Postgraduate archaeology degrees come in two main different types. A taught postgraduate degree such as an MA (Master of Arts) or MSc (Master of Science) is normally one year (full time) or two years (part time) long in the UK and offers you the chance to focus intensively on a specific area of archaeology, for example zooarchaeology, bioarchaeology (the archaeology of human remains), forensic archaeology, environmental archaeology, etc. These programmes typically include both taught modules and an original research project. They’re often, though not always, a prerequisite for going on to a research postgraduate such as a PhD. Taught postgraduate courses are advertised by institutions and applied for by prospective students in much the same way as undergraduate degrees via the UCAS website and individual institutions’ websites. When looking at your options, remember to try searching for several different variations on a theme, as programme course titles are not standardised (so far example very similar masters degrees may have “bioarchaeology”, “osteoarchaeology”, “biological anthropology” etc. in the title). As with undergraduate degrees, don’t worry too much about the distinction between an MA and MSc, as there’s often no major difference in actual subject matter in such an interdisciplinary field!
Research postgraduate degrees include MRes (Masters by Research), MPhil (Master of Philosophy) and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). These degrees typically involve less, if any, formal taught components, with students working on research projects for the equivalent of one (MRes), two (MPhil) or three to four (Phd) years full-time – though duration of these degrees may vary between institutions, and often students start MPhil research degrees before ‘upgrading’ to a PhD. These research projects may be designed by you, but more often, and certainly for positions that come with full funding attached, they may involve working on specific, pre-designed projects. However, students always have considerable input into shaping their projects, so don’t necessarily be put off if an advertised project isn’t exactly what you had in mind!
Why Would You Be Mad Enough To Do One?
Taught postgraduate degrees give you the opportunity to really focus on one specific aspect of archaeology. Many students take them as a form of CPD gaining expertise for a specific role such as that of a specialist in the archaeology sector, or in preparation for a research postgraduate degree, especially a PhD. Likewise, research postgraduate degrees are important for those who want to pursue careers in academia. However many postgraduate students simply really value the chance to spend more time and go into more depth on something they’re really passionate about, without necessarily wanting to go into a career in that field – both taught and research postgraduate degrees also provide a wealth of transferable skills, especially in project design and management, and can really make your CV stand out from the crowd.
What You Need To Undertake The Degree?
Typically most institutions in the UK would require you to have at least a second class honours degree, often an upper second class degree (2:1) in archaeology or a closely allied subject to accept you onto a taught postgraduate degree or an MRes. For a PhD you will typically need a good result at masters level. However, qualifications accepted do vary, so check institution websites to see specific entry criteria, or ask. Research postgraduate degrees may also ask for more specific qualifications or skills depending on the project, so do check individual adverts, course and institution requirements. Funded research postgraduate positions are typically advertised like other jobs, with adverts found on individual institutions’ webpages, on social media, and on commercial job websites such as jobs.ac.uk, https://www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk/ and https://www.findaphd.com/. If you’re interested in doing a research degree at a specific institution or with a specific supervisor, don’t hesitate to contact them directly, they may know of good opportunities! It’s also worth talking to current students to ensure a good match with your prospective institution and supervisory team.
What Sort of Jobs Will You Find?
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