Program Overview

---

MA Archaeology

The University of Reading offers a flexible MA Archaeology course that prepares students for a career in research, the commercial sector, or heritage management.

Overview

Our MA Archaeology course allows students to discover archaeology for the first time or deepen their existing knowledge. Students will gain an effective grounding in archaeological practice and research, with the opportunity to concentrate on specialized research areas through their dissertation and core modules.

Study at the UK's Top University for Archaeological Research

The University of Reading is ranked 49th in the world for Archaeology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025) and 1st in the UK for research quality and research outputs in Archaeology (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021).

What You'll Study

Students will choose from a variety of options, including:

• Specialisms from the Palaeolithic to medieval period
• Theoretical approaches and contemporary challenges
• Heritage practice
• Professional placements
• Integrated social and scientific approaches
• Post-excavation and graphics skills

Assessments are varied, providing a mix of vocational and research opportunities, such as:

• Article critiques
• Essays
• Project design and professional reports
• Practical assessments
• Heritage display
• Seminar and conference presentations
• A research proposal and dissertation

Research Opportunities

As part of their degree, students can take an optional research and enterprise placement module, gaining hands-on experience with grant applications and business proposals. Students may also participate in staff research excavations in Europe, including the "Rethinking the Green Revolution" project and excavations at an Anglo-Saxon monastery.

Facilities

Students will have access to advanced facilities in the Department of Archaeology, including:

• Fully-equipped and dedicated laboratories
• A dedicated graphics suite
• Microscopy suite
• MA study room

Entry Requirements

Normally, a good undergraduate honours degree (2:1 or above) or equivalent from a university outside the UK is required. The degree should be in archaeology, history, environmental studies, or any related field. IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent).

Structure

The course includes:

Compulsory Modules

• Theoretical Approaches and Contemporary Challenges in Archaeology
• Dissertation

Optional Modules

• From Excavation to Publication: Professional Practice in Archaeology
• Research and Enterprise Placement
• Being Human: Theory and Practice in Bioarchaeology
• Food and Culture
• The Edge of the Pleistocene World: The Lower Palaeolithic Archaeology of Europe
• Beyond the Written Word: Archaeological Perspectives on Historical Societies

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: ｣12,050. New international students: ｣26,450. Fees will increase each year according to inflation (up to 4%) and will be rounded up to the nearest ｣50.

Careers

100% of graduates from Archaeology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. Our recent graduates have gone on to work in various sectors, including:

• Professional archaeology
• Museums and heritage
• Conservation in the natural and built environments
• Publishing
• Journalism
• Radio and television
• Leisure industries
• Government and public sector
• Teaching

Past graduates have worked for employers such as Cotswold Archaeology, Oxford Archaeology, and AECOM.