Archaeological Practice (Full-time) (MA)
The MA in Archaeological Practice is a hands-on course designed for those who want to develop essential skills in archaeology, focusing on skills for post-excavation analysis. Whether you’re looking to work in the field of archaeology or the wider heritage industry, this course equips you with the practical archaeology skills needed to handle and analyse artefacts, conduct environmental analysis, and engage with the rich history uncovered through using excavation techniques.
This programme doesn’t just focus on technical skills. It also prepares you for project management in the heritage and archaeology sectors. Whether managing field projects or leading teams, you’ll learn how to keep everything running smoothly. These skills are vital, whether you’re working in cultural heritage management, commercial archaeology, or other related fields.
The course also explores more advanced topics like digital archaeology, which involves using modern technology to study historical sites and archaeological monuments. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how digital tools can bring the past to life, offering new insights and methods in archaeological research.
One of the exciting aspects of this programme is its real-world focus. The Archaeological Specialist Pathway offers professional training through apprenticeships, giving those already working in the industry a chance to expand their knowledge while gaining hands-on experience. Students may also have opportunities for work placements in museums or other heritage settings, allowing you to apply your learning in practical settings such as museum placements.
Throughout the programme, there is an emphasis on collaboration and interdisciplinary research, ensuring that your skills are not only relevant to archaeology but also adaptable to other fields. Whether you’re interested in working with artefacts, monuments, or on-site in fieldwork, this course will help you develop a well-rounded set of skills suited to various roles within archaeology and heritage.
Overall, the MA in Archaeological Practice provides a comprehensive and practical education, preparing you for a successful career in archaeology, whether in the field, in research, or in management roles. With a focus on both practical and academic skills, this programme opens up a range of opportunities for those passionate about uncovering and preserving the past.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our teaching philosophy is grounded in practical experience, interdisciplinary research, and professional training. We focus on hands-on learning, encouraging students to develop their skills through real-world applications in archaeology, from fieldwork to project management. Our aim is to equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed for a successful career in the heritage industry.
Year 1
In your first year, you will build a solid foundation in archaeological practice. You will learn key excavation techniques, methods for artefact handling, and environmental analysis. This year focuses on developing your practical archaeology skills, providing an introduction to digital archaeology and giving you insight into cultural heritage management through a wide range of optional modules.
Year 2
In your second year, the focus is on applying your skills in real-world settings. You will undertake interdisciplinary research through a dissertation project. The opportunity for work placements, including museum placements, allows you to gain hands-on experience in the heritage sector. Professional development is emphasised, preparing you for a career in cultural heritage management or commercial archaeology.
(30 credits)
(60 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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- or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
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- Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
·¡²Ô²µ±ô¾±²õ³ó&²Ô²ú²õ±è;±ô²¹²Ô²µ³Ü²¹²µ±ð r±ð±ç³Ü¾±°ù±ð³¾±ð²Ô³Ù²õ &²Ô²ú²õ±è;If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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The modules are assessed by a variety of assessment methods: reports, essays, object analyses, comparative analyses, short assignments, oral assessments and one 15000-word dissertation.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh OpportunitiesThere are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Students may spend up to £300 per year on books and additional related materials.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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This programme is ideal for those who have an archaeology degree but would like more practical module choices to help them improve their job prospects in archaeology.