Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 Digital Archaeology (MSc) MSc Digital Archaeology Master the digital systems that will help you to analyse archaeological data and visualise the past Year of entry: 2026 (September) Overview Course content Fees and funding Teaching and assessment Careers Entry requirements Start date September 2026 View semester dates Length 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, 3 years part-time School/department Department of Archaeology Apply for this course Sign up for event invites Sign up for our postgraduate emails to get event invites straight to your inbox. Find out more 5 th in the UK QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026 16 th in the world for archaeology QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026 Digital archives are a rich resource for knowledge preservation, exchange and dissemination. Digital technologies offer us new ways to understand, interpret and model the past. This course provides practical experience and a broad foundation in computing applications that is highly valued in the heritage sector. You'll have access to a full suite of research computing hardware and software and develop knowledge of internet applications, database design and management, Graphics Information System (GIS) technology, CAD and computer modelling systems.
Key Program Features
- Immersive On-Campus Experience: In-person seminars, laboratory sessions, and professional networking at University of York.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Interdisciplinary Studies.
- Diverse International Cohort: Study alongside students from around the world, broadening your global professional network.
- Research-Informed Curriculum: Content grounded in the latest academic research and real-world industry practice.
- Dissertation / Capstone Project: Culminating independent project applying your expertise to an original research question or industry challenge.
- Dedicated Career Support: Access to career coaching, employer networking events, and job placement assistance.
- 12 months Duration: Part-time and accelerated options may be available — enquire with the admissions office.
Career Opportunities
Careers and skills
This course offers practical, career-focused training for many essential roles in the professional world of archaeology. The digital knowledge you'll develop, including transferable skills such as database design, will leave you well prepared for a wide range of technology-focused careers in archaeology, the heritage sector and beyond.
Career opportunities
- Higher education teaching and research
- Consultancy
- Digital archive manager
- Social media manager
- Local government and development officer
- Digital data manager
Transferable skills
- High levels of digital literacy, including digital archiving and imaging
- Data collection and management
- Critical thinking through and with digital technologies
- High level of written and oral skills
- Project management
- Time management
Program Curriculum
Course content
- Semester 1 - one core and two option modules
- Semester 2 - three option modules
- Summer Semester - 60 credit dissertation
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules Digital Approaches to Archaeology Option modules You'll choose five option modules from examples including: Curated Placement Data Science for Archaeology Digital Creativity GIS and Spatial Analysis Virtual Reality and 3D Modelling Archaeology and AI It is recommended that you choose a minimum of one, preferably two digital optional modules to prepare you for dissertation work. You'll also have the opportunity to choose options from our full module catalogue. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Ancient Biomolecules Animal bones for Archaeologists Archaeologies of Colonialism in the British Atlantic World Becoming Human Building Conservation Projects Buildings Recording Contemporary Issues in Museums Critical Approaches to Archaeological Practice Death, Burial and Commemoration in the Roman World Debates in Funerary Archaeology Experimental Archaeology Heritage Principles and Concepts Histories of Conservation Landscape survey and geophysics Life and Death in Iron Age Britain and Ireland Making the Nation Medieval Settlement and Communities Mesolithic Life and Death Museums, Audiences & Interpretation Prehistoric Art: Origins and Transitions Presenting Historic Houses Project Management Researching & Analysing Historic Buildings Roman Archaeology: Ancient pasts, current issues Roman Europe Skeletal Evidence for Health in the Past Sustainability I: definitions of sustainability & methods of assessment Sustainability II: understanding sustainability as change through time Sustainable Buildings Sustainable Conservation Challenges The Ancient Celts: Archaeology and Identity in Iron Age Europe The Archaeology of Roman Religion The Archaeology of the Human Skeleton The Viking Age: People, Places, Things Thinking through Material Culture Understanding & Interpreting Historic Buildings Zooarchaeology in Context Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Dissertation You'll complete an 8,000-word dissertation on your research. You will receive support, advice and guidance from your dissertation supervisor throughout your project. The range of expertise of our staff means we can provide you with guidance on a wide range of topics. You will have one-to-one meetings with supervisors across the Summer Semester. Examples of previous dissertations include: A study of the Wilberforce Memorial School for the Blind using soundscapes Proposal of an archaeological and heritage role-playing video-game of the ancient Roman city of York (Eboracum) Improving the discoverability of zooarchaeological data with the help of natural language processing The use of unmanned aerial vehicles to create 3D landscape models of deserted medieval villages
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent. |
| Other qualifications and experience | Mature students or those with less conventional qualifications but with relevant professional experience and enthusiasm for this field will be considered. To find out if your professional experience or qualifications are appropriate, please contact the Course Director. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Additional requirements
You will need to submit examples of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work . English language If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications: Qualification Minimum requirement IELTS (Academic and Indicator) 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component Cambridge CEFR B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component Oxford ELLT 7, minimum of 6 in each component Oxford Test of English Advanced 136, minimum 126 in each component Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in all other components LanguageCert SELT B2 with 33/50 in each component LanguageCert Academic 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component Kaplan Test of English Language 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component PTE Academic 61, minimum 55 in each component TOEFL 87, minimum of 21 in each component Trinity ISE III Merit in all requirements For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements . If you haven't met our English language requirements You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer. The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements. After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
EUR 15,680/year (international)
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,500 | £27,250 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,250 | £13,625 |
| Part-time (3 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £4,167 | £9,083 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,500 | £27,250 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,250 | £13,625 |
| Part-time (3 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £4,167 | £9,083 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
About University of York
University of York
Heslington, United Kingdom
University of York is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)