Program Overview

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Overview

The Master's in Archaeology at Newcastle University inspires students to think about the human past from a variety of thematic and analytical perspectives. The program offers a dynamic learning environment with field trip opportunities that bring the rich archaeological landscape to life. Students engage directly with archaeology through visits to the on-campus museum, Great North Museum: Hancock, which houses world-class collections essential to their learning experience.

What You'll Learn

The Archaeology Master's has one general and six specialist pathways, allowing students to select a pathway that suits their individual needs, background, and career aspirations. The pathways include:

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

Students will take a compulsory module and at least two optional modules. The compulsory module is:

• Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional modules include:

• Graduate Seminar in Artefact Analysis (20 credits)
• Landscape Archaeology: Theory and Practice (20 credits)
• Practicing Archaeology in a New World – Decolonisation, Heritage and Stakeholder Engagement (20 credits)
• Past Bodies (20 credits)

How You'll Learn

Assessment methods depend on the modules chosen and may include:

• Case study
• Computer assessment
• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Lab exercise
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral presentation
• Practical lab report
• Poster
• Portfolio
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Research proposal
• Research paper
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Your Development

The program helps students develop advanced practical skills, depending on the modules selected, such as:

• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Ancient languages
• Artefact and material culture analysis
• Field survey methods
• Archaeological laboratory practice
• Research skills

Your Future

The Archaeology MA provides students with outstanding skills and the ability to enter a range of professions, including:

• Heritage sector
• Commercial archaeology (cultural resource management)
• Museums
• Non-governmental organisations

Quality and Ranking

Newcastle University has a strong reputation, with:

• 42% of its research classified as 4* world-leading research (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
• A 65% increase in research power since 2014 (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
• Ranked as a Global Top 140 University (QS World University Rankings 2026)
• Ranked as a Global Top 160 University (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025)
• Ranked in the Top 100 for Archaeology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
• Ranked in the Top 125 for Arts and Humanities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Facilities

The university's archaeologists have exceptional facilities on campus, including:

• Over 200 years of scholarship, libraries, and archaeological collections built up by the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle
• The Great North Museum: Hancock, which houses one of the finest archaeological collections in the UK
• Access to internationally important collections, such as:
  • Prehistoric Europe collections
  • Ancient Greek collections
  • Etruscan collections
  • Roman collections (from across the empire)
  • Medieval artefacts
  • Gertrude Bell archive
• The Wolfson Archaeology Laboratory, which has dedicated teaching spaces and resources for conducting research, including:
  • An animal bones reference collection
  • A thin section and microfossil slide collection
  • Roman pottery collections
  • Post-Medieval metalwork and ceramics collections
  • Specialist equipment for soil, pollen, phytolith, and other microfossil sample preparations
  • A material culture analytical suite with microscopy, spectroscopy, 3D scanning, and x-ray facilities

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year):

• Home students: £11,400 (full-time), £5,700 (part-time)
• International students: £25,900 (full-time)

Entry Requirements

The entrance requirements for 2026 entry include:

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

English Language requirements:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills)
• Pearson: 62 overall (with a minimum of 51 in all sub-skills)
• Duolingo English Test: 105 overall (with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills)
• TOEFL: 90 overall (with a minimum of 19 in all sub-skills)

Admissions policy:

• The university's admissions policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions
• The policy is intended to provide information about admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, their advisors and family members, and staff of the university

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

• RPL can allow students to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills, and experience into credits towards a qualification

How to Apply

The course starts in September, and there is no application closing date. However, international students are advised to apply at least two months before the course starts. A deposit of £1,500 is required for international students who need a visa to study in the UK. The deposit is non-refundable but will be deducted from the tuition fees when the student registers.

Programme codes:

• MA Full-time: 4089F
• MA Part-time: 4089P

Using the application portal:

• The application portal has instructions to guide students through their application
• Students can choose to start their application, save their details, and come back to complete it later

Open days and events:

• The university regularly travels overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University
• Students can visit the events calendar for the latest events

Get in touch:

• For specific questions about the course, students can contact Sandra Fletcher, School of History, Classics and Archaeology
• For more general enquiries, students can complete the online enquiry form or use the Ncl chatbot for immediate answers.