Triangle

Research overview

This course offers the ideal preparation for a PhD in archaeological science or a career in archaeological and heritage science.

You will develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of specific areas, such as ancient materials and zooarchaeology. You can then enjoy the flexibility to follow your own specialist pathway, supported by our expert staff.

We offer a diverse range of expertise, with particular strengths including:

  • The study of archaeological materials, ancient technology and production
  • Mediterranean prehistory, in particular Greece and Italy
  • Medieval and post-medieval archaeology in Britain and north-western Europe
  • The archaeology of standing buildings

We work closely with the British Geological Survey, University Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre, and the University Museum, where you can benefit from using the specialist facilities and collections in your research.

You are also very welcome to join the activities and events held by our specialist research centres.

Course content

This course is made up of 180 credits.

Full-time students complete 180 credits in a year.

Part-time students complete 180 credits over two years. You will complete the taught component of the programme (the two core modules and one optional module, as above) in the first year of study.

You will take two Special Topic modules, one in each semester:

Two ‘Special Topic’ modules provide advanced knowledge and understanding of specific areas of archaeology. This may be by period or theme and/or archaeological science (as appropriate). The Director of Postgraduate Studies, Postgraduate Admissions Tutor and your principal supervisor will support you to choose your topics.

Topics will be taught individually or in small groups through seminars, tutorials or laboratory sessions. You will be assessed through a combination of written essays and assignments, or practical lab tests and reports, as appropriate to the subject.

You might also be taught by participation in undergraduate lectures or practicals, in addition to following a course of guided reading and study under the supervision of a member of academic staff.

Potential topics can include:

  • Aegean Prehistory
  • Ancient Glass
  • Archaeological Finds
  • Archaeological Theory
  • Castles and Great Houses
  • Commodities, Consumption and Connections
  • Greek and Roman Painting
  • Osteology
  • Heritage and the Media
  • Isotopes in Environmental Archaeology
  • Medieval and post-Medieval Britain
  • Medieval Europe and beyond
  • Rome and the Mediterranean
  • Roman Britain
  • Spartan archaeology and history
  • The Etruscans
  • The Silk Road
  • Themes in Near Eastern Prehistory

Additional topics can often be created to suit your individual needs and interests. Please contact the department before making your application to discuss your specific requirements, and the topics that might be offered in any particular year.

Each Special Topic module is worth 20 credits.

Full-time students complete a 120-credit, 25,000 word dissertation during the summer. This will include a major scientific analysis of archaeological evidence, and will be supervised by two academic members of staff with expertise in your chosen field.

Part-time students are expected to complete the 25,000 word dissertation during the second year of their study.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules.

You will choose one of the following 20-credit faculty-wide modules:

This module helps postgraduate students recognise the range of careers and opportunities that an Arts and Humanities MA/MRes can provide.

It highlights the skills and abilities present within these programmes and provides examples of the successful application of these skills. Students will explore how subjects within the arts can be ‘applied disciplines’ that serve to be impactful in wider society through research and engagement.

Through ‘live brief’ assessments, students work in groups, utilising their Arts and Humanities skill sets, to present and produce a consultancy report for a range of organisations, including SMEs/Third-sector.

This module introduces you to the wide range of interdisciplinary research happening in the Faculty of Arts. We invite you to ‘think outside the box’ in relation to your own research, while learning key research techniques and methods. The module aims to:

  • introduce the ideas, practices, complexities, and opportunities of interdisciplinary research in the arts
  • enable you to practice critical self-reflexivity about the conventions and expectations of your own disciplines in relation to those of others
  • train you in core research skills necessary for graduate-level study
  • develop your confidence in communicating research findings to non-specialist audiences

You will build on your existing research skills gained from your university career to date. Furthermore, you will develop a more nuanced understanding of your own research practice, inspiring you to explore different approaches questions. In addition, you will develop an understanding of professional practice in areas such as:

  • academic publishing
  • knowledge exchange
  • dissertation planning and writing
  • professional communication

This module is worth 20 credits.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

QualificationMRes
Degree

2:1 (or international equivalent) in archaeology

Students with other relevant qualifications (i.e. a science degree) or experience will be considered on an individual basis

QualificationMRes
Degree

2:1 (or international equivalent) in archaeology

Students with other relevant qualifications (i.e. a science degree) or experience will be considered on an individual basis

International and EU equivalents

We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.

IELTS7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
English language requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.

This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.

Applying

Our areas of teaching and research expertise include:

Prehistoric archaeology

Our members of staff research and teach in many different fields of Old World prehistory. We have particular strengths in the study of Neolithic to Iron Age societies in the Mediterranean, and Iron Age communities in Atlantic Europe and Scandinavia.

Mediterranean archaeology

You can study many different aspects of the archaeology of Mediterranean society. We have particular strengths in prehistoric Mediterranean archaeology, from prehistoric Italy (Neolithic to Iron Age), to Bronze Age Aegean (Minoan and Mycenaean archaeology) and the Early Iron Age of Greece. Specialists in this field work with landscape archaeology, burials, and material culture.

Nottingham is also the world’s centre of excellence for the study of the archaeology and history of Sparta and the Peloponnese, Greece. We also have specialists in the archaeology of the classical Mediterranean and the Roman Empire, and the period of Late Antiquity and the transition to the early medieval world.

You can study a range of different types of archaeological evidence including burials, monuments, landscapes, cities, forts and material culture.

Roman archaeology

You can study many different aspects of the archaeology of the Roman World, from the Mediterranean world and the City of Rome, to Britain and the North-Western provinces, to the Balkans and the eastern Empire.

Our teaching and research ranges from the high point of the Roman Empire in the 1st and 2nd centuries, to the transformation of the late Roman Empire and the period of Late Antiquity. Students studying the City of Rome topic (20 credits) have the opportunity to apply to spend one semester at the British School in Rome.

Medieval and post-medieval archaeology

We have staff researching and teaching in the periods of both early medieval (Anglo-Saxon and Viking) and later medieval and post-medieval (from the Norman Conquest to the Renaissance), and students can study topics across this range or choose to specialise in one period.

We also have expertise in the study of landscape and settlement archaeology, the archaeology of standing buildings, and medieval topics in bioarchaeology.

Social bioarchaeology – people, plants and animals

Our department is a recognised centre of excellence in the innovative study of social bioarchaeology and the interaction of humans, plants and animals in their wider landscape and environmental context. Staff specialise in zooarchaeology across regions and time-periods ranging from the Palaeolithic to Roman to Post-Medieval Europe.

You are provided with a practical, methodological and theoretical grounding in bioarchaeology. This allows you to develop core practical and analytical skills so you can undertake independent study of environmental evidence for your dissertation and pursue a career as a specialist in the field.

Archaeological materials

You have the opportunity to combine archaeology and science in the investigation of ancient materials and pyrotechnologies. You can study the archaeological, ethnographic and scientific aspects of materials – primarily glass – choosing to specialise in particular methods and techniques or taking a broader comparative approach.

To undertake an independent research project in archaeological materials, you will be taught core practical and analytical skills to enable you to undertake primary scientific analysis using a wide range of techniques and approaches.

Find out more

Visit the Department of Classics and Archaeology website to find out more about our research and teaching profile.

We encourage you to get in touch with a member of academic staff about your research proposal before submitting an application. They may be able to help you with your proposal and offer support to find funding opportunities in your area.

Details of our research expertise.

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

How to apply

Fees

QualificationMRes
Home / UK5,100
International21,500

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

Books

You'll be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to buy your own copies of core texts. The Blackwell's bookshop on campus offers a year-round price match against any of the main retailers (i.e. Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smith). 

Funding

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Support

Flexible study

As teaching is largely undertaken through individual tutorials or small groups, there is a great deal of flexibility to organise your time around existing commitments.

Every week you will attend lectures and participate in small group seminars. During the year, you will have regular meetings (at least 10 recorded ones) with your supervisors to discuss your dissertation.

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

  • studying
  • socialising
  • computer work
  • seminars
  • kitchen facilities

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services, including:

  • academic and disability support
  • childcare services
  • counselling service
  • faith support
  • financial support
  • mental health and wellbeing support
  • visa and immigration advice
  • welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

  • international students
  • black and minority ethnic students
  • students who identify as women
  • students with disabilities
  • LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

Archaeology MRes – Study in our dedicated labs

Take advantage of our five research laboratories, the large collection of ancient coins and the in-house Digital Transformations Hub.

Careers

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

This course will develop key transferable skills, including:

  • research
  • critical thinking and analysis
  • interpretation of evidence
  • application of theoretical and scientific principles to problems
  • communication

It is ideal preparation for a research career in archaeology, following the suggested model of one year research training plus 3-year PhD favoured by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

100% of postgraduates from the School of Classics and Archaeology secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £33,000.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

This course is specifically tailored for students who wish to combine their passion for the study of past societies with intensive scientific training. You will undertake advanced research using primary scientific analysis of environmental or material archaeological evidence, and will develop a critical appreciation of the wider scholarship, methodologies and scientific protocols in your chosen field.”
Dr Chrysanthi Gallou, Director of PG Studies

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Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

  • The Department of Classics and Archaeology was ranked 10th in the UK, and 6th for research power
  • 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
  • 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
  • 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 20 July 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.