Venues

Gilmorehill Campus

Content

Year 1: In your first year you will take a course that introduces you to the history of Scotland. The course offers you a fresh and stimulating approach to the major forces instrumental in the shaping of politics, society and culture in Europe and will explore the rich diversity of the period covered.

Topics you will study include: The independent kingdom; Medieval society; Castles; Government; The wars of independence; Catholic belief and a Scottish church; Renaissance learning and culture; Reformation and absentee monarchy; Covenanting revolution; Cromwellian conquest; Commerce with Europe and America; Industrialisation; 20th-century Scotland; The widening horizons and road to Union with England in 1707.

You will also study two other subjects in year 1 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2: The following year you will study Scottish history in a wider comparative context, including modern social history.

You will also study one or two other subjects in year 2 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Years 3 and 4: If you successfully complete the courses in first and second year, you may progress to Honours (years three and four). You can only take Scottish History as a Joint Honours degree in combination with another subject. It is most often combined with Celtic Studies.

Our Honours programme consists of an exceptionally large variety of courses across the whole range of history.

As an Honours student, you will also have the chance to write a dissertation and/or study a special subject. Writing a dissertation will give you an opportunity to study a historical topic of your choice in depth and improve your research skills.

Entry Requirements

2026 entry requirements

Standard entry: 6 Highers at AAAAAA (by end S6 with min AAABB after S5) including English and a humanities subject at AA (AB may be considered). Higher Maths recommended.

Widening access entry: 5 Highers at AAABB/ABBBB (by end S6) including English and a humanities subject. Higher Maths recommended. Completion of pre-entry programme is necessary.

Grades and subjects may vary depending on combinations taken.