MSc Geoarchaeology

About the course

1 year full-time/2 years part-time

Drawing on the expertise of both our department and the Department of Geography, this course explores the connections between archaeology and the earth sciences. It is designed to prepare you for a PhD in the subject, or a specialist career in either commercial archaeology or environment management.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 honours degree in archaeology, anthropology, or one of the natural or earth sciences.

English language requirements for overseas students

Overall IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

Entry requirements for international students

Core modules

• Method and Theory in Geoarchaeology
• From Desk to Field: methods in landscape archaeology
• Method and Theory in Quaternary Palynology
• Landscape Survey Project
• Sources and Sinks Field Class
• Unlocking the Sedimentary Archive
• Spatial Techniques for Environmental Analysis
• Dissertation in Geoarchaeology

Optional module

Choose one from:

• Environmental Process Fluxes
• Geochemical Techniques in Environmental Analysis
• Researching the Archaeological Landscape

Teaching

• Seminars
• Lectures
• Practical classes
• Projects

Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Dissertation

Fees and funding

You may qualify for AHRC and University of Sheffield studentships. If you're considering applying for funding, we recommend you contact us as soon as possible.

Financial information for postgraduate taught courses

Part-time study

This course can be taken full-time or part-time. If you choose to study part-time, you’ll take two 15 credit modules in each semester during Year 1 and Year 2, and undertake either a dissertation or placement module over the summer of Year 2.

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.

Any questions?

If you'd like to know more about any aspect of our courses, contact us:

Kathryn Goldsack
E: k.goldsack@sheffield.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)114 222 5104

Your future

This course is excellent preparation for a PhD, or for work as a specialist in either commercial archaeology or environment management.

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.

World-leading expertise

You'll be joining a department that nurtures leaders, not followers. Our track record is excellent – in every national assessment since 1992 we’ve made the UK top ten for archaeology research. This strength in research feeds directly into our teaching, so as a masters student you learn from the best.

The foundations of great teaching

The research that underpins our teaching 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.

Jobs include Historic Buildings Projects Officer, Commercial Field Archaeologist and Postdoctoral Researcher.

Specialist facilities

We make sure you 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, dendrochronology and materials sciences.

Global fieldwork

You'll also have the opportunity 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