MSc In Archaeology 2022-2023

The following information applies only to students who will begin their masters degree in October 2022. If you are interested in the MSc in Archaeology, please see the site for our present intake. 
 

Streams

During this taught Master's degree you will specialise in a particular area of archaeology, and will follow one of a number of subject streams:

Structure

Each stream comprises four modules and a dissertation.

The core module ‘Archaeological Principles: Data and Theory’, which all students take in the first term, is designed to prepare you with necessary archaeological knowledge, research and practical skills to support your other modules and dissertation.

You will take two core modules offered within your stream, one taught in the first term, and the other taught in the second term.

The fourth module is your option module, also taught in the second term. This is chosen from all available modules in any stream, or a module from the MSt in Classical Archaeology. In some circumstances a subject taught in the MSc in Archaeological Science may be taken as your option module and is taught over two terms.

You will complete a dissertation of 15,000 words on an approved topic relevant to your stream subject, chosen in consultation with a supervisor. Most of the dissertation research and writing takes place in the third term and into the summer.

The MSc in Archaeology allows subject specialisation, but also flexibility, by combining core modules with your option module, and topics chosen for your dissertation and summative essays. The dissertation allows you to develop a larger piece of research in which you can more fully explore a topic. It will allow you to develop your research skills and undertake self-directed and independent research that is a necessary basis for future doctoral research, and highly desirable in non-academic employment.

School of Archaeology Awards

Five awards typically of £7,000 each are available for the academic year 2022-23.  

To be eligible you need to apply to the MSc in Archaeology programme through the usual application system in the preceding November or January application round. There is no separate application form for the award. If you are offered a place on the programme you will be automatically considered for shortlisting for one of the awards.  

All Home/EU and Overseas status applicants are eligible. 

Awards will be offered to the strongest applicants who demonstrate: 

  • motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study, 
  • sound reasons for applying to the School of Archaeology, the MSc in Archaeology and your chosen stream, and 
  • evidence that your academic ability and focus are suited to the demands and nature of the degree. 

Applicants will normally be notified if they have been successful by the start of April. At this point an acceptance of the award is expected within a couple of weeks. 

Successful applicants are asked to inform the School of Archaeology of any other offers of financial support for the purpose of their studies at Oxford. Adjustments to the value of the award may be made to take account of these.

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Please note that the modules and streams listed on this website are indicative of the typical offerings and are subject to review each year. Whilst every effort is made to offer the full variety of modules/streams this is not possible to do every year. This is due to the fact that some modules/streams are dependent on student numbers to ensure an appropriate quality of education; timetable clashes; staff availability; etc. We aim to keep the website as up-to-date as possible but we recommend that you seek specific advice from pgt-support@arch.ox.ac.uk on module/stream availability.