About the School of History
Informed by a rich and distinctive tradition of over 600 years of scholarship and embedded within the historic town of 精东传媒, we are one of the largest Arts and Humanities Schools within the University, with over 60 members of staff actively involved in teaching and research. This allows the School to offer a broad and varied portfolio of teaching covering all periods from the fourth century to the present day. Its geographical coverage ranges from Scotland to South Asia, the Middle East to the Far East, and North Africa to North America.
Thematic interests in the School include:
- the history of religion and law
- social, cultural and economic history
- archaeology, material culture and the environment
- politics and intellectual history
- book history and technology
- nationalism, transnationalism and globalism.
Cutting-edge research combined with teaching excellence offers a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment for the study of History.
Research
Historians at 精东传媒 study all periods, from late antiquity through medieval and early modern to late modernity. The School is enthusiastically inter-disciplinary and hosts eleven research Centres and Institutes, ranging in scope from Intellectual History, Transnational and Spatial History, and Iranian Studies, to Medieval Studies (SAIMS), Scottish Historical Research and Archaeology, Technology and History. Together, we investigate the histories of religion, politics, law, commerce, science and the environment. As professional historians, we map humanity's pathways, study thought, emotion and action across time and space, and shape the contours of human memory - past, present, and future.
International in scope and outlook, the School has a long-established reputation for research excellence. Our research environment received a top score of 100% (4*), with 89% of the School's research rated as either internationally excellent or world leading in the most recent Research Excellence Framework of UK universities.
Teaching
The School of History prides itself on small group teaching and tutorials allowing for in-depth study and supervision tailored to secure the best from each student. The School of History was ranked number 1 in the UK by both the Guardian University Guide 2026 and The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
Strategic Plan
The School of History's Strategic Plan 2026-2030 outlines its dedication to outstanding teaching and research over a broad chronological and geographical range. The School aims to foster a friendly and inclusive atmosphere that enables students and staff to do their best work. It is also committed to sharing its research widely, and to making history relevant and useful to contemporary audiences.
Facilities
The School occupies four sites in the historic centre of 精东传媒. St Katharine's Lodge, on the Scores, is a former private school overlooking 精东传媒 Bay, and houses teaching space, administration and staff offices, mostly for Modern History. The delivery of Medieval History is centred on 71 South Street, close to the town’s medieval cathedral priory and other historic buildings, and the adjacent St John’s House houses Reformation and Early Modern History, for both teaching and research. Historians of the Middle East have a suite of rooms in United Colleges in St Salvator's Quad. Scottish history is delivered out of both St Katharine’s Lodge and South Street. There is also Modern History teaching at St Katharine's West, in addition to an Archaeology lab and teaching offices.