Archaeological Practice MSc

Course code V460

What is special about this course?

The MSc Archaeological Practice is a world-leading archaeology course which equips you with the tools for work in the real world.

The course combines an emphasis on the key practical skills essential for a career within the archaeological profession with a critical study of the advanced theoretical and methodological concepts underpinning the discipline.

We stress the acquisition of vocational skills through practical experience using as our 'laboratory' the rich archaeological resource of Orkney, home to some of the world's most renowned archaeological monuments.

Core modules will introduce you to the principles, philosophy and theory of cultural heritage management and immerse you in a suite of practical archaeological techniques including: excavation; non-intrusive field archaeology; digital means of exploring and recording archaeological materials; environmental archaeology; and post-excavation analysis.

There is flexibility to pursue an interest in period-based modules which reflect the research specialisms of the Archaeology Institute staff, or you may choose to focus entirely on our professional skills modules.

Special features

  • Study in the outstanding archaeological landscape of the Orkney Islands
  • Contribute to cutting-edge archaeology research at world-renowned sites including the Ness of Brodgar World Heritage site excavations
  • A three-month placement module offers the opportunity to develop your professional skills and gain valuable fieldwork experience
  • Flexibility is built into the course to match your personal and professional life; you can study individual modules, work towards the PgDip, or develop your expertise to gain a full masters degree

Entry requirements

  • 2:2 honours degree or above in archaeology or closely related subject, or equivalent academic or professional qualifications
  • You may also be considered if you can demonstrate significant professional experience in the field of archaeology

Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scotland-domiciled and EU students)

Loans for tuition fees are available from SAAS for eligible Scotland-domiciled and EU students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.

(see fees/funding tab for more information)

Access routes

PgDip

Core modules are:

  • Cultural heritage management
  • Practical archaeology

You will also choose four option modules which may include:

  • Death and burial archaeology
  • Vikings and Norse in the North Atlantic
  • Neolithic studies
  • From Vikings to VE Day: Scottish Medieval and later society
  • Iron Age Scotland in the Atlantic World
  • Archaeological and geophysical survey
  • Maritime archaeological heritage
  • Digital analysis
  • Sustainability past and present
  • Excavation: includes a field school in the summer at a site location off-campus
  • Art and archaeology: contemporary theory and practice
  • Geoarchaeology of the North Atlantic
  • Archaeobotany to archaeozoology

MSc

To achieve the award of MSc Archaeological Practice you must complete a 60 credit professional placement or dissertation.

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)

 

  • You will learn through face-to-face lectures and tutorials at UHI Orkney and video conference tutorials with experts based at other university campuses, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE).
  • There is also a significant amount of fieldwork that involves excavation, investigation and curation techniques in one of the world's best archaeological classrooms, The Orkney Islands.
  • International students requiring a Student Route visa to study with us must be based at UHI Orkney during their studies
  • For more information, or if you have any questions about studying archaeology at the University of the Highlands and Islands, please contact us at: studyarchaeology@uhi.ac.uk.

 

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 1 year
  • Part-time (structured): 2 years

 

 

Where can I study my course?

  • Orkney - Archaeology Institute

Start date

  • September

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
  2023-24 2024-25
Per module (20 credits) £584 £584
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £1,752 £1,752
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) £3,504 £3,504
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) £5,256 £5,256

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), studying this course on-campus, the following fees apply:

  2023-24 2024-25
Per module (20 credits) £720 £792
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £2,160 £2,376
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) £4,320 £4,752
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) £6,480 £7,128

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic fee scholarship.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

  2023-24   2024-25  
  On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) With scholarship On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) With scholarship
Per module (20 credits) £1,600 £1,200 £1,666 £1,250
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £4,800 £3,600 £4,998 £3,750
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) £9,600 £7,200 £9,996 £7,500
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) £14,400 £10,800 £14,994 £11,250

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying on-campus, the following fees apply:

  On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland)
  2023-24 2024-25
Per module (20 credits) £1,600 £1,666
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £4,800 £4,998
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) £9,600 £9,996
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) £14,400 £14,994

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying full-time can access loans up to £11,500 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £7,000 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500. 

Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS.  You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study. 

Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.

Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.

Additional costs

There is a significant amount of fieldwork that involves excavation, investigation and curation techniques in one of the world's best archaeological classrooms, the Orkney Islands. You will be responsible for covering the costs of any travel and accommodation associated in your participation in the field trips.

What can I do on completion of my course?

  • Government agencies and local authorities
  • Tourism, heritage sites, national and countryside parks
  • Contract units and consultancy

Can I progress into further study?

You may wish to consider further study in areas such as: advanced research; vocational diplomas; masters by research; and PhD study.

Is there more information available online?

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I graduated with a first-class honours in Archaeology in October 2019, by which time I had taken a huge leap of faith and moved my family to Orkney to undertake the MSc in Archaeological Practice at UHI Orkney. Unfortunately, as with everyone else in the world, Covid-19 has had an impact my plans, however I’m close to finishing my dissertation and am on track for a distinction. The kids have settled really well and everyone agrees it was the best decision we could have made.

Studying with this university was the best thing I’ve ever done. The online facilities which make a wide variety of courses available to people in rural areas, allowed me to discover a subject I love, and the fantastic staff supported me throughout. It gave me confidence in my own abilities and the opportunity to change the lives of our family undoubtedly for the better. 

I’d absolutely urge anyone thinking about studying to go for it. I can’t tell you it’s easy, but it’s definitely worthwhile. 

Mandy Dailly graduated with a first-class honours in Archaeology from UHI West Highland in October 2019 before progressing onto the MSc in Archaeological Practice at UHI Orkney.

I was attracted to this course because of the flexibility to choose modules tailored to your own interests. A big bonus was the amount of archaeology present in Orkney and how archaeological sites are integrated into the course structure through surveys, excavations and desktop work.

I’m hoping that the practical experience I have gained will stand me in good stead to follow a career in archaeology within the commercial sector. I love the real sense of community around the university; the lecturers just want the students to succeed and are always on hand to impart their knowledge and life experiences.

Ross Drummond is studying on our MSc Archaeological Practice at UHI Orkney.

I feel very honoured to have been selected from all the potential candidates for this PhD scholarship from the Carnegie Trust. I was unaware that I am the first student from the University of the Highlands and Islands to achieve this and realise that, firstly, I must thank all the lecturers and staff who have supported me throughout and, secondly, seize this opportunity to undertake this research and fulfil a lifelong dream.

Stephen Worth graduated from our BA (Hons) Archaeology and MSc Archaeological Practice courses before undertaking his PhD. His scholarship will help cover his fees and research expenses for three years. He is undertaking research into the fate of farms which were set up on marginal land after the Highland Clearances.

Apply for Archaeological Practice MSc

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2024

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.