Course Overview
The MRes programme is taught within the School of Archaeology, History and Anthropology, and seeks to embed the student experience into a range of landscapes, both wild and managed, and environments within Wales where unique and particular landscapes are encountered. Many, but by no means all, employment opportunities are focused on the conservation, preservation, exploitation or manipulation of the natural resources.
Industries based on tourism, cultural heritage and sustainability, to name a few, are prime destinations within Wales (and beyond) for graduates from this programme of study. Integral to this is an understanding of what archaeological evidence survives, and what methods and techniques can be used to explore and explain both past and present human relationships to these landscapes and environments.
Along with the emphasis on 'employability', students engage in a rigorous academic training grounded in the discipline that is Archaeology which comes to a head in the Dissertation of between 25,000 and 30,000 words. Students are schooled in the concepts and practices required to undertake good academic research. Field and laboratory experiences underpinned with both legal and theoretical frameworks are core attributes of this scheme.
Core staff teaching the scheme are actively engaged with a wide range of professional bodies, undertaking contract research, acting as advisors, or are recognised specialists in their field. Such staff operate at the crossing point of archaeology as an academic discipline and industry and community. The programme benefits considerably from the experience and expertise of UWLAS (University of Wales, Lampeter Archaeological Services) which provides a professional consultancy service across a range of areas including dendrochronology, pollen analysis, archaeozoology, quaternary stratigraphy, soils and sediments analysis.
Key Features
Draws upon a range of expertise in the School
Our lecturers are active within the consultancy world of environmental archaeology which gives the programme a strongly vocational tilt.
Extremely good record of finding students who have completed the course employment opportunities many within the sector.
Modules
Students will choose three modules. Below is an illustrative list of modules available:
- British Landscape and Environmental Field Class (40 credits)
- Research Methodologies (compulsory)
- Heritage Project Management in the Modern World
- Advanced Palaeoenvironmental Methods
- Work Placement
- Dissertation
Assessment
A range of assessment methods are used from essays and short written evaluation, to the creation of publicity flyers, feasibility reports, oral presentations and reflective pieces.
Career Opportunities
The programme has a good record of matching students to the needs and requirement of the labour market