Venues

Gilmorehill Campus

Content

Economic and Social History is the study of the way societies change in their economic activities and social organisation. It is concerned with how people in the past lived and worked, and how this has affected the development of today’s world.

Year 1: In the first year you will take two courses that are built around the key themes of the workplace; social order and conflict; gender and the family; migration and the community; international economic relations.

We place national histories in an international perspective and rapid transitions against the background of long-term trends. In this way, you will be able to understand the experiences of your own society and economy more fully.

You will be introduced to major themes in history, including sources of economic growth and social change, and the international transmission of social and economic trends.

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

Year 2: You will study economic and social change in the UK from 1750 onwards. Again, this is covered by two courses, the first studying the period 1750-1914 and the second from 1914 to the present day. The first course begins with the Industrial Revolution and deals with questions such as
why did the British economy grow so rapidly?; what were the social consequences of change?

The second course analyses many of the same themes in the context of the UK’s economic and social development in the 20th century. In particular, the impact of the two World Wars is considered, along with changes in interwar Britain, the rise of the Welfare State and postwar economic decline.

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 years you may progress to study for an Honours degree (years three and four).

In your Honours years you will be able to choose from a wide range of options covering countries including Germany, Japan, USA, Eastern Europe, Scotland and the UK. These reflect the research expertise of the staff and allow the in-depth study of topics such as economic policy, social policy, poverty, gender history, business history, the history of work, medicine, and popular culture.

Other aspects of your Honours years will be core courses that encourage the development of skills in interpretation of texts and sources, and presentation of evidence and arguments through individual and group projects; a dissertation on a subject of your choice (this is optional); a compulsory reading and study trip in year three.

Entry Requirements

2026 entry requirements

Standard entry: 5 Highers at AAAAB (by end S6 with min BBBB after S5) including English and a humanities subject at AA (AB or BA may be considered).

Entry to year 2 may be possible with 3 Advanced Highers at AAA in relevant subjects.

Widening access entry: 4 Highers at AABB or BBBB (by end S6) including English and a humanities subject. Completion of pre-entry programme is necessary.

Subjects may vary depending on combination taken.