StudyLink logoHome
Students on a university campus

Archaeology, MA, Newcastle University

the United Kingdom

Newcastle University

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
MAFull-time12 monthsfind outfind outfind out
MAPart-time24 monthsfind outfind outfind out

About Archaeology, MA - at Newcastle University

The Archaeology MA inspires you to think about the human past from a variety of thematic and analytical perspectives. Newcastle is surrounded by world-class prehistoric, Roman, medieval and post-medieval heritage. We make full use of our rich archaeological landscape with regular study trips and fieldwork.

The Archaeology MA has six specialist pathways and a generic route to suit your individual needs, background and career aspirations:

  • Prehistoric Archaeology
  • Classical Archaeology: Greek and Roman
  • Roman Frontier Studies
  • Late Antique, Medieval and Byzantine Archaeology
  • Historical Archaeology
  • Artefacts and Technologies.

Newcastle University has a long and distinguished history of archaeological research, including:

  • Prehistoric archaeology
  • Greek archaeology
  • Roman archaeology
  • Archaeology of the Late Antique period
  • Western Medieval archaeology
  • Byzantine archaeology
  • Historical archaeology (the post-1500 AD world)
  • Landscape studies
  • Material culture studies.

We have access to some of the finest collections of archaeological artefacts in GreatBritain in the on-campus Great North Museum: Hancock.

We provide quality teaching in small groups. This means you'll reach a level of familiarity with artefacts that most students can only dream of.

We have a range of period-based, practical and theoretical modules available. Our modules will give you an understanding of the interpretive approaches that archaeologists adopt. They will also help you understand the methodologies and sources available during your investigations.

You can develop a range of advanced practical skills in:

  • artefact analysis, including metallography and use-wear analysis
  • archaeological surveying, including topographical, buildings and geophysical survey
  • database and archive use
  • geographical information systems (GIS)
  • ancient languages
  • animal bone identification.

You'll join a vibrant archaeology community at Newcastle. You'll receive specialist teaching from leading academics in subjects of their research expertise.

Throughout the course you'll have opportunities to engage and learn about our innovative research. We have an extensive programme of invited speakers organised by our research groups. Our Postgraduate Forum also has a seminar series, annual conference and e-journal.

The Archaeology MA provides you with outstanding skills and the ability to enter a range of professions. You will gain advanced skills in literacyresearch and project management. You could also choose to continue your academic career with a PhD in archaeology.

Fieldtrips

The North East has an outstanding prehistoricRoman and medieval heritage. We take full advantage of this through regular studytrips and fieldwork. You can also take optional modules with field trips to:

  • Rome 
  • Athens.

The tuition of these trips is included in your course fees. If you select a module with an overseas trip you should budget about £450 to cover your flights and accommodation.

Quality and Ranking

We rank in the top 150 for Archaeology - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019.

Delivery

All campus-based teaching takes place during the working week. Some field tripstake place during holidays and weekends, depending on the modules taken. 

Contact and independent study times vary depending on the module and time of year.

Semesters one and two: You typically attend between 6 - 15 hours of teaching per week. The remaining hours of a standard week are for independent study.

Work experience

There are many opportunities for you to gain archaeological experience outside your course. We'll encourage you to gain this experience whilst part of our archaeology community.

Staff carry out a wide range of archaeological projects. Most of our students participate in projects run in Newcastle and by partnersin the UK and overseas.

Facilities

Archaeologists have exceptional facilities on campus. This includes over 200 years of scholarshiplibraries and archaeological collections built up by the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle and the Great North Museum: Hancock.

You'll have access to one of finest archaeological collections in the UK. You can access the following internationally important collections:

  • prehistoric
  • Greek
  • Etruscan
  • Roman 
  • medieval artefacts
  • Gertrude Bell archive.

You'll be based in the recently renovated Armstrong Building. It has:

  • dedicated study spaces
  • Reading Room
  • computers
  • free printing
  • photocopying
  • laptops for research trips.

You'll also get a personal research allowance and an interlibrary loan allowance to support your studies.

Notes about fees for this course

 See our course-specific fees and funding page.

Entry requirements

A 2:1 honours degree, or an international equivalent, in archaeology. A 2:1 honours degree in any other subject will be considered alongside personal statement.

International Students

To study this course you need to meet our Band 5 English Language requirements:

Direct Entry: IELTS 6.5 overall (with 6.5 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in all other sub-skills).

Pre-sessional English Language courses are not accepted as an alternative entry to this course.

Our typical English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores but we also accept a wide range of English Language tests.

The equivalent academic qualifications that we accept are listed on our country pages.

    Courses you may be interested in at other institutions

    Below are some suggested courses at other providers that you may also be interested in:

    Geological Sciences BSc

    Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Milan

    Find out more

    Sports Therapy (wFY) BSc (Hons), Foundation

    Hartpury University

    Find out more

    Doctor of Engineering DEng

    Engineering Institute of Technology

    Find out more

    Public Administration Master Degree

    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

    Find out more

    Sustainable Energy Systems MSc

    Mälardalen University

    Find out more

    Innovative Business Design MDes

    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

    Find out more

    Postgraduate pathways and pre-masters at other institutions

    If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course then consider one of these postgraduate preparation courses from another institution:

    History of Art

    The Courtauld Institute of Art

    Find out more

    Law

    University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)

    Find out more

    Psychology

    University of Bolton

    Find out more

    Finance and Economics

    Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL)

    Find out more

    Art & Design Pre-Masters

    Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts

    Find out more

    Graduate Diploma of Technology (Enterprise Systems & Business Analytics) (FedUniv at IIBIT)

    International Institute of Business & Information Technology (IIBIT)

    Find out more

    Nursing

    University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)

    Find out more
    See all Postgraduate pathway courses

    Other courses at Newcastle University

    There are 516 other courses listed from Newcastle University. A selection of these are displayed below:

    Accounting and Finance BA (Hons)

    Newcastle University

    Find out more

    Accounting and Finance - London BSc (Hons)

    Newcastle University

    Find out more

    Accounting and Mathematics BSc (Hons)

    Newcastle University

    Find out more

    Advanced Computer Science MSc

    Newcastle University

    Find out more
    View all 516 courses at Newcastle University

    Related Information

    See other universities in Newcastle

    Find out more about studying in the United Kingdom