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Different course options

Study mode

Full time

Duration

1 year

Start date

SEP-24

Key information
DATA SOURCE : IDP Connect

Qualification type

MSc - Master of Science

Subject areas

Archaeology

Course type

Taught

Course Summary

About this course

Build the skills you need for a career in archaeological research or the heritage industry with this flexible archaeology master’s. You’ll gain practical experience and benefit from our close ties with museums and organisations involved in commercial archaeology, heritage management and fieldwork.

We’re ranked Top 30 in the world for archaeology (QS World University Rankings, 2019)

With this MSc in Archaeology you can personalise your studies to areas that interest you, without having to specialise in a particular area. We bring expertise together from across the University, including the National Oceanography Centre, Humanities, Medicine, Engineering and Winchester School of Art, to?help you gain both scientific skills and cultural understanding through a range of optional modules.

This master's in archaeology enables you to develop your skills in a practical way, whilst learning from theoretical and period-based insights. You’ll have full access to a wide range of dedicated facilities and specialist teachers.

These include:

  • a dedicated library
  • a large collection of stone tools and hominin skulls
  • specialist isotope labs and a scanning, imaging and micro-CT suite
  • an extensive collection of human and animal skeletons

We have relationships with a number of leading heritage institutions and companies. You’ll have the opportunity to spend 4 weeks on placement with one of these institutions, where you’ll gain valuable real-world experience of the archaeology sector and heritage industry. Previous placements have included Historic England, Wessex Archaeology and The Nautical Archaeology Society.

Careers

90% of our archaeology master’s graduates are in employment or further study 6 months after graduation (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey).

Your research project could set you on the road to an academic or research career, and could end up being published in an academic journal. Many of our graduates go on to complete PhD studies.

You’ll gain lots of practical, vocational experience on the course. Most students go on to work in archaeology, the heritage industry and science. Job roles have included:

  • archaeologist
  • maritime archaeologist
  • project officer
  • trainee geophysicist
  • community outreach
  • coastal process scientist
  • civil servant
  • teacher
  • forensic scientist.

Assessment methods (Outcome qualification level)

On this course you'll learn through a range of activities that may include group presentations and role-play practicals, written exams and essays, fieldwork reports, digital projects and project design, mapping packages, field, laboratory, and practical tests.

You'll be able to demonstrate what you have learnt through a variety of assessment methods, such as individual and group presentations, written exams and essays, fieldwork reports, digital projects and project design, mapping packages, field, laboratory, and practical tests.

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor. Your contact hours will vary depending on your module choices.

Modules

The dissertation is a personal research project which is completed with guidance from a personal supervisor. It takes place primarily over the summer period and should involve original research and high-quality formal presentation of material. The word limit allows enough space for both analysis and discussion, as well providing the required detailed account of methods used.

Tuition fees

UK fees
Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

£9,250

International fees
Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

£22,136

Entry requirements

First or upper second-class degree, in archaeology, anthropology, history or a cognate discipline; other qualifications considered.

University information

The University of Southampton boasts a rich legacy of excellence in education, combining over a century of heritage and tradition with innovative modern teaching that prioritises the success of its students. Southampton is a founding member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-focused UK universities, and today ranks within the top 13 institutions in the country, according to the 2023 Complete University Guide league table. With seven...more