researchbased career. These skills can also be applied to careers including journalism, museum or heritage work, public relations, the Diplomatic Service or teaching. Previous graduates have also gone on to work in finance, law or local government or have chosen postgraduate study.

Other items

Resources:

Students have access to the well-stocked University Library and a range of other library facilities in the city.

Study abroad:

The University has well-established exchange schemes with leading world universities, which usually take place in the third year.

Further information


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