Available as Masters or Diploma

Masters

This exciting new MA programme provides students with a full theoretical and practical foundation for independent research in archaeology and seeks to equip them with a broad critical understanding of the potential and limitations of different forms of archaeological evidence, with a particular emphasis upon the landscape scale of analysis and study. It also offers students the opportunity to develop their archaeological knowledge and research skills in one of three optional focussed study pathways: Prehistory, Bioarchaeology or Medieval Archaeology. Along with the theory and practice of Landscape Archaeology, these are all areas in which the School has internationally-recognised strengths in research and teaching.

You will complete a compulsory induction week, followed by two core 30 credit modules (Theory & Practice in Archaeology; Landscape Archaeology); one guided research module (researching Prehistory; Bioarchaeology; Medieval archaeology); one specialist optional module and a 60-credit dissertation. Full-time students will take one core and one optional module each semester, part-time students will take the guided research and specialist optional modules in their second year.

Core Modules

Practice and Theory in Archaeology

This introduces students to advanced theoretical issues in archaeology, in large part through the close critical consideration of illustrative case studies involving the analysis and interpretation of archaeological materials. Students will therefore be challenged to embrace critically the embedded nature of theory and practice in archaeology, and to explore the connections between particular archaeological paradigms and methodological approaches to the analysis and interrogation of archaeological evidence.

Landscape Archaeology

This module introduces the theoretical issues underpinning Landscape Archaeology and the range of techniques in the human and natural sciences that can be combined in order to investigate and explore past landscapes. Students learn to assess the different strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical and practical approaches and their appropriate application within problem-solving research and professional practice.

Guided Research Modules

These comprise a programme of directed research on a relevant theme, issue or topic agreed between the student and a research supervisor in the chosen field.

• Researching Prehistory
• Researching Bioarchaeology
• Researching Medieval Archaeology 

Entry Requirements

Applicants will normally be expected to possess a good first degree, second class or higher in Archaeology or the equivalent for overseas or European applicants. International/EU students must have a level of English proficiency of 6.5 IELTS or 600 TOEFL.

Diploma

The 120-credit Diploma comprises four modules, but omits the dissertation. There may also be scope to take a 90-credit dissertation plus three modules: two core and one option.

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Further information

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