MSc Geoarchaeology

About the course

Drawing on expertise from the Department of Geography, this course explores the connections between archaeology and the earth sciences. Your study will prepare you for a PhD in the subject or a specialist career in either commercial archaeology or environment management.

Core modules

• Geoarchaeology
• From Desk to Field: methods in landscape analysis
• Archaeopalynology
• Contemporary Perspectives in Environments and Landscapes
• Researching Archaeological Landscapes and Environments
• GIS and Remote Sensing In Archaeological Landscapes
• Dissertation in Geoarchaeology

Optional modules

Choose two from:

• Unlocking the Sedimentary Archive
• Spatial Techniques for Environmental Analysis
• Geochemical Techniques
• Understanding Environmental Change
• Current Issues in Environmental Sciences

Teaching

• Seminars
• Lectures
• Practical classes
• Projects

Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Dissertation

Part-time study

This course can be taken full-time or part-time.

If you study part-time, you'll take two 15-credit modules in each semester during Year 1 and Year 2, and either a dissertation or placement module over the summer of Year 2. We arrange for you to attend two days a week but we try to be as flexible as possible.

We will arrange for part-time students to attend two days per week but we try to be as flexible as possible to meet your needs.

Your future

This course is excellent preparation for a PhD and a research career.

Sheffield graduates hold archaeological posts in Europe, North America, Asia and Australasia. They use their expertise in universities, museums, archaeological consultancies, heritage parks and government. Jobs include Historic Buildings Projects Officer, Commercial Field Archaeologist and Postdoctoral Researcher.

World-leading expertise

Our track record is excellent – we've made the UK top ten for archaeology research in every national assessment since 1992. Our teaching benefits from this strength in research. As a masters student you learn from the best.

The foundations of great teaching

Our research is organised into four areas: bioarchaeology and human evolution, landscapes and environments, material culture and technologies, and Old World archaeology.

There are several specialised research centres here: Sheffield Centre for Aegean Archaeology; Sheffield Centre for Archaeobotany and Ancient Land-Use; Sheffield Centre for Historical Archaeology; Zooarchaeology Laboratory. Their projects, conferences and seminars all add to the quality of your course.

Specialist facilities

You'll have everything you need to explore your ideas. We have a complex of laboratories, imaging and GIS resources and storage facilities.

There are labs for research and teaching in environmental archaeology, human and animal skeletal analysis, landscape and aerial archaeology, and materials sciences.

Global fieldwork

We offer the opportunity for you to get involved in our research projects in the UK, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa.

Apply now

You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It is a quick and easy process.

Postgraduate Online Application Form