Archaeology (MA)
The Masters degree in Archaeology offers students the opportunity to study a range of regions, periods and specialist topics in detail. The programme of study is based on Cardiff's particular teaching and research expertise. A major aim of the degree is to prepare students for further post-graduate and professional work. From the MA, many students proceed directly to the PhD, either at Cardiff or at other UK universities. Some students complete the MA and then enter employment, either in archaeology units, in museums or in completely unrelated fields.
MA Archaeology pathways
There are a number of pathways available through the MA Archaeology which provide the opportunity for more focused study. These currently include:
British Prehistory
Early Medieval Society and Culture
European Neolithic
Overview
Students take a total of 180 credits of modules over one or two years (for the full- or part-time programme). Of the 180 credits, 40 come from the core skills modules and 60 come from the dissertation module. Students acquire the remaining 80 credits from a choice of Masters options modules.
Please note that some modules are subject to review and may change prior to academic year 2013-2014.
Skills Modules (40 credits)
- Writing Archaeology - 10 credits (HST300)
- Research Methods - 10 credits (HST301)
- Speaking Archaeology - 10 credits (HST302)
Options Modules (80 credits chosen from the following)
- Ancient Warfare - 20 credits (HST009)
- Greek Epigraphy - 20 credits (HST026)
- Themes in the Neolithic - 20 credits (HST405)
- The Prehistory of Food - 40 credits (HST406)
- The Early Celts - 40 credits (HST533)
- Interpreting the Past - 40 credits (HST536)
Dissertation (60 credits)
HST590 Archaeological Dissertation (60 credits)
Funding
To find out about funding opportunities please visit our Postgraduate Funding Opportunities page .
Learning Outcomes and Career Preparation
A particular strength of the Cardiff MA in Archaeology is the preparation it provides for students wishing to pursue non-archaeological careers. Thus, in addition to helping students obtain a detailed and critical archaeological knowledge, the Cardiff MA offers students the chance to acquire and perfect valuable skills critical to careers in many different fields. Often referred to as transferable or generic skills, these skills expand students' individual capabilities and make it easier for students to obtain employment and enter their careers with abilities that are widely considered essential for professional success.
Upon completion of the MA in Archaeology (and all other MA and MScs offered in Archaeology and Conservation at Cardiff), students will have acquired the following skills.
Intellectual skills, including the ability to critically evaluate evidence and its interpretation and to be tolerant of differing interpretations; to sustain a logical argument and reach a conclusion that can be defended; to synthesise and analyse information; to compare and contrast theoretical explanations and to integrate different methodologies.
Communication skills, including the ability to communicate orally in an appropriate professional medium; to make presentations both as an individual and as part of a group; to write effectively at an advanced level.
Numeracy skills, including the ability to display and present numerical data in appropriate formats; and to analyse numerical data and solve basic mathematical and statistical problems.
Information technology skills, including the ability to produce and calculate values using a spreadsheet; to produce and query databases; to use e-mail, the Internet and the World Wide Web; to find, manage and utilise information and data.
Personal skills, including the ability to manage workloads; to adapt and apply skills to new contexts; to assess and formulate priorities, constraints and goals and to adapt to changing circumstances.
Above all, by the end of the Cardiff Masters degree, students will be able to critically assess the work of others and of their own, to engage effectively in debate at an advanced level, to plan, design and carry out a coherent research strategy, and to produce detailed and coherent reports and presentations.
Admissions requirements
Students applying to take the MA should have (normally) one of the following qualifications:
- at least an Upper Second Class (2.i) undergraduate degree in Archaeology or a related subject.
- An undergraduate degree in archaeology or a related subject from a non-UK university. We encourage applications from students whose undergraduate degrees are from non-UK universities. Please contact the postgraduate admissions tutor to discuss particular requirements.
- Experience, qualifications or achievements in museums, heritage management or another field of relevance. Potential applicants are required to contact the post-graduate admissions tutor.
For more information contact:
Admissions Tutor for Postgraduate Archaeology
See this course on the University's Coursefinder website.