 In the summer of 1896 she went to Berlin for further university study , then returned to Edinburgh and passed an examination in Greek language to enter the Faculty of Arts in October 1896 . She studied a number of social subjects including politics , and graduated in April 1900 . Macmillan was the first woman to earn First @-@ class honours from Edinburgh in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy , also earning Second @-@ class honours in Moral Philosophy and Logic . During this time she was a member of the Edinburgh Ladies ' Debating Society , a forum which helped her gain confidence arguing in the face of opposition . She also joined the Edinburgh Mathematical Society in May 1897 , the second woman member after Flora Philip in 1896 . 
