Aberdeen Global Scholarship£6,000/yr
self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students
Check eligibility →
University of Aberdeen · Undergraduate
MA (Hons) French and History Bachelor's degree at the University of Aberdeen
MA (Hons) French and History at University of Aberdeen combines study across core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.
MA (Hons)
Award
4
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
MA (Hons) French and History is a Bachelor's degree (MA (Hons)) at the University of Aberdeen, based in Old Aberdeen. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Languages and area studies graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 50% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for History, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.4
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional91
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Strong70
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 70% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 9 modules
- Academic Writing for Language & LiteratureCompulsory
Module details
This compulsory evaluation is designed to find out if your academic writing is of a sufficient standard to enable you to succeed at university and, if you need it, to provide support to improve. It is completed on-line via MyAberdeen with clear instructions to guide you through it.
- Getting Started at the University of AberdeenCompulsory
Module details
This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term. Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
- Making HistoryCompulsory15 credits
Module details
This course will introduce students to the subject of university level history. Team taught lectures will introduce students to approaches, sources, and the dilemmas facing academic historians.
- Beginners French Language 1Optional15 credits
Module details
This intensive language course is designed for students who have little or no previous knowledge of French. This course involves intensive language study.
- Beginners French Language 2Optional15 credits
Module details
This course builds on the work done in FR1028, providing students with an adequate command of French language to allow them the possibility of continuing their studies into level 2 and Honours.
- Qualified French Language 1Optional15 credits
Module details
This course is intended for students who have studied French to Higher or equivalent level. It will enable them to consolidate and extend their knowledge of French, written and spoken. This course involves intensive language study.
- Qualified French Language 2Optional15 credits
Module details
This course is intended for students who have studied French to the equivalent of Scottish Higher or beyond. Building on the work done in the first semester, it seeks to enable students to consolidate and extend their knowledge of French, written and spoken.
- French Culture and Society: from Occupation to DecolonisationOptional15 credits
Module details
This course introduces students to twentieth and early twenty first century French and Francophone culture and society, focusing on the occupation of France during World War II, gender issues, and the impact and aftermath of colonialism and decolonisation. Students will explore the socio-historical and socio-political context by engaging with literature, film, writing from the period and visual materials.
- The Global City in Text and FilmOptional15 credits
Module details
Focusing on major cities in Europe and the Americas, this course unit uses a range of texts, including films, poetry and fiction, to investigate urban spaces as sites of promise, power and loss. Representations of global cities, and experiences of urban dwellers, highlight themes such as empire, identity, leisure, labour and love.
Year 2 6 modules
- Revolution and Revolt in Modern and Contemporary FranceCompulsory15 credits
Module details
The course introduces students to the history, culture and identity of contemporary France by examining key moments and themes in the development of France as a political and cultural entity from the Early Modern period to the present.
- Decentering France: Social Movements and Cultural TransformationCompulsory15 credits
Module details
The course introduces students to the history, culture and identity of contemporary France by examining key moments and themes in the development of France as a political and cultural entity from the Early Modern period to the present.
- Advanced Introductory French Language 1Optional15 credits
Module details
This second year French language course which runs in the first half-session is only open to students who have passed FR1528. It will improve their written, oral and aural skills, and is one of the two second year French language courses that has to have passed to be allowed into the French honours Programme.
- Advanced Introductory French Language 2Optional15 credits
Module details
This second year French language course which runs in the second half-session is only open to students who have followed FR2012. It will improve their written, oral and aural skills, and is one of the two second year French language pre-requisite courses that one must have passed to be allowed into the French honours Programme.
- Advanced French Language 1Optional15 credits
Module details
This second year French language course which runs in the first half-session is only open to students who have passed FR1529. It will improve their written, oral and aural skills, and is one of the two second year French language courses required to be allowed into the French honours Programme.
- Advanced French Language 2Optional15 credits
Module details
This second year French language course which runs in the second half-session is only open to students who have followed FR2002. It will improve their written, oral and aural skills, and is one of the two second year French language pre-requisite courses to be allowed into the French honours Programme.
Year 3 4 modules
- Junior Honours French LanguageCompulsory15 credits
Module details
This Junior Honours French language course, whose pre-requisites are FR2502 or FR2512, runs over the full session and is only open to Single and Joint Junior Honours degree in French students. Building on the skills gained during their first two years of study of French, this course will improve the students' French language skills in all four areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing, whilst increasing their grammatical and lexical knowledge, as well as their sensitivity to linguistic v
Assessment: four equally weighted assignments
- Work Experience: Employability Skills DevelopmentCompulsory30 credits
Module details
This course, open to Mode B students, provides an opportunity for students to build on their French language ability and cultural understanding of French society through either a placement, personal development project or volunteering activity based within any French speaking country during the first half session. Students work towards a range of personal, educational or work-related outcomes over the course of their time abroad.
- Junior Honours Project 1Compulsory15 credits
Module details
This course, open only to mode B Junior Honours students working in a French-speaking country, complements FR3089 and aims to develop receptive and productive skills in French.
- History of MedicineOptional30 credits
Module details
The course will involve each student working individually on a historical project of his or her own choice, under the supervision of the course co-ordinator. Students will be required to produce a research proposal and progress reports, to prepare an essay and make a presentation of their findings to the class.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
A course like this combines French and History, allowing you to explore how language and historical understanding reinforce each other. You'll usually begin with foundational skills: historical source analysis and the historian's craft, broad surveys of medieval through modern worlds, and French language and culture. As you progress into Years 2 and 3, you'll move to specialist options such as modern history, medieval studies, global and imperial history, social and cultural history, public history and heritage, and archival research. You'll study focused periods through primary sources, examine how historical interpretations evolve, and explore history beyond the university through museums and heritage work. In your final year, you'll undertake an original dissertation based on primary evidence, drawing on your combined expertise in language and historical inquiry.
Who it's for
This course suits students with strong A-level qualifications or equivalent. Most accepted students held A-levels, and typical entrants had a UCAS tariff of 160–175 points. You should be prepared for sustained academic study across two disciplines and independent research work.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 85% of History graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies. Graduate earnings across the sector start at £23,500–£31,000 (15 months after graduation), rising to £25,500–£36,000 after five years. These are national figures based on Graduate Outcomes data, not university-specific guarantees. Your actual outcomes will depend on your choices, experience, and the job market at the time you graduate.
University & format
This MA (Hons) is a 4-year full-time degree at the University of Aberdeen, a public university founded in 1495 and based in Old Aberdeen. Instruction is in English. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and the degree is nationally recognised. It is.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 100%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent88% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 160 - 175 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Aberdeen's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 88% |
| another higher-education qualification | 10% |
| a Baccalaureate | 3% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeVR11quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code VR11). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Aberdeen whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
International£20,800 / yr
Provider fee page. Set under Scotland's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at University of Aberdeen →If you normally live in Scotland
For eligible Scottish-domiciled students at an eligible Scottish provider, SAAS can pay tuition directly. Living-cost support can combine bursary and loan and depends on household income and student circumstances. Students from elsewhere use their home funding body.
Check the current amounts with SAAS →Paying for it
- SAAS tuition payment: paid directly to the university for eligible Scottish-domiciled students, applied for through SAAS.
- Living-cost support: a mix of bursary and loan from SAAS, depending on household income.
- Repayment: only above the Scottish repayment threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Scotland runs its own system through SAAS; check saas.gov.uk for current rates.
Funding matched to this course
All University of Aberdeen funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
StudyKit · free
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What History graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £24,500 | £23,000 – £28,500 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £25,000 | £21,500 – £31,000 | 40 |
| 5 years after | £30,000 | £27,000 – £36,500 | 45 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
90%
in work or further study 15 months on
50%
in highly skilled work or study
70%
continue past their first year
75%
find their work meaningful
55%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in history · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs History nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,500
£23,500 – £31,000After 3 years LEO
£25,000
£20,400 – £28,800After 5 years LEO
£30,000
£25,500 – £36,000national rangethis course’s medianaxis £19,000 – £37,500
National figures for History graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
90 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
65% working10% working and studying10% in further study50% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with History courses at the same study level.
This course £30,000Peer median £30,000Middle 50% £27,000–£34,500
50th percentile
Compared with 1,423 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupationsSOC 2020 62 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £22,297
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 70; response rate: 65%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How History graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across History courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where History graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Museums & archives
- Heritage bodies
- Schools
- Civil service & media
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit History graduates.
History & Humanities Lead, Flexible, Impactful TeachingChartereastdulwichHistory & Humanities Lead, Flexible, Impactful TeachingThe Charter Schools Educational TrustHistory Teachers in Kirklees and HalifaxCV-LibraryHistory TeachersSABIS NETWORK SCHOOLSLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Fees for this course are set under Scotland's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Tuition for eligible Scottish-domiciled students is paid by SAAS directly to the university, applied for through SAAS and not Student Finance England. Living-cost support is a mix of bursary and loan, and you repay only above the Scottish threshold.
📈
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £24,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.4 out of 10: NSS 90.9% · in work or study 90% · continued 70%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Aberdeen
All students13,930
International18.8%
Aged 25+29.2%
Historical, philosophical and religious studies across the UK
Students76,495
Aged 25+26.6%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is History right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Aberdeen from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £20,800 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
University of Aberdeen offers the Aberdeen Global Scholarship (£6,000/yr) for international students, see Scholarships above.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Aberdeen and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Aberdeen
MA (Hons) Anthropology and HistoryMA (Hons) · University of AberdeenMA (Hons) Archaeology and Celtic & Anglo-Saxon StudiesMA (Hons) · University of AberdeenMA (Hons) Archaeology and Gaelic StudiesMA (Hons) · University of AberdeenMA (Hons) Art History and Celtic & Anglo-Saxon StudiesMA (Hons) · University of Aberdeen
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 160 - 175 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by the University of Aberdeen. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Languages and area studies graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 50% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
Fees for this course are set under Scotland's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Tuition for eligible Scottish-domiciled students is paid by SAAS directly to the university, applied for through SAAS and not Student Finance England. Living-cost support is a mix of bursary and loan, and you repay only above the Scottish threshold. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
No obligation
Request information about MA (Hons) French and History
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.