Black and white image of a cobblestone Victorian high street. There are various shop fronts, a horse and cart, and people walking around.
Coming soon
Event

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

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. Booking opens Jul 2026. 

Georgian Scotland  

Dates: 14 Jan - 25 Mar 2027, every Thursday, 11:00 - 13:00

Location: Learning Centre, National Museum of Scotland

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. Booking opens in November 2026. 

Victorian Scotland  

Dates:  22 Apr - 1 Jul 2027, every Thursday, 11:00 - 13:00 

Location: Learning Centre, National Museum of Scotland

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. Booking opens in February 2027. 
 

Romance and Reality

Dates: Fri 28 May 2027, 10:30 - 16:30

Location: Learning Centre, National Museum of Scotland

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. Booking opens in February 2027.

Accessibility and facilities

We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit. 

How to get to the space

You can make your way to the Seminar Room by walking through the Collecting Stories gallery. Walk up the staircase to Level 4. Turn right and the Seminar Room will be ahead of you on the right. 

There is also lift access via the lift next to the staircase. The dimensions of the lift are 137cm x 150cm (4ft 6in x 4ft 11in). 

The door to the Seminar Room is not automatic and cannot be opened by a push pad. During an event it may already be open. 

Wheelchair access

There is significant space to use a wheelchair in the Seminar Room. 

Wheelchairs can be borrowed from the information desks at the Entrance Hall and Tower Entrance. They cannot be booked in advance. 

Seating

Tables and seating in the Seminar Room are not fixed. 

Hearing induction loop

There is no induction loop in the Seminar Room. 

Toilets and baby changing

The nearest toilets are on Level 4 next to Studios 1 and 2. There are standard toilets and an accessible toilet. The baby changing table is located in the accessible toilet. 

If you require a changing places toilet, please ask a member of staff. 

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.