Archaeological Practice MRes

This versatile programme provides a basis both for doctoral study and for career development through specialisation in archaeology and heritage and cultural environment professions.  It comprises a major individual research project, supervised by a specialist in the field of study, and a taught component that develops practical and analytical skills relevant to the research.

Course fact file

Type of Course: Combined research and taught

Study Options: Full time, part time

Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

Start date: September 2013

Details

The principal element of the programme, and of assessment, is the 20,000-word research dissertation on a subject agreed by you and a member of staff with appropriate research interests. This research project also forms the core of your application to study, and we recommend that you discuss your proposed research project with a potential supervisor in advance of applying.

The thesis can be regarded as an independent piece of research or a foundation for doctoral-level study.

The potential areas for research are diverse and include British and European prehistory, the archaeology of the Roman World, Late Antiquity and Greece, and thematic areas such as environment, landscape, death and burial, age and gender, and warfare.

Alongside the dissertation, you take three taught modules complementary to your research topic and your existing skills profile. The modules available include:

  • Theory, Method and Interpretation in Archaeology
  • Landscape Archaeology
  • Field Survey
  • GIS and Spatial Analysis
  • Virtual Environments
  • Material Culture
  • Funerary Archaeology
  • Palaeoenvironments and People
  • Environmental Management
  • Palaeoentomology
  • Professional Archaeology and Heritage

There is also a variety of options in prehistoric, classical and historical archaeology, ranging from  Complex Societies to The Roman City.

Fees and funding

We charge an annual fee. Fees for 2013/14 are currently as follows:

  • Home / EU: full-time - £3,900; part-time - £1,950
  • Overseas: full-time - £12,140

Learn more about fees and funding.

Scholarships and studentships

Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available.
For further information, visit the College of Arts and Law scholarships page or email financialsupport@bham.ac.uk

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

 

Entry requirements


Learn more about entry requirements

International students

Academic requirements

We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements

You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

How to apply

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Apply now

Learning and teaching

On this programme you will have access to dedicated environmental and computer laboratories as well as use of the University’s Visual and Spatial Technology Centre|, one of the best-equipped archaeological computing facilities in the world.

You’ll also become part of – and contribute to – the vibrant international community of the College of Arts and Law Graduate School, which offers dedicated research resources and a supportive working environment. Our team of academic and operational staff are on hand to offer support and advice to all postgraduate students within the College.

Employability

The University of Birmingham has been ranked 9th in the UK and 55th in the world, for post-qualification employability in a global survey of universities commissioned by the International Herald Tribune.

Graduates with a postgraduate degree in Archaeology can boast a wide combination of skills that can be applied in many types of work and which employers regard very positively. That’s why historically, over 91% of Archaeology and Antiquity postgraduates have been in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

Not only will your degree provide excellent preparation for employment, this will be further enhanced by the employability skills training offered through the College of Arts and Law Graduate School.