Explore this course:
Archaeology
Department of Archaeology,
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Course description
The cross-discipline pathway provides a route into advanced study of archaeology for students with generalist interests. You’ll create a bespoke course within a clear structure that allows you to engage your specific interests in period, region or approach while building on a strong foundation of understanding archaeology as a discipline. You’ll choose between completing a research dissertation or developing employability through a work placement.
The Classical Mediterranean pathway reflects one of our departmental core strengths, the archaeology of the Classical and Mediterranean world. You’ll study the Classical Mediterranean from a range of archaeological perspectives – socio-cultural, landscape, materials, bioarchaeological – within a directed structure of core modules and a research dissertation. The additional options of existing Ancient History modules and Latin will allow you to further customise your degree.
This course is excellent preparation for a PhD. You’ll also develop the professional and transferable skills you need to progress to a career in this field.
MA students
You'll also go on a work placement and complete a report as part of your placement experience OR choose your own research project and complete a dissertation.
Modules
Core modules:
- Research Design: Planning, Execution and Presentation
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This module provides students with the advanced understanding they need to design an effective research project, that addresses a question relevant to current debate in archaeology, and in particular to plan a successful MA/MSc dissertation. It comprises six group seminar sessions and three seminars in which students from different courses are streamed to be taught subject-specific material by experts in the field. The module culminates in a research day during which students present their dissertation plans to their peers and staff assessors. Assessment is in two parts: a succinct powerpoint presentation of dissertation proposal and outline; and a grant proposal.
15 credits - Reinventing Archaeology
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This course will seek to understand how the structure of the modern practice of archaeology has come about and how changes in working methods and theoretical perspective may reconfigure the discipline. Reference will be made to the debates in method and theory and the relationships among certain specialisms. Students will develop, and to be able to express, their understanding of the discipline and the current and future position of their own ambitions.
15 credits - Dissertation
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This module requires students to plan, execute and write up an original research project. This dissertation project is chosen with, and approved by, the designated supervisor, who may or may not be the programme director. Dissertation topics must be based on original research and on the students' own ideas: they must be worthwhile, affordable, manageable within time limits, be capable of supervision within the Department and related to the subject matter on the appropriate Masters.
60 credits - Work Placement
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The placement scheme is designed to allow students to work alongside practitioners 'in the field', and to get consolidated hands on experience in a subject/technique of particular interest to them. Placements can be in any sphere of professional practice in archaeology or management of the historic environment. Students will be expected to spend a minimum of eight weeks on the placement. The assessment will have two elements: a short account of the placement, and a written project report resulting from an aspect of the work undertaken.
60 credits
Optional modules:
You can take 90 credits of modules from across the Department.
Core modules:
- Research Design: Planning, Execution and Presentation
-
This module provides students with the advanced understanding they need to design an effective research project, that addresses a question relevant to current debate in archaeology, and in particular to plan a successful MA/MSc dissertation. It comprises six group seminar sessions and three seminars in which students from different courses are streamed to be taught subject-specific material by experts in the field. The module culminates in a research day during which students present their dissertation plans to their peers and staff assessors. Assessment is in two parts: a succinct powerpoint presentation of dissertation proposal and outline; and a grant proposal.
15 credits - Reinventing Archaeology
-
This course will seek to understand how the structure of the modern practice of archaeology has come about and how changes in working methods and theoretical perspective may reconfigure the discipline. Reference will be made to the debates in method and theory and the relationships among certain specialisms. Students will develop, and to be able to express, their understanding of the discipline and the current and future position of their own ambitions.
15 credits - Dissertation
-
This module requires students to plan, execute and write up an original research project. This dissertation project is chosen with, and approved by, the designated supervisor, who may or may not be the programme director. Dissertation topics must be based on original research and on the students' own ideas: they must be worthwhile, affordable, manageable within time limits, be capable of supervision within the Department and related to the subject matter on the appropriate Masters.
60 credits - Mediterranean Landscapes
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This module, based on lectures and seminars, explores the interaction between human societies and physical landscapes in the Mediterranean region through time. It covers how we investigate change and continuity in physical and cultural landscapes, how Mediterranean landscapes have been exploited and understood in various different ways by humans throughout history and how the particular forms of Mediterranean landscapes that exist today have come into being.The aim of this module is to explore the interaction between human societies and physical landscapes in the Mediterranean region through time. It covers how we investigate change and continuity in landscapes, how Mediterranean landscapes have been exploited and understood in various different ways by humans throughout history and how the particular forms of Mediterranean landscapes that exist today have come into being. The objective is for students to be able to understand how landscapes are studied and critically to evaluate archaeological reconstructions of human-landscape interactions through time.
15 credits - Archaeology in the Classical Mediterranean
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Investigates the archaeology of the Classical Mediterranean world, with a focus on interrogating the development of the discipline and approaches (first half) and then using this background to explore the themes of colonisation and identity (second half). Examples will be drawn from European societies from the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age in the Greek world through the fall of the Roman empire, drawing on material from the Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions.
15 credits - Roman Italy and its Hinterland
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Provides you with a detailed knowledge of the archaeology of the Roman Empire, from the city of Rome to settlements in Italy and other regions of Europe. This module consists of two elements:-A series of 2-hour lectures (shared with UG module Rome: Capital, Hinterland and Periphery) that: trace the creation and development of Rome as cosmopolis, as well as the transformation of towns in Italy, the Mediterranean and Europe in emulation of Rome; explore and discuss the profound changes in society from Republic to Empire, the political and economic culture of Empire, and the visual and material expression of imperial ideology; examine the dialogue between the living and the dead and its cultural and social implications for Rome.-A series of MA-only seminars that explore in detail some of the key research themes of the period.
15 credits
Optional modules:
You can take 45 credits of modules from across the Department.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Open days
An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses. You'll find out what makes us special.
Duration
- MA: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
- Postgraduate Diploma: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
- Postgraduate Certificate: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Teaching
You'll be taught through a mix of lectures, tutorials, seminars and field trips.
Assessment
Your assessments will include essays, portfolio work, practical work, exams, a dissertation or a placement report.
Student profiles
MA Archaeology is an excellent course as it allows the flexibility to diversify which modules I can study in order to pursue multiple interests. Learning comes in the form of lectures, seminars, field trips, workshops and independent study. All of these methods contribute to a dynamic range of teaching and understanding and provide the basis for meaningful research by students. Furthermore, the passion of both students and staff for archaeology is incredible – the warm, friendly and dedicated atmosphere of the department was a significant factor in why I decided to choose Sheffield.
Entry requirements
Usually a minimum 2:1 honours degree in an arts, humanities or science subject. But your interest in and understanding of archaeology is more important than what you studied at undergraduate level.
Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.
Fees and funding
Apply
You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.