MPhil admissions
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Archaeology
This course provides training in research and analytical skills, a critical appreciation of archaeology, the human past, and its place in the modern world, as well as expertise in a chosen, specialist region or area. Students can specialise in any one of the following options:
- Archaeological Heritage and Museums
- Archaeological Science
- Archaeology of the Americas
- Egyptian Archaeology
- European Prehistory
- Medieval Archaeology
- Mesopotamian Archaeology
- Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Archaeology
- South Asian Archaeology
- MPhil in Archaeology (course option not initially specified)
Within this broad structure, the Department offers students great flexibility in combining modules; students may explore (for example), a region and a method, or choose a heritage emphasis. Students take three modules in a combination specific to their chosen option. Students choosing Archaeology of the Americas, Archaeology of Egypt, European Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Mesopotamian Archaeology, Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Archaeology, or South Asian Archaeology take
- the Core Archaeology course
- the appropriate area option course, and
- any other module offered by the Department of Archaeology (with the approval of the supervisor and MPhil coordinator).
The Archaeological Heritage and Museums option and the Archaeological Science option require different combinations; see the web page for each course option for further information.
All MPhil students take a Research Skills Module and write a dissertation (15,000 words maximum).
Students unsure of their interests may apply at first for the MPhil in Archaeology (course option not initially specified), but will be expected to specify one of the option choices above by 20th October. Please contact the MPhil Coordinator (through the Graduate Secretary) for further advice on option choices in advance of application.
While the range of modules taught may vary from year to year, a normal range will include these modules:
| Advanced Akkadian Language and Texts |
| Advanced Egyptian Language |
| Archaeological Science |
| Archaeology of Mesopotamia |
| Archaeology of the Americas |
| Bioarchaeology |
| Coptic |
| Core Archaeology |
| Demotic |
| Directed Readings |
| Elementary Akkadian Language and Texts |
| European Prehistory |
| Geoarchaeology |
| Historical archaeology of Ancient Egypt I |
| Historical archaeology of Ancient Egypt II |
| Introduction to Egyptian Language |
| Landscapes, Built Environment, and Material Culture of Ancient Egypt |
| Management of Archaeological Heritage |
| Material Culture |
| Medieval Europe: 11th-16th centuries AD |
| Medieval Europe: 5th-11th centuries AD |
| Mesopotamian Culture |
| Museums: History, Theory, Practice |
| Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Archaeology |
| Practical Application of Scientific Methods |
| Sociopolitics of the Past |
| South Asian Archaeology |
| Sumerian |
| Topics in Egyptology |
| Topics in Mesopotamian Archaeology |