Study Details: MA 1 year full-time,
2 years part-time,
3 years part-time
Historical Archaeology explores the emergence of the modern world, from the end of the Middle Ages to the 21st century. It is one of the fastest growing areas of archaeology, dealing with many exciting issues that shape the world we have inherited today.
Drawing together a rich and diverse range of material, documentary and landscape sources, you will have the chance to explore dynamic and globally significant themes, from capitalism to colonialism. You’ll gain practical training in analysing and interpreting evidence, from excavations and standing buildings to designed landscapes and artefacts.
The knowledge and skills you’ll develop on this course will provide an unrivalled insight into the past and present, giving you a head start in many heritage or historic careers and research, as well as a range of other sectors.
2:2 or equivalent in Archaeology or a related field such as History, History of Art, Geography or English Literature.
Non-graduate applications will be considered from those with three years practical or professional experience, broadly related to the topics within historical archaeology or those disciplines listed above. Applicants are normally interviewed before an offer is made.
For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more
We’ll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2022/23 throughout the year.
Over the course of the year, you’ll develop highly valued and transferable skills, knowledge and experience essential for a wide variety of careers. Many students go on to further study or take up employment with a range of organisations both within and outside the heritage sector, including the civil service and law firms, heritage consultancies and museums.
Core modules
Your core modules will cover topics such as:
Archaeologies of Colonialism in the British Atlantic World
Making the Nation
Option modules
You will choose three option modules from examples including:
Heritage Principles and Concepts
Medieval Settlement and Communities
Researching & Analysing Historic Buildings
Thinking through Material Culture
Understanding & Interpreting Historic Buildings
You'll also have the opportunity to choose options from our full module catalogue:
Ancient Biomolecules
Animal bones for Archaeologists
Artefacts and Materials Analysis
Becoming Human
Building Conservation Projects
Buildings Recording
Contemporary Issues in Museums
Critical Approaches to Archaeological Practice
Data Science for Archaeology
Death, Burial and Commemoration in the Roman World
Debates in Funerary Archaeology
Digital Approaches to Archaeology
Digital Creativity
Experimental Archaeology
GIS and spatial analysis
Histories of Conservation
Landscape survey and geophysics
Life and Death in Iron Age Britain and Ireland
Mesolithic Life and Death
Museums, Audiences & Interpretation
Prehistoric Art: Origins and Transitions
Presenting Historic Houses
Project Management
Roman Archaeology: Ancient pasts, current issues
Roman Europe
Skeletal Evidence for Health in the Past
Sustainable Buildings
Sustainability I
Sustainability II
Sustainable Conservation Challenges
The Ancient Celts: Archaeology and Identity in Iron Age Europe
The Archaeology of the Human Skeleton
The Archaeology of Roman Religion
The Viking Age: People, Places, Things
Virtual Reality and 3D Modelling
Zooarchaeology in Context
Some option modules combinations may not be possible. The option available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
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