Archaeology

Program Overview

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The MA in Archaeology at Durham University provides in-depth knowledge and skills for careers in archaeology, heritage management, research, and related fields. Through a diverse curriculum, practical experience, and specialization opportunities, the program develops critical thinking, research, and presentation abilities. Students engage with a vibrant academic community and have access to state-of-the-art facilities in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durham.

Program Outline

This postgraduate program provides in-depth knowledge and skills for a fulfilling career in archaeology. It focuses on developing critical thinking, research, and presentation skills through a diverse range of modules and independent research opportunities. The program is available in two formats: one-year full-time and two-years part-time.

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Objectives:

• Equip students with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in commercial archaeology, heritage management, research, journalism, and other fields related to cultural heritage.
• Develop critical thinking, research, and presentation skills through lectures, workshops, seminars, and independent research projects.
• Offer specialization opportunities through six distinct program strands: Landscape Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Archaeology of Egypt, Near East and Asia, Archaeology and Heritage of East Asia, Classical and Roman Archaeology, and Medieval and Post Medieval Archaeology.

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Program Description:

The MA in Archaeology features a comprehensive curriculum covering a wide range of archaeological periods, regions, and methodologies. It emphasizes practical experience through research projects, workshops, and field trips. The program also offers the opportunity to engage with a vibrant academic community through shared research activities, presentations, and discussions.

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Outline:

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Structure:

The program consists of core modules, research topics, and practical research and study skills modules.

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Core Modules:

• Research and Study Skills in Social Archaeology
• Dissertation

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Research Topics:

Students choose one or two research topics from a list of over 20 options, focusing on specific periods, areas, or themes in archaeology.

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Practical Research and Study Skills:

This module offers hands-on experience in archaeological research methods through workshops led by professionals and academics.

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Course Schedule:

• Year 1 (Full-time):
• Term 1: 4 hours of lectures/workshops/practical classes and 2 one-hour seminars per week.
• Term 2: 4 hours of lectures/workshops/practical classes and 2 one-hour seminars per week.
• Term 3: Focus on dissertation research and writing.
• Year 2 (Part-time):
• Similar structure with adjusted hours to accommodate the two-year timeframe.

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Individual Modules:

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Research and Study Skills in Social Archaeology:

This module focuses on developing research and presentation skills in archaeology, covering topics such as source criticism, data analysis, and ethical research practices.

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Dissertation:

Students conduct independent research under the supervision of a faculty member, culminating in a 20,000-word dissertation on a chosen topic in archaeology.

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Research Topics:

Examples of research topics include:

• The Archaeology of Death and Burial in the Roman World
• The Archaeology of the Viking Age
• The Archaeology of Landscape and Settlement in Medieval England
• The Archaeology of the Islamic World

Practical Research and Study Skills: Workshops focus on practical skills in areas such as GIS, geophysics, archaeological illustration, and museum artefact cataloguing.

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Assessment:

• Essays (2,000 or 4,000 words)
• Practical projects (e.g., poster presentations)
• Dissertation (20,000 words)

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Teaching:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Field trips
• Independent research
• Individual supervision

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Careers:

• Commercial archaeology
• Heritage management
• Research
• Museum and gallery work
• Journalism
• Cultural heritage management
• Academia

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Other:

• The program accepts students from a variety of backgrounds, including archaeology, history, classics, and anthropology.
• Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories, specialist technology, and extensive library resources.
• The program benefits from its location in Durham, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with rich archaeological resources.

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Full Time Fees

• Tuition fees
• Home students: £11,900 per year
• EU students: £26,900 per year
• Island students: £11,900 per year
• International students: £26,900 per year

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Part Time Fees

• Tuition fees
• Home students: £6,600 per year
• EU students: £14,600 per year
• Island students: £6,600 per year
• International students: £14,600 per year
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).