Overview
Join our Master’s in Archaeology and immerse yourself in a region rich with prehistoric, Roman, medieval, and post-medieval heritage.
Experience a dynamic learning environment with field trip opportunities that bring our rich archaeological landscape to life, and engage directly with archaeology through visits to our on-campus museum, Great North Museum: Hancock, which houses world-class collections that are essential to your learning experience.
The Archaeology Master’s has six specialist pathways and a generic route. You can select a pathway to suit your individual needs, background and career aspirations. As well as a general ‘Archaeology’ pathway, you can choose from:
- Prehistoric Archaeology
- Classical Archaeology: Greek and Roman
- Roman Frontier Studies
- Late Antique, Medieval and Byzantine Archaeology
- Historical Archaeology
- Archaeology, Artefacts and Technologies
Newcastle University has a long and distinguished history of archaeological research, including:
- Prehistoric archaeology in Britain, Western Europe and the Mediterranean
- Greek archaeology
- Roman archaeology
- Archaeology of the late antique period
- Western medieval archaeology
- Byzantine archaeology
- Historical archaeology (the post-1500 AD world)
- Landscape studies
- Material culture studies
- Experimental archaeology
You’ll join a vibrant archaeology community at Newcastle and receive specialist teaching from leading academics in subjects of their research expertise.
Throughout the course you’ll have opportunities to engage and learn about our innovative research.
We have an extensive programme of invited speakers from across the country and around the world, giving you a chance to connect with researchers based in other institutions.
Join a vibrant community of postgraduate students from Archaeology, Classics and History through our Postgraduate Forum, which also has a seminar series, annual conference and e-journal.
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Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MA – Master of Arts
An MA is a taught Master’s degree. It usually involves the study of social sciences, art and humanities, and business, consulting and management. It typically includes:
- subject-specific taught modules
- a dissertation or research project of approximately 15,000 – 18,000 words
You’ll usually study an MA full-time over 12 months.
A Master of Arts is awarded for the successful completion of 120 credits of taught modules and a 60 credit dissertation or research project.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.
What you’ll learn
Build the degree that works for you. Pick from various period-based, practical, and theoretical modules.
Our compulsory modules build a solid foundation in archaeological research. Optional modules let you specialise in particular fields of interest.
Lectures, seminars, and practical activities will help you understand how archaeologists interpret data. In turn you’ll better understand how to apply their methodologies and sources to your own research.
Modules
All students will take the following module:
| Compulsory module | Credits |
|---|---|
| ARA8099 Dissertation | 60 |
All students will take at least one of the following modules:
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| ARA8025 Graduate Seminar in Artefact Analysis | 20 |
| ARA8150 Graduate Seminar in Roman Archaeology | 20 |
| ARA8180 Early Medieval Western Europe | 20 |
| ARA8291 Graduate Seminar in Historical Archaeology: Archaeologies of European Expansion | 20 |
| ARA8392 Graduate Seminar in Prehistoric Archaeology | 20 |
If you choose to take a pathway (more information below) we highly recommend that you choose the graduate seminar for that pathway. For example, if you choose the Prehistoric Archaeology pathway, we recommend you choose ARA8392 Graduate Seminar in Prehistoric Archaeology.
Pathways
Before you start your degree you may choose to graduate with an MA in Archaeology, or you may choose to specialise in one of the following areas:
- Prehistoric Archaeology
- Classical Archaeology: Greek and Roman
- Roman Frontier Studies
- Late Antique, Medieval and Byzantine Archaeology
- Historical Archaeology
- Archaeology, Artefacts and Technologies
When you graduate, your degree transcript will reflect the pathway that you choose, eg MA Prehistoric Archaeology
If you’d prefer not to specialise in one of these areas and instead graduate with an MA in Archaeology, you may choose your remaining credits (up to a total of 180) from any of the modules listed in the Archaeology section below.
However, if you choose a pathway, you must complete at least three modules from that pathway. For example if you choose Prehistoric Archaeology, you must choose at least three modules from the Prehistoric Archaeology section listed below, with any remaining credits used on modules in the Archaeology section.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
If you choose the standard Archaeology pathway, you may choose your remaining credits (up to a total of 180) from any of the modules listed below:
*These modules are co-taught with final-year undergraduate students but assessed at a post-graduate level. You can only take a maximum of two of these modules. If you have previously taken an undergraduate version of this module at Newcastle University, you will have to replace it with a different module.
**You may take two, but not all of these modules.
If you choose the Prehistoric Archaeology pathway, you must choose at least three of the following modules:
*These modules are co-taught with final-year undergraduate students but assessed at a post-graduate level. You can only take a maximum of two of these modules. If you have previously taken an undergraduate version of this module at Newcastle University, you will have to replace it with a different module.
Classical Archaeology: Greek and Roman
If you choose the Classical archaeology: Greek and Roman pathway, you must choose at least three of the following modules:
*These modules are co-taught with final-year undergraduate students but assessed at a post-graduate level. You can only take a maximum of two of these modules. If you have previously taken an undergraduate version of this module at Newcastle University, you will have to replace it with a different module.
If you choose the Roman Frontier Studies pathway, you must choose at least three of the following modules:
*These modules are co-taught with final-year undergraduate students but assessed at a post-graduate level. You can only take a maximum of two of these modules. If you have previously taken an undergraduate version of this module at Newcastle University, you will have to replace it with a different module.
Late Antique, Medieval and Byzantine Archaeology
If you choose the Late Antique Medieval and Byzantine pathway, you must choose at least three of the following modules:
*These modules are co-taught with final-year undergraduate students but assessed at a post-graduate level. You can only take a maximum of two of these modules. If you have previously taken an undergraduate version of this module at Newcastle University, you will have to replace it with a different module.
If you choose the Historical Archaeology pathway, you must choose at least three of the following modules:
*These modules are co-taught with final-year undergraduate students but assessed at a post-graduate level. You can only take a maximum of two of these modules. If you have previously taken an undergraduate version of this module at Newcastle University, you will have to replace it with a different module.
Archaeology, Artefacts and Technologies
If you choose the Archaeology, Artefacts and Technologies pathway, you must choose at least three of the following modules:
*These modules are co-taught with final-year undergraduate students but assessed at a post-graduate level. You can only take a maximum of two of these modules. If you have previously taken an undergraduate version of this module at Newcastle University, you will have to replace it with a different module.
How you’ll learn
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Design or creative project
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Lab exercise
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral presentation
- Practical lab report
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Research proposal
- Research paper
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Your development
Practical skills
You can develop a range of advanced practical skills depending on the modules you select. These can include:
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- ancient languages
- artefact and material culture analysis
- field survey methods
- archaeological laboratory practice
- research skills
Work experience
We’ll encourage you to gain archaeological experience outside of your course while you’re part of our archaeology community.
We make every effort to provide opportunities for students to join on various ongoing research projects and excavations run by staff.
Your future
What can you do with a master’s in archaeology?
The Archaeology MA provides you with outstanding skills and the ability to enter a range of professions. You’ll gain advanced skills in:
- research
- project management
- archaeological method and theory
- communication
- problem-solving
- responsibility/leadership
- team work
- time management
Many of our students go on to careers in the heritage sector, including commercial archaeology (cultural resource management), museums and non-governmental organisations.
We have extensive ties with local heritage organisations and provide opportunities to network with prospective employers.
You could also choose to continue your academic career with a PhD in archaeology.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 100 for Archaeology – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Facilities
Our archaeologists have exceptional facilities on campus. This includes over 200 years of scholarship, libraries and archaeological collections built up by the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle and the Great North Museum: Hancock, through which you’ll have access to one of the finest archaeological collections in the UK.
You can access the following internationally important collections:
- Prehistoric Europe collections
- Ancient Greek collections
- Etruscan collections
- Roman collections (from across the empire)
- Medieval artefacts
- Gertrude Bell archive
The recently refurbished Armstrong Building is home to Archaeology. It has:
- dedicated study spaces
- Reading Room
- computers
- free printing
- photocopying
- laptops for research trips
The Wolfson Archaeology Laboratory has dedicated teaching spaces as well as resources to conduct your own research, including:
- an animal bones reference collection
- a thin section and microfossil slide collection
- Roman pottery collections
- Post-Medieval metalwork and ceramics collections
- specialist equipment for soil, pollen, phytolith and other microfossil sample preparations.
- a material culture analytical suite with microscopy, spectroscopy, 3D scanning and x-ray facilities
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or an international equivalent, in archaeology. A 2:1 honours degree in any other subject will be considered alongside personal statement.
