Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 Historical Archaeology (MA) MA Historical Archaeology Study at the cutting edge of post-medieval archaeological investigation 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 Historical Archaeology explores the emergence of the modern world, from the end of the Middle Ages to the 21st century. It is one of the fastest growing areas of archaeology, dealing with many exciting issues that shape the world we have inherited today. Drawing together a rich and diverse range of material, documentary and landscape sources, you will have the chance to explore dynamic and globally significant themes, from capitalism to colonialism. You'll gain practical training in analysing and interpreting evidence, from excavations and standing buildings to designed landscapes and artefacts.
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
Over the course of the year, you'll develop highly valued and transferable skills, knowledge and experience essential for a wide variety of careers. Many students go on to further study or take up employment with a range of organisations both within and outside the heritage sector, including the civil service and law firms, heritage consultancies and museums.
Career opportunities
- Archaeologist
- Heritage manager
- Business administrator
- Academic researcher
- Chartered surveyor
- Museum education officer
Transferable skills
- Time management
- Appraise complex information
- Organise information
- Formulate arguments in a critical and independent manner
- Research skills
- Effective communication
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 - one core and one option module, with an 80 credit dissertation
- Summer Semester - 80 credit dissertation
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules Your core modules will cover topics such as: Archaeologies of Colonialism in the British Atlantic World Making the Nation Option modules You will choose three option modules from examples including: Heritage Principles and Concepts Medieval Settlement and Communities Researching & Analysing Historic Buildings Thinking through Material Culture Understanding & Interpreting Historic Buildings You'll also have the opportunity to choose options from our full module catalogue: Ancient Biomolecules Animal bones for Archaeologists Artefacts and Materials Analysis Becoming Human Building Conservation Projects Buildings Recording Contemporary Issues in Museums Critical Approaches to Archaeological Practice Data Science for Archaeology Death, Burial and Commemoration in the Roman World Debates in Funerary Archaeology Digital Approaches to Archaeology Digital Creativity Experimental Archaeology GIS and spatial analysis Histories of Conservation Landscape survey and geophysics Life and Death in Iron Age Britain and Ireland Mesolithic Life and Death Museums, Audiences & Interpretation Prehistoric Art: Origins and Transitions Presenting Historic Houses Project Management Roman Archaeology: Ancient pasts, current issues Roman Europe Skeletal Evidence for Health in the Past Sustainable Buildings Sustainability I Sustainability II Sustainable Conservation Challenges The Ancient Celts: Archaeology and Identity in Iron Age Europe The Archaeology of the Human Skeleton The Archaeology of Roman Religion The Viking Age: People, Places, Things Virtual Reality and 3D Modelling Zooarchaeology in Context Some option modules combinations may not be possible. The option available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. 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 a 15,000-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 Semester 2 and the Summer Semester. Examples of previous dissertations include: The legacy of lead production in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale An assessment of patterns of estate tree and woodland planting, in the nineteenth century An examination of the social relationships articulated in eighteenth century estates in Co. Cork, Ireland Picturing the Poor: the visual construction of rural poverty in the Shenandoah Valley From Garden City to Council Estate: the development of Tang Hall, York The Woolsey Trunk: nineteenth century childhood identity and the life course in Sacramento, California Landowners and industrialisation: investigating the relationship between the Duke of Bedford and the 19th century mining landscape of the Tamar Valley Gertrude Jekyll’s York designs: an examination of the relationship between the Arts and Crafts home and the landscape
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in Archaeology or a related field such as History, History of Art, Geography or English Literature. |
| Other qualifications and experience | Non-graduate applications will be considered from those with three years practical or professional experience, broadly related to the topics within historical archaeology or those disciplines listed above. Applicants are normally interviewed before an offer is made. |
| 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)