Archaeology in UK

This two-year part-time Master of Science (MSc) course is concerned with the theories and methods of landscape archaeology. The course is intended for those with a degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) or an advanced diploma in archaeology or a related subject.

This MSc is a part-time modular course over two years, leading to a University of Oxford graduate degree in archaeology. The course is designed for the needs of students who wish to study part-time, and this includes those who are in full-time employment. Those with a personal or professional interest in landscape archaeology are welcome to apply.

Landscape archaeology is an increasingly popular and widely understood concept. Using a multi-period approach, it is concerned with understanding past human impacts on the resources, topography and environment of the whole landscape, from uplands to coasts, and from farmed landscapes to urban/industrial areas.

Many newer methods of research are being developed in landscape archaeology, including digital mapping and geophysics. These are taking their place alongside field-walking, historic landscape analysis, aerial photography and selective excavation to provide a flexible and effective armoury of techniques for the researcher. Skills such as survey and characterisation are becoming essential for anyone involved in the management of the historic environment. Effective communication of the value and potential of the historic landscape is vital in the world of planning, tourism, outreach and education.

The course involves a combination of academic study and field practice. It is designed to appeal to those who already have experience of studying archaeology (or a closely-related subject) at undergraduate or postgraduate level and who wish to expand their academic, practical and professional skills in landscape archaeology.

With a strong (but not exclusive) emphasis on the archaeology of Britain in our teaching, the course focuses on the applications of research methods in varying landscape situations. The course format is flexible and enables students to pursue their own research interests leading to a 15,000-word dissertation. This can be on a theme, area or subject in Britain or elsewhere. 

The course is taught using a combination of lectures/seminars in Oxford, field visits and practical work, supported by tutor contact and information supplied via a Virtual learning Environment (VLE) which can be accessed at any time. The majority of teaching takes place on Saturdays, normally between 10am and 4pm. There is a landscape survey training week in the early summer of the final year (Year B), which requires attendance over seven days (Saturday to Friday). Self-study in libraries or at home will form a major part of your experience on the course. Many students undertake some fieldwork during their time on the course. Dissertations are supported through personal tutorials with the course director and/or your dissertation tutor.

Our course offers you the opportunity to study Greek and Roman art and archaeology at one of the largest Classics departments in the UK. The course is intercollegiate with options taught at King’s, UCL and Royal Holloway and you can take advantage of our close links to the Institute of Classical Studies, one of the UK’s best Classical libraries. It gives you the unique opportunity to acquire technical skills provided by optional modules in papyrology, epigraphy and palaeography. It leads to further research or careers in education, journalism, finance, politics and cultural sectors

Archaeology and social anthropology is the study of past and present human behaviour. This programme examines the diversity of human social and material culture both ancient and modern. Your undergraduate dissertation at the end of this programme can be in either subject.

Building Surveyors are key professionals within the acquisition, building management and development sectors of the property profession, advising on both commercial and residential building issues.

Building Surveying is an extremely varied profession, with main areas covering design, construction technology, conservation, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Building Information Modeling (BIM), professional practice/studies, building pathology, performance, sustainability and regulation.

At GCU the emphasis is firmly on practical experience with site visits and live project work. Industry experts provide guest lectures and you will spend six to eight months on a work placement in Year 3. Those who aspire to become Chartered Surveyors will be working in a dominantly client facing environment. Excellent communication skills are therefore essential. There are opportunities to study abroad at our partner universities across Europe. Honours graduates can begin working to gain full membership of both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

This course allows students to develop an overview of world archaeology, but also to focus on the range of scientific techniques used to explore the past. With access to state-of the-art laboratory facilities and outstanding training by some of the world’s leading archaeological scientists, you will have the opportunity to learn techniques such as DNA and isotopic analysis, Geographical Information Systems, geoarchaeology, archaeobotany, and the analysis of human and animal skeletal remains. By the end of the degree you will be equipped with cutting-edge science and social science research skills, and a wide range of transferable skills relevant to many career paths, including data management and analysis, critical thinking and writing, and written and oral presentation.

As a BSc Archaeology student, you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills through a series of Scientific Methods in Archaeology modules, as well as second-year Advanced Skills options, and third-year Specialised Aspects of Archaeology options. Class-room teaching is complemented by small-group tutorials and lab-based practicals, that will guide you in developing expertise in ancient landscapes and environments, past climate change, diet, migrations, mobility, health, animal-human interactions, scientific dating, materials science, and techniques for conservation relevant to archaeological objects and collections. All BSc Archaeology students have the opportunity to take part in archaeological fieldwork in the UK and abroad, engaging directly with current departmental research projects, and learning a host of archaeological and transferable skills. The capstone of the degree is your own research project, or dissertation, which you will develop under the direct guidance of a member of staff who is an expert in the field.

Our Archaeology MPhil and PhD programmes are research degrees. They are conducted as supervised independent study and are assessed through a single written document that is supported with a viva voce examination.

Both degrees involve the production of new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship, exploring a field of academic study in detail. This involves detailed understanding of the methods, techniques and approaches needed to produce such knowledge, and the wider context of the subject of study.

Our PhD students produce a thesis which includes material worthy of academic publication. A PhD qualification is usually necessary for an academic career involving post-doctoral research and/or lecturing.

This is a perfect programme to advance your academic career in archaeology. You will also develop employability skills including:

• project management
• report writing
• problem-solving
• independent working
• research

Archaeology is a multidisciplinary practical degree. It produces graduates with sought-after transferable skills including critical analysis, communication and team working.

From week one you will be in the field learning these skills on a real archaeological excavation. During the degree you’ll examine and interpret a variety of evidence from human remains, Palaeolithic stone tools, Anglo-Saxon jewellery and the latest ancient DNA evidence.

As well as lectures and tutorials, you’ll spend time each year on placement in the UK and/or abroad, working on excavations, making real discoveries and helping carry out cutting-edge research. Our graduates have been on digs at Avebury and Stonehenge in Wiltshire, Neolithic settlements and tombs in Orkney and an Anglo-Saxon cemetery in Cambridgeshire, to name but a few.

In the fourth year the MSci students transition to a supervisor role, experiencing day-to-day management of an archaeological project. In addition, they undertake a major piece of independent research often involving their own field or laboratory work. With the mixture of academic understanding, practical skills and fieldwork experience, the MSci in Archaeology is ideal for those seeking a career in archaeology.

The cross-discipline pathway provides a route into advanced study of archaeology for students with generalist interests. You’ll create a bespoke course within a clear structure that allows you to engage your specific interests in period, region or approach while building on a strong foundation of understanding archaeology as a discipline. You’ll choose between completing a research dissertation or developing employability through a work placement.

Our Archaeology BA will enhance your understanding of the diverse societies of the past through the traces they have left in the form of material objects and texts. We will cover material from the first use of stone tools 3.3 million years ago to the present day.

Leicester is world-famous for our discovery of Richard III, and you’ll benefit from working alongside academics who have made incredible finds.

Practical experience is a key part of the course. You will participate in excavations and learn various fieldwork techniques throughout your degree to equip you with the skills and knowledge to interpret what you unearth. You will have the opportunity to gain experience with local heritage organisations, schools and our professional archaeological unit through Year 2 and 3 module placements, and our accredited internship programme.

You will have the chance to study a diverse range of topics during your time here. Our academic staff have particular expertise in Roman archaeology, prehistory, historical archaeology, heritage, archaeological theory and archaeological sciences, as well as all aspects of Classical (Greek and Roman) history.

Our degrees provide transferable skills in communication, presentation, critical analysis and teamwork. This will be critical for your future career, whether it is in archaeological studies or in one of the wide range of professions that attract our graduates. It does not matter if you have little or no previous experience in archaeology; we have designed our courses for maximum flexibility. This allows you to choose how you want to specialise or diversify, as your knowledge and understanding develop.