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Student at University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh

Undergraduate courses are "MA"?

Please excuse my ignorance, but some undergraduate courses that I am looking at are labelled MA, such as here http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/degrees?action=programme&code=RR12&cw_xml=index.php

I gather from other posts that this does not mean it is at Masters level, but can someone explain exactly what's this all about?

Other courses are labelled BA, such as here http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/degrees?action=programme&code=P390&cw_xml=index.php

Does this mean there is a difference in the levels or what's the story?
Original post by jdes
Please excuse my ignorance, but some undergraduate courses that I am looking at are labelled MA, such as here http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/degrees?action=programme&code=RR12&cw_xml=index.php

I gather from other posts that this does not mean it is at Masters level, but can someone explain exactly what's this all about?

Other courses are labelled BA, such as here http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/degrees?action=programme&code=P390&cw_xml=index.php

Does this mean there is a difference in the levels or what's the story?

It's a bit of anachronistic history. The Scottish ancients always used to call their undergraduate degrees MA but have more or less fallen into line with the rest of the UK over time. Some subjects still cling onto it. It's still an undergraduate degree whatever it's called.
Student at University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
It's a Masters - that is why it is called an MA. If you look, it takes four years, and not three. It's an integrated masters, like an MSci.
Original post by BestProfileName
It's a Masters - that is why it is called an MA. If you look, it takes four years, and not three. It's an integrated masters, like an MSci.

All Scottish undergraduate degrees are 4 years. Scots start at the age of 17, not 18.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Arts_(Scotland)
(edited 9 years ago)
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jdes
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Original post by Carnationlilyrose
All Scottish undergraduate degrees are 4 years. Scots start at the age of 17, not 18.


That's what the confusion is for me, whether it a normal undergraduate degree or a Masters. I wasn't sure if 4 years meant it was an integrated course, because where I am in Ireland, most Bachelors degrees are 4 years.

Thanks to you both for your input.
Original post by jdes
That's what the confusion is for me, whether it a normal undergraduate degree or a Masters. I wasn't sure if 4 years meant it was an integrated course, because where I am in Ireland, most Bachelors degrees are 4 years.

Thanks to you both for your input.

It's a normal undergraduate degree. (Wiki puts it in more detail than I have.)
Well my input was completely wrong, so no thanks to me! Can Scots begin University in England/Wales etc at the age of 17 then?
Original post by BestProfileName
Well my input was completely wrong, so no thanks to me! Can Scots begin University in England/Wales etc at the age of 17 then?


Yes but it is becoming less common. There are two reasons. Firstly, fewer Scots are studying outwith Scotland due to fees. Secondly, Scots have more access to an 18+ exam with advanced highers.

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