External summary

The MSc by Research in Archaeology is designed primarily for graduates who have already obtained a first degree in Archaeology and wish to undertake a research-based programme of one year in duration (full-time, or two years part time). It aims to equip students with the necessary archaeological skills in order to research a theme, topic or period in which they have a particular interest. The programme also reflects wider contemporary research themes and helps students benefit from staff research projects or interests, or to develop potential subjects for further research (PhD), while providing a solid foundation for future participation in excavation, survey or lab work.

Knowledge and understanding of the human past are central to our graduate programmes in Archaeology. Teaching and research in archaeology have a distinguished tradition in the University of Edinburgh, where there are several clusters of specialist research areas, including: late hunter-gatherers and early farmers; megalithic monuments; ancient Cyprus and early civilisations of the Near East; western Mediterranean prehistory and early Italy; Iron Age Europe; the archaeology of Scotland; Byzantine and early Medieval Archaeology; the Roman world; bioarchaeology; forensic anthropology; experimental archaeology.

Within the University, Archaeology has excellent facilities including dedicated study space, specialist archaeological and computing labs, teaching and reference materials. The city of Edinburgh provides an excellent environment in which to undertake research in archaeology, thanks also to the presence of numerous museums, heritage agencies and professional archaeologists living and working in the city.

Educational aims of programme

This programme aims to train students in research and writing skills through preparation of a dissertation and associated training, and to offer students an opportunity to develop an understanding of:

• Current theories and methodologies in archaeology

• Specific periods and regions

• Current research and research controversies

• Research tools and strategies, with relevant transferable skills for students contemplating on-going research or professional employment

• Practical archaeology through opportunities for undertaking research based on participation in excavations, surveys, fieldwork and/or lab work.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

The programme is designed to develop the student’s ability to: 

• acquire advanced knowledge of a significant research theme or topic

• contextualise their research with reference to the history and intellectual development of archaeology as a discipline

• understand the methodological and theoretical approaches that underpin their research and their place in contemporary archaeology

• understand links between different aspects of their research and potential links with other disciplines through intensive study of related themes, topics or periods

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

The programme is designed to develop a student’s ability to:

• process and critically assess information derived from archaeological research, utilising relevant archaeological skills, methods and theory.

• provide clear written and oral analyses based on archaeological research.

• construct and develop coherent arguments and ideas based on study of primary and secondary source material.

• formulate and test hypotheses.

• locate ideas and arguments within their broader intellectual context and assess their implications accordingly.

• formulate and implement a plan of research.

• conceive and pursue to its conclusion a coherent argument founded on evidence provided by the sources at the student's disposal.

• undertake a sustained independent research project, and complete it within a strict time limit.

• write clearly and concisely.

• undertake study and research conforming to the highest ethical standards.

• gain confidence in crossing boundaries between different disciplines.

• understand processes of data management and quantitative methods.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

The programme is designed to develop the student’s ability to: 

• analyse, assimilate and deploy critically a range of secondary data or literature essential to the student's individual research subject.
• identify and evaluate relevant primary data.
• formulate questions and hypotheses within a chosen research area and subject them to rigorous analysis and evaluation.
• reflect critically on the processes and methods used in their own research and  writing.
• reflect critically on the role of the individual in achieving their own personal and intellectual ambitions and goals
• develop their own ideas and arguments and give presentations on their own research to peers.
• undertake self-directed learning exercises using resources such as library, Internet, national archives, fieldwork data and museums.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

The programme is designed to develop the student’s ability to:

• assimilate, process and communicate a wide range of information from a variety of sources, including material and visual evidence.

• formulate and implement a plan of verbal communication through tutorial participation.

• write clear, accurate, precise and concise prose in different formats.

• participate effectively and inter-actively in seminar discussions, group work, and question-and-answer sessions in class.

• give formal oral presentations or illustrated talks to a group. 

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

The programme is designed to contribute to the development of personal effectiveness, with special respect to the following:

• goal setting as a route to personal effectiveness and happiness.

• time management and the most effective use of time with reference to small and large tasks and available resources.

• team working skills.

• respect for the opinions, ambitions and aims of others.

• participating in and directing effective meetings through supervision sessions, taught classes and exercises.

• understanding conventions, rules and boundaries.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

The programme will provide opportunities to develop technical and practical skills in the following areas.

• navigating and using book and journal based library resources.

• accessing and handling primary data, including material and visual sources.

• undertaking laboratory work, graphics work (illustration, design, mapping) and computer work.

• survey work or excavation through participation in fieldwork.

• data management and quantitative methods.

Programme structure and features

Structure and SCQF credit values

Students are allocated two supervisors with whom to work closely, at least one of whom will be a member of staff in Archaeology. Students complete a thesis of about 30,000 words (180 credits) which is assessed by two examiners.

All students take at least one prescribed course (Research Sources and Strategies in Archaeology), unless exempted from doing this course by their supervisors. This course is not taken on a ‘for credit’ basis and students are not obliged to submit written work for assessment for this course. Supervisors may recommend that a student take an additional or different course or courses within the suite of level 11 (MSc) courses on offer in Archaeology or possibly in another subject area within the University, although this will not be ‘for credit’ and will not count towards final assessment. All students are required to give a seminar presentation on their research project in semester 2 to an in-house audience of peers and staff in semester 2, although this does not count towards assessment.

Progression requirements

n/a

Learning outcomes and assessment practices

The programme's outcomes, detailed above, are assessed by means of a single dissertation of 30,000 words as described under ‘Assessment details’.

Modes of Study

The programme may be taken full time over twelve months or part-time over twenty four months.

Exit Awards

Requirements for the Award of the MSc

In order to be awarded the masters degree candidates must attain 180 credits by achieving a pass for the dissertation.

Requirements of the Award of the MSc with Distinction

The Masters degree may be awarded with distinction. To achieve a distinction, a student must have been awarded at least 70% on the University’s Postgraduate Common Marking Scheme for the dissertation. 

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Courses taken:

Research Sources and Strategies in Archaeology

This is a supervised reading course with weekly discussion sessions designed to prepare students to undertake research for a dissertation. It also provides an introduction to library, museum and, where appropriate, computer and archival resources in order to locate, extract and evaluate information from primary and secondary sources. The nature and content of the reading will, to some extent, depend on individual interests and specializations. Students will also be expected to give presentations on their proposed research or research interests.

Archaeology Dissertation

Students are required to research a project at an advanced level, through relevant study, consultation of sources and original research and produce a substantial written work on a set theme within prescribed parameters (within set time, and limits of length).

Assessment methods and strategies

The degree is achieved by means of independent research and a successful completion of a thesis (about 30,000 words).

Career opportunities

Archaeologists can acquire a good deal of useful practical as well as academic experience in their training. Thanks to close links between Archaeology and the Humanities (or Arts) and the Sciences (and Social Sciences) archaeologists are generally very good at collaborating and working as part of a team. They often acquire and develop special knowledge or analytical skills (using computers, mapping, or through lab work) and are able to work in a variety of contexts

Career options

Examples of career options and employment for archaeology graduates (although some may require additional training) include:

• universities

• 'heritage' management and agencies (museums, local government, trusts)

• commercial archaeology (eg excavation and fieldwork units)

• environmental assessment work

• schools (if combined with another teaching subject)

• tourist/travel industry

• broadcasting

• police

An archaeology degree does not, of course, restrict you to a career in archaeology. Some individuals develop their own career pathway in unusual ways or branch into related fields, while maintaining a lifelong interest and involvement in archaeological work and research.

Other items

The lead Supervisor is responsible for monitoring and reporting on the student’s overall academic progress, as well as offering pastoral support. Graduate Officers in the relevant subject area will offer additional academic and pastoral advice and support to each student.

Access is provided to a networked wireless graduate study room with 38 desktop PCs, as well as two further graduate study rooms containing book collections, wireless networking and study space. These are maintained by Information Services via an e-Learning and Web Development Officer. Information Services also offer students access to training courses in a range of computing applications. 

MSc students are also encouraged to engage with and attend the various research seminar programmes organised by the School so as to familiarise themselves with current research issues and to develop their discursive skills.