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.
In addition to your vocational training, you'll develop advanced research skills. When you write your dissertation you’ll be able to embed with one of our research groups to undertake original research on a topic that you choose. There is the possibility that this work will be published.
Southampton is close to the World Heritage sites of Stonehenge and Avebury and we have research projects engaged with both sites, as well as a range of other archaeological projects across the globe.
We offer 4 pathways on our MSc Archaeology degree. If you’re not sure which area of archaeology you want to specialise in, then this general pathway gives you the chance to explore a number of different areas.
Your other Archaeology MSc pathway options are:
- Archaeology Bioarchaeology - Gain specialist skills in human anatomy and faunal analysis to make sense of the past. Benefit from dedicated archaeology laboratories and specialist research.
- Archaeology Higher Archaeological Practice - Discover our Archaeological Practice master's degree at the University of Southampton. Learn how to get a job in archaeology and commercial archaeology.
- Archaeology Palaeoanthropology - Discover our Palaeoanthropology master's degree at the University of Southampton. Learn to analyse stone tools and hominin skulls to understand our evolution.
Flexible study
If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:
- a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years
Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.
Course lead
Professor Joanna Sofaer (FSA PFHEA) engages in advocacy for the Arts and Humanities at the highest levels and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. She is internationally known for her research focusing on the European Bronze Age, creativity, craft and innovation in material culture, the past as inspiration for contemporary creative practice, archaeologies of social identity, and archaeology for social benefit.
She has also developed highly successful, novel archaeology-based Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for the creative and cultural sectors. View Joanna's staff profile for more information.
Course location
This course is based at Avenue.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
You’ll need the minimum of a 2:1 degree in archaeology, anthropology, geography, biology, history or a related subject.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need an overall score of 6.5 and the following scores for reading, writing, listening and speaking:
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Recognition of professional experience
If you’ve been away from formal study for some time we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
Your studies will run for a full year, from September to the following September.
If you’d like to take longer to complete this master’s you can study part-time over 2 to 5 years.
If you decide that you’d like to change to a different archaeology specialism within the first 2 weeks of term you’ll be able to change your pathway on this degree.
Throughout your studies, we’ll encourage you to engage with the wider research community through attending and presenting at seminars, workshops or conferences. In the summer you’ll focus on your personal research project, which you’ll complete with guidance from a personal supervisor.
This archaeology master's gives you ultimate flexibility; you can choose modules from the full range of available archaeology modules. You can also:
- include up to 30 credits from final-year undergraduate archaeology modules
- gain credit through practical placements with other organisations such as museums and heritage sites
- choose to study a module from another University department, subject to the approval of the course leader
Each module requires at least 150 hours of study time. As a full-time student, you’re likely to be on campus up to 4 days a week.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
For entry in Academic Year 2020-21
Year 1 modules
You must study the following module:
You must also choose from the following modules:
Learning and assessment
Learning
We'll teach you through a combination of practical activities, field trips, research questions, and laboratory experience. This will give you the knowledge and confidence you need for all academic and professional settings.
With an emphasis on group work you will learn how to participate, chair and direct seminar discussions, and communicate research and reports to a range of audiences.
You'll learn through a variety of methods, including:
- designing exhibition proposals
- Total Station training
- essays and presentations
- assessing longer term environmental changes
- producing publication standard reports
- site mapping and analysis with Geophysical, GIS, LiDaR, remote sensing
Assessment
We'll use various methods to assess your work, including:
- individual and group presentations
- written exams and essays
- fieldwork reports
- digital projects and project design
- mapping packages
- field, laboratory, and practical tests
Dissertation
Your dissertation is a personal research project. You'll have a 20,000 word limit and it will take about 600 hours to complete.
You must take the dissertation module to complete this course unless otherwise agreed with the course coordinator.
Academic Support
Your contact hours will vary depending on your module choices. Full information about contact hours is provided in individual module profiles.
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
Our graduates have gone on to work for:
- Wessex Archaeology
- Historic Scotland
- Heritage Lottery Fund
- Geophysical Surveys of Bradford
- Channel Coastal Observatory
- Portsmouth City Council
- Maritime Archaeology Trust
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Your experience here will set you up with many transferable skills that will be valuable whatever career path you choose. You’ll gain experience of team working, presentation skills, networking and data analysis.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £19,850.
What your fees pay for
Your fees also cover:
- the majority of the cost of fieldwork trips
- up to £350 transport costs for placements
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Submit your application.
Application deadlines
UK students
Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.
International students
We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.
We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
You may also be asked to provide:
- a degree transcript
- evidence of professional qualifications
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
