Overview
The history of the Scottish nation is dramatic, surprising and an infinite source of inspiration in popular culture. Studying at the University of Stirling will place you right at the heart of that history, with some of the most significant locations in Scotland’s past located right on your doorstep.
On this course, you’ll explore both the myths and the realities of Scottish History, unpicking the events that shaped a nation – from the wars of William Wallace to Scotland’s unprecedented impact on the wider world. You can expect in-depth insight into every aspect of Scottish History - political, social, environmental and economic – all of which will deepen your understanding of present-day Scotland at the same time.
History at the University of Stirling is highly regarded. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) we were ranked in the top 15 universities in the UK for Research Impact in History, and 3rd in Scotland for outputs and impact. That expertise feeds directly back into our teaching, ensuring you gain unique insights into Scottish History from some of its most respected scholars. Every step of the way, your employability will be a top priority - with career-focused modules, field trips and guest lecturers all designed to get you ready for the world of work. Our location in the shadow of so many famous Scottish events helps to distinguish your studies from other Scottish History courses.
Feed your passion for Scotland’s past, and make it an integral part of your future at the University of Stirling.
For more of a flavour of what we teach, our approach, and why we’re so passionate about History, check out our History Research at Stirling pages.
Top reasons to study with us
Prizes or awards
Scottish History students can be submitted for various prizes, mostly in final year. Some are dedicated solely for History, others across History, Heritage and Politics, and others across the Arts Faculty:
Environmental History Prize
An annual prize of £100 to be awarded for the best first class dissertation in Environmental History
Gordon Donaldson Prize
An annual prize of £50 for the best graduating student in History.
Stirling Guildry Prize
An annual prize of £100 to be awarded for the best dissertation submitted by a student taking History or Scottish History.
Faculty Research based learning prize
The Division of History, Heritage and Politics has been granted £250 by the Faculty to reward undergraduate students for contributions to research through their studies (projects, dissertations and so on).
The Scott Reid Memorial Prize
The £200 prize will be open to undergraduates in their final year of study studying History and/or Politics (including combined degrees with either subject). The prize will be awarded to the student who achieved their degree despite facing adversity during their studies and or who have shown outstanding support and selfless giving for their fellow students, local community or family.
The Alasdair Ross Memorial Essay prize.
The £200 prize is open to all University honours students who have written an essay between 2000 - 5000 words on a topic within the area of Scottish Studies, with an emphasis on environment and heritage.
Dee Amy Chin Prize for Gender and Feminist Studies
£200 is for the Dee Amy-Chinn prize for Gender Studies and is open to undergraduate students in any discipline within the University and recognises exceptional achievement in the study of gender and/or feminism (essay, dissertation, creative practice).
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
AABB
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32
Essential subjects
History
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
Scottish History is taken as a Single Honours degree, but shares a number of modules with the BA History.
Students take Scottish History plus two other subjects in semesters 1-3. In Semester 4 you will take the compulsory module HISU9X4, ‘Back to the Future: putting history and heritage to work’, a Scottish History module, and a module in another subject. The Scottish degree also involves a degree of study in non-Scottish topics. In Semesters 5 and 6 most of your studies will be in Scottish History. In Semesters 7 and 8 Honours students take a ‘special subject’ involving the use of printed documentary collections and other source material. Single Honours students also write a supervised dissertation of between 12,000 and 14,000 words on a chosen research topic. In the BA Scottish History your Special Subject and Dissertation will be on Scottish History topics.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
The University of Stirling has a reputation for excellence in the field of History, evidenced by the fact 98% of our research in the subject was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework assessment. This expertise flows directly into the curriculum and helps to create a vibrant teaching environment where you'll always be learning from historians with a true passion for their subject.
Fieldwork
A number of the modules in History and Heritage involve fieldwork trips alongside regular seminars in class. There are also opportunities for assisting with projects within History, the University Archives, and the Art Collection.
Assessment
Throughout your studies in History, you'll be assessed based on a combination of exams and coursework. Coursework may include essays, reports, posters, reviews, oral presentations and other elements. You'll also write a dissertation of between 12,000 – 14,000 words on a research topic of your choice.
Classroom hours
Lectures usually last 50 minutes and are recorded to allow students to listen again. Most teaching is done in small groups. In years one and two, tutorials last one hour; in year three seminars last two hours; and in year four seminar in Special Subjects last three hours (with, of course, a break).
Study abroad
As a University of Stirling student, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Dr James Smyth, Programme Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| International students (including EU) | £17,200 | £18,400 |
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Preparing you for the world of work
Scottish History graduates from Stirling have been successful in obtaining a wide variety of posts. During your studies, you'll gain valuable transferrable skills to open up a range of career paths. You'll also benefit from our research excellence and connection with organisations such as the Scottish Association of Teachers of History.
In the compulsory semester 4 module ‘Back to the Future: Putting History and Heritage to Work’, you will have the chance to listen to and meet with outside speakers from a range of employers and external institutions.
Your employability is one of our highest priorities, and we want to make sure you have every possible advantage when you enter the job market. During Semester 4 of your History studies, you’ll take an employability module aimed at exploring a wide range of career options through guest speakers and workshops.
We offer a comprehensive employability and skills programme to help you maximise your time at Stirling, and develop the attributes required by employers. We also have a dedicated Faculty Employability and Skills Officer and a Careers Service that work in partnership with academic staff to ensure you get the best out of your University experience and are given the right opportunities to make you ready for the world of work.
Jobs directly related to a history degree include:
- heritage manager
- civil service fast streamer
- historic buildings inspector or conservation officer
- museum education officer
- museum or gallery curator
- museum or gallery exhibitions officer
- archivist
- secondary school teacher
