Short Courses with the University of Edinburgh
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National Museum of Scotland
Various prices, book via Centre for Open Learning website
About Short Courses with the University of Edinburgh
Explore our collections with expert tutors on a University of Edinburgh Short Course hosted at the National Museum of Scotland.
The Centre for Open Learning is part of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. Alongside other programmes, they run Lifelong Learning courses. These courses can be online, on their campus, or at other locations.
No prior knowledge is required to book a course.
Victorian Edinburgh
Dates: 1 Oct - 17 Dec 2026, every Thursday, 11:00 - 13:00
Location: Learning Centre, National Museum of Scotland
Price: £210
This 10-week course considers the complex challenges and changes in the period 1837–1901 within Edinburgh. It examines examples of the economic, social and political context in which the people of Edinburgh lived, and assesses their responses to the most important Scottish, British and international events.
This course will be led by tutor Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD.
Book Victorian Edinburgh course
Georgian Scotland
Dates: 14 Jan - 25 Mar 2027, every Thursday, 11:00 - 13:00
Location: Learning Centre, National Museum of Scotland
Price: £210
This 10-week course explores Scotland’s great changes and developments between 1714–1815. It covers the Enlightenment and the growth of universities, trade, transportation and industry. It also covers the impact of Jacobite rebellions and events overseas, from France and Spain to the American colonies.
This course will be led by tutor Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD.
Discovering the National Collections: Jewellery from Antiquity to Present Day
Dates: 25 Jan - 25 Feb 2027, every Thursday, 14:00 - 15:30
Location: Various galleries, National Museum of Scotland
Price: £85
This 5-week course examines how trade pushed the boundaries of jewellery-making around the world. Using collections from the Natural Museum of Scotland, you will learn about the cultural values and symbols of the ancient and the modern worlds.
This course will be led by artist and tutor Karen Clulow BA MA FSA Scot.
Book Jewellery from Antiquity to Present Day course
Victorian Scotland
Dates: 22 Apr - 1 Jul 2027, every Thursday, 11:00 - 13:00
Location: Learning Centre, National Museum of Scotland
Price £210
This 10-week course uses selected items from the museum’s collections as the basis for studying Victorian Scotland. Using a different historical object each week, students will consider the political, economic, industrial, imperial, cultural and social history of Scotland in this period of enormous change and creativity.
This course will be led by tutor Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD.
Book Victorian Scotland course
The History and Culture of Colour
Dates: 24 Apr - 20 May 2027, every Thursday, 14:00 - 15:30
Location: Various galleries, National Museum of Scotland
Price: £85
In this 5-week course you will explore artifacts in the museum’s remarkable collections. Uncover stories linking the history of colour with culture, society and art.
This course will be led by artist and tutor Karen Clulow BA MA FSA Scot.
Book The History and Culture of Colour course
Colour in Science and Nature
Dates: 27 May - 24 Jun 2027, every Thursday, 14:00 - 15:30
Location: Various galleries, National Museum of Scotland
Price: £85
This 5-week course uses selected items from the museum’s collections as the basis for discovering how colours found in nature have historically inspired creative individuals and continue to do so today.
This course will be led by artist and tutor Karen Clulow BA MA FSA Scot.
Book Colour in Science and Nature course
The Romance and Reality of Scotland in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Dates: Fri 28 May 2027, 10:30 - 16:30
Location: Learning Centre, National Museum of Scotland
Price: £65
This one-day course explores the Romantic images of Scotland formed in the 18th and 19th centuries. Discuss the influence of art, literature, transport and tourism on the Romantic image of Scotland.
This course is will be led by tutor Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD.
Accessibility and facilities
We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit.
Visit our accessibility page for general access information for the National Museum of Scotland.
Get in touch
For any accessibilty requirements or questions about courses, please contact the Centre for Open Learning COL@ed.ac.uk.
Plan your visit
All the information you need to plan your visit to the National Museum of Scotland.
Plan your visit
All the information you need to plan your visit to the National Museum of Scotland.