
Missed the deadline? Start with a short course.
You’ve missed the deadline to apply for the January 2024 intake of this online degree.
But you can still start the degree via our short course route.
View the short course route to this MLittExplore the fascinating story of Scotland and earn a Masters in Scottish Heritage.
Join the first Scottish university to offer a degree that combines History, History of Art and Philosophy in this way.
- Gain the skills to conduct research in archives and library collections, anywhere in the world.
- Engage with rare archive treasures and unrivalled expertise in Scotland’s rich written, visual and oral past.
- Discover the stories of the men, women and children who left Scotland’s shores for a new life overseas.
- Learn to work with many sources and grow your analytical skills.
Under the expert guidance of award-winning online tutors, the focus of your degree can be adapted to you and your own connections to Scotland.
Who can study this online Scottish history degree?
This distance-learning degree is for anyone, anywhere in the world, with a professional or personal interest in Scotland’s history and her people.
Why study Scottish Heritage online with the University of Aberdeen?

Top 20 in the UK
We’re rated top 20 in the UK for History (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).

You’re in expert hands
We’ve been delivering online and distance learning for decades.

20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen alumni receive 20% off fees for this online degree.
What you’ll study
You can choose to study for a:
- Masters (180 credits)
- or start with one of the short courses that make up this degree (30 credits).
How you’ll study
Online learning
Our distance learning Masters in Scottish Heritage is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can study with us anywhere in the world with no need for a study visa, and manage your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
Your teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including online:
- lectures
- videos and audio clips
- quizzes
- written, visual and oral source materials
- discussion boards with classmates and tutors.
Archive access
You’ll also have online access to our remarkable Special Collections, Museum Collections and Sir Duncan Rice Library. Here you’ll explore ancient Scottish records, manuscripts, prints, photographs and literary collections of leading Scottish writers and poets. Treasures include a large Jacobite collection, works of the Scottish Enlightenment, and one of best collections of Sir Walter Scott’s work.
Your tutors
This online Masters is designed and led by experienced researchers and academics from our History, History of Art and Philosophy departments. You’ll learn from academics with world-leading expertise in Scottish emigration.
Assessments
This degree is assessed entirely online.

The programme provides an outlet for a real passion of mine – Scottish history and heritage. It’s opened my eyes to a whole new world, a network of people I never knew who share the passion.
Alanna MacTavish Khalil, online MLitt Scottish Heritage student

Prior to this course, I did not appreciate the extent to which being a historian is a discipline. This is a course for historians and non-historians alike offering wonderful insight into Scotland’s history and the way that history has been recorded.
Robert McGregor, MLitt Scottish Heritage student, Chief Investment Officer and Executive Director (Philippines)
Hours for taught courses
If you plan to study part-time, we recommend you take no more than one 30-credit course per term.
30 credits
- Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
- You’ll study 15 – 20 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.
This is a guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities at fixed times
There may be some activities scheduled at a fixed time, such as online meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through each course at your convenience.
Hours for 60-credit dissertation
A 60-credit dissertation is around 600 hours of study time.
You’ll work on your dissertation part-time over a seven-month period.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment to your course will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your course each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your tutors via MyAberdeen and email. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service – including one-to-one advice sessions
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
We’re a member of the Access scheme run by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).
Access study spaces, books and journals in your area
The SCONUL Access scheme allows you, as a University of Aberdeen student, to access books and resources at university libraries across the UK and Ireland, or visit them for a quiet place to study.
You’ll be able to use study spaces, books and journals at over 150 university libraries which belong to the scheme.
Your support team
Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.

Professor Marjory Harper
Marjory is the degree coordinator. She’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.

Kate Smith
Kate is part of the School’s support team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.

Get in touch
The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.
Ask us a question
Outstanding expertise
Professor Marjory Harper is a Professor of History. She’s travelled the world researching Scottish emigration.
Her work in this field has led to appearances on BBC Radio 4 and Radio Scotland and a Saltire Scottish History Book of the Year award. Listen to Marjory on Radio 4.
Marjory also holds an Excellence in Teaching award for her inspirational and supportive online teaching.
Where this will take you
Careers
MLitt Scottish Heritage could help you pursue or advance your career in tourism and other related industries.
It also offers excellent continuing professional development opportunities to enhance your skills, particularly in occupations such as:
- teaching
- librarianship
- museum work.

Lifelong career support
Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.
You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Fees and funding
The fee quoted above is based on you starting your studies with us in the 2023/24 academic year.
We have confirmed that our fees will rise by 5% for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years. Our indicative cost includes a 5% fee rise each year.

Pay as you go
Don’t worry, you do not have to pay the full degree fee upfront.
You can pay for your degree one term at a time. This gives you a flexible way to spread the cost.
Pay as you go allows you to spread payments over several terms.
When you pay
You make a payment before the start of each term.
How much you pay
You only pay for the credits you want to study in the upcoming term.
It’s up to you how many credits you take each term. This gives you control over your costs and your workload.
- Taking fewer credits will increase the length of your studies.
We break down the total cost of this qualification into cost per 30 credits and your dissertation.
Costs for this degree, starting in academic year 2023/24
30-credit courses
- £1,840 in academic year 2023/24.
- £1,930 in academic year 2024/25.
- £2,030 in academic year 2025/26.
60-credit dissertation
- £3,860 in academic year 2024/25.
- £4,060 in academic year 2025/26.
Tuition fees typically rise a little each academic year and will rise by 5% for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years.
This is an example payment schedule for tuition fees. It’s based on the typical route through the degree.
You can take more or fewer credits per term than is shown in this example.
Term 1) January – April 2024 | Academic year 2023/24
- Take one 30-credit course.
- Fee for term = £1,840.
- Payment due in January.
Term 2) May – August 2024
- Summer break. There is no teaching in the summer of your degree.
- No payment due.
Term 3) September – December 2024 | Academic year 2024/25
- Take one 30-credit course.
- Fee for term = £1,930.
- Payment due in September.
Term 4) January – April 2025
- Take one 30-credit course.
- Fee for term = £1,930.
- Payment due in January.
Term 5) May – August 2025
- Summer break. There is no teaching in the summer of your degree.
- No payment due.
Term 6) September – December 2025 | Academic year 2025/26
- Take one 30-credit course.
- Embark on your 60-credit dissertation.
- Fee for term = £6,090.
- Payment due in September.
Term 7) January – April 2026
- Complete your dissertation.
- No further payment is due.
MLitt complete
On passing your dissertation, you’ll have earned 180 credits and will be awarded an MLitt.
Total fee for this route to your MLitt = £11,790.

Learning resources
Access to all the books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.
Printing
You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.
There are several ways you may be able to get help funding your studies:
- Employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors
- Student loans
- Scholarships – search our funding database for scholarships
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
20% Alumni discount
You’re entitled to 20% off our postgraduate taught degrees and short courses if you have a degree from the University of Aberdeen. View Alumni discount details.
How discounts work
Discounts are applied during your application process. You can only use one discount per application.
Entry requirements
MLitt
- A 2:1 (upper-second) honours degree or equivalent (normally a 3.0 GPA in North America).
We also welcome alternative qualifications combined with relevant professional experience. If you don’t have a formal degree qualification, please submit a supporting personal statement with your application.
These are our minimum entry requirements. They are given as a guide and do not guarantee entry.
Short course route to online MLitt Scottish Heritage
If you do not meet these entry requirements, or are not ready to commit to a full MLitt, you may be able to use our online short courses as a route into this degree.
Find out about our short course route to entryEntry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
See the minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications from your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.
English language tests and scores
If you do need to provide English language test scores, these are the tests and minimum scores we accept.
These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements.
IELTS Academic and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 21 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening and speaking
- 169 for reading and writing
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken)
- Overall High Pass
- 33 for listening, reading and speaking
- 38 for writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
For more information about language qualifications see our English Language Requirements page.
You apply through our online Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents.
Applying to the University of Aberdeen is always free.
What you need to apply for this degree
- Degree transcript
- Personal statement
- Degree certificate
Apply now
Start with our step-by-step guide. It explains degree transcripts, what to write in your personal statement and how to use our Applicant Portal.
You can apply to start in either September or January.
Apply as early as you can. This is so we have time to review your application and get a decision to you. We also want to ensure you have time to enrol before teaching starts.
January 2024 intake
For our January 2024 intake, the application deadline is 4 December 2023.
You will need to accept your offer and provide any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer by 18 December 2023.
Teaching starts on 22 January 2024.
September 2024 intake
Teaching starts on 23 September 2024.
Application deadlines will be announced in due course.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
NEW: Try our degree scheduler

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See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.

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Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.

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Master of Letters
180 credits
£11,790
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in January 2024.
Apply for this programme
- Start month
- January or September
- INDICATIVE COST
- £11,790
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in January 2024.
Apply via our Applicant Portal