Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 Field Archaeology (MA) MA Field Archaeology Train to be part of the next generation of archaeological pioneers 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 Establish wide-ranging, advanced practical skills, while gaining a deep theoretical knowledge and understanding of the logistical challenges, legal requirements, values and ethics involved in archaeological fieldwork. Devised to meet demand for professional training both within the UK and internationally, this challenging and rewarding course offers you the perfect blend of theory and practice. It will give you a thorough knowledge of the history and development of archaeological fieldwork and the current state of the art, acquainting you with the key methods employed in modern fieldwork, analysis and dissemination. You'll learn to think strategically about project design and tactically about project implementation.
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 Humanities & Arts.
- 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
Our graduates have gone on to pursue research degrees or take up managerial positions working for museum, conservation and archaeological services and for local councils, national authorities, field units and heritage bodies. Other graduates have set up their own archaeological businesses, both within the UK and in other countries. You'll also develop transferable skills that are applicable to a multitude of careers beyond archaeology and heritage.
Career opportunities
- Archaeologist
- Academic researcher
- Conservator
- Heritage manager
- Museum education officer
- Geophysical surveyor
Transferable skills
- Time management
- Awareness of organisational and legislative contexts
- Skills in site evaluation
- Problem solving, often on a complex scale
- Methods of analysis
- Organise information
- Construct arguments in a logical and ordered fashion
- Research skills
- Presentation skills
- Communication skills
Program Curriculum
Course content
You will study 180 credits over the duration of your course:
- Semester 1 - one core and two option modules
- Semester 2 - three option modules
- Summer Semester - 60 credit dissertation
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules Critical Approaches to Archaeological Practice Option modules You will choose five option modules from examples including: Heritage options Curated Placement Digital Creativity GIS and spatial analysis Heritage Principles and Concepts Museums, Audiences & Interpretation Virtual Reality and 3D Modelling Bioarchaeology/osteology options Ancient Biomolecules Animal Bones for Archaeologists Professional Practice: Zooarchaeology or Human Osteology Skeletal Evidence for Health in the Past The Archaeology of the Human Skeleton Zooarchaeology in Context Artefacts options Artefacts and Materials Analysis Data Science for Archaeology Experimental Archaeology Thinking through Material Culture Field skills options Artefacts and Materials Analysis Curated Placement Digital Approaches to Archaeology Landscape survey and geophysics Project Management You'll also have the opportunity to choose options from our full module catalogue. Some option modules combinations may not be possible. The option available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Becoming Human Debates in Funerary Archaeology Histories of Conservation Researching & Analysing Historic Buildings Contemporary Issues in Museums Critical Approaches to Archaeological Practice Mesolithic Life and Death The Ancient Celts: Archaeology and Identity in Iron Age Europe Roman Europe Roman Archaeology: Ancient pasts, current issues Making the Nation Building Conservation Projects Buildings Recording Prehistoric Art: Origins and Transitions Life and Death in Iron Age Britain and Ireland Death, Burial and Commemoration in the Roman World Archaeologies of Colonialism in the British Atlantic World Medieval Settlement and Communities Plants in Archaeology Presenting Historic Houses Sustainable Buildings Sustainable Conservation Challenges Sustainability I: definitions of sustainability & methods of assessment Sustainability II: understanding sustainability as change through time The Archaeology of Roman Religion The Viking Age: People, Places, Things Understanding & Interpreting Historic Buildings 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: The Methodology and Techniques in Stratigraphic Identification and Interpretation: The Case in Hong Kong Field Archaeology. Including the Community: The Reality of Public Archaeology in the Professional Realm. A Comparison of Romano-British Identity Formation: The Personal Ornaments of Pre- and Post-Roman Britain. Finding Swinside’s Lost Circle: Its Location and Significance.
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in Archaeology or a relevant subject. |
| Other qualifications and experience | Mature students or those with less conventional qualifications but with relevant professional experience in this field will be considered. Candidates lacking sufficient previous experience will be required to spend at least three weeks prior to entry on either one of the departmentâs own training excavations or another approved project. To find out if your experience or qualifications are appropriate, please contact the Course Director. We normally interview applicants before making an offer. |
| 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- Start Date September 2026
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)