Archaeology MPhil / PhD

Program Overview

The Archaeology PhD/MPhil program at the University of Liverpool is a research-based degree that allows students to delve into the study of the ancient world. The program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct independent research in archaeology, encompassing various fields from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic societies to the archaeology and cultures of the Ancient Near East and the Mediterranean. Students benefit from world-leading scholars, research groups, fieldwork opportunities, and state-of-the-art facilities, preparing them for a range of careers in archaeology.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Archaeology PhD/MPhil program at the University of Liverpool is a research-based degree that allows students to delve into the study of the ancient world. The program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct independent research in archaeology. The program is internationally renowned for its excellence in both teaching and research, with a history spanning over 130 years.

Objectives:

The program aims to equip students with:

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of archaeological theory and methods.
• The ability to conduct independent research in archaeology.
• The skills necessary to communicate their research findings effectively.

Description:

The program offers a comprehensive exploration of the ancient world, encompassing various fields, including:

• Palaeolithic and Neolithic societies of Southwest Asia, Mediterranean Europe, and Africa: This includes studying the origins of humanity, the transition from foraging to farming, and the impact of environmental and climate change on human societies.
• Human evolution: This involves investigating the development of stone tool technologies, the emergence of symbolism and language, and the origin of human ecological adaptations.
• Archaeobotanical science: This focuses on the study of plant remains, including seeds and charcoal, to understand past environments and human interactions with plants.
• Archaeozoology: This involves the analysis of animal remains to reconstruct past environments, human diet, and animal domestication.
• Bioarchaeology: This combines biological and archaeological methods to study human remains, including stable isotopes and skeletal analysis.
• Archaeomaterials: This focuses on the study of materials used in the past, such as ceramics, metals, and stone tools.
• Classical archaeology: This explores the archaeology of ancient Greece and Rome, including their cultures, societies, and material remains.
• The archaeology and cultures of the Ancient Near East and the Mediterranean: This encompasses the study of ancient civilizations, such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Levant.
• Later British and European prehistory: This investigates the archaeology of the Iron Age in Europe and Britain, including social organization, settlement patterns, and material culture.
• Medieval and post-Medieval archaeology: This explores the archaeology of the Middle Ages and the period following, including the study of castles, churches, and urban landscapes.

Teaching:

• Faculty: The program is taught by a team of world-leading scholars in their respective fields.
• Research Groups: The program benefits from dynamic research groups that provide a forum for the exchange of new concepts and cutting-edge knowledge.
• Seminar Series: The program includes dedicated seminar series where students can present their research, develop their research profile, and interact with leading figures in the field.
• Fieldwork: Fieldwork is an integral part of the program, with several field projects based in the UK and abroad.
• Facilities: Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including the Garstang Museum of Archaeology, the Elizabeth Slater Archaeology Research Laboratories, and a dedicated Research Microscopy suite.
• Training: Students receive training in a wide range of ancient languages, including Greek, Latin, Egyptian, Coptic, Sumerian, and Akkadian.
They can also study modern languages through Liverpool's Open Languages program.

Other:

• Research Themes: The program focuses on several research themes, including Human Evolution, Prehistoric Archaeology & Human Palaeoecology, The Archaeology of the Ancient Mediterranean and the Near East, Later European & British prehistory, and Historical Archaeology.
• Research Collaborations: The program maintains research collaborations with National Museums Liverpool.

The fees below reflect one year of study during the 2024/25 academic year MPhil / PhD Duration UK students International Students Full time 2-4 years £4,786 Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £29,750 (Band A)^ Faculty of Science and Engineering £29,750 (Band A)^ or £23,400 (Band B) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £23,400 (Band B) Part time 4-6 years £2,393 Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £14,900 (Band A)^ Faculty of Science and Engineering £14,900 (Band A)^ or £11,700 (Band B) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £11,700 (Band B) The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.

• Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project.
Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter. ^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.