Archaeology MScR

The MSc by Research in Archaeology is aimed at students who have a specific topic of interest into which they wish to conduct their own research.

Research topics

We welcome applications from anyone keen to work in fields that overlap with or complement our academic staff interests. These include:

• human osteoarchaeology
• isotopes and science-based methods of investigation
• early civilisations and urban societies in the Mediterranean and Europe
• Egyptology
• Roman archaeology
• the Byzantine world and late antiquity
• costal and marine heritage
• megalithic monuments
• later European prehistory
• the archaeology of Scotland

Breadth of expertise

We have a wide range of expertise covering different areas, time periods and themes, including:

• Bioarchaeology and isotope studies
• Egyptology
• Roman and ‘Celtic’ archaeology
• The Byzantine World and Late Antiquity
• Megalithic monuments
• Prehistory of Europe, the Mediterranean and North-East Africa
• Early civilisations and urban societies
• The archaeology of Scotland
• Cultural heritage and sustainability
• Digital heritage and heritage policy
• Archaeomaterials analysis
• Human evolution
• Conflict archaeology
• Medieval archaeology
• Computational archaeology
• Marine and coastal archaeology
• Buildings archaeology
• Archaeological survey - Landscape Archaeology

Focal areas of research include:

• Bioarchaeology/ Human Osteoarchaeology/ Biological Anthropology
• Human–environment interactions
• The transition from hunter-gatherer to farming communities
• The development of complex societies
• Cultural heritage perspectives on the past, present, and future

Research community

The School of History, Classics & Archaeology, and our relationships with other subject areas and external organisations, such as the National Museums of Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland, allow us to arrange interdisciplinary study and supervision.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

We require the following (with further details below):

• Provisional supervision agreement between you and a primary supervisor, in writing
• Research proposal
• Qualifications at undergraduate level
• References
• Entry interview
• Evidence of English language competency

Provisional supervision agreement

You must name a member of staff who has provisionally agreed, in writing, to supervise you in order for your application to be taken forward. Please ensure that the relevant correspondence is uploaded to your admissions application. This statement of support is provisional, pending assessment of your application and your performance at an interview. If you haven't approached a member of our academic staff yet, please use the following staff list to help you find a supervisor in the subject area of your interest.

• Guidance on finding a supervisor
• List of HCA academic staff

Research proposal

You must submit a research proposal (in a Word or PDF document) demonstrating your knowledge of your field of research. This will be closely scrutinised as part of the decision making process. Guidance on writing a research proposal can be found online:

• Guidance on writing a research proposal

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, a minimum US 3.25 GPA or international equivalent, in a subject related to your programme.

We may also consider your application if you have relevant professional experience; please check with your potential supervisor before you apply.

You will need to submit your undergraduate degree certificates and transcripts in order to be considered for MSc by Research admission. For instructions on how to upload any additional documents after you have submitted your application, please follow the support guidance:

• Guidance on document uploading

References

You must submit two references with your application.

Entry interview

If you have met all of the entry requirements, you will need to attend an online interview with potential supervisors. The interview should last 20-30 minutes. Please note that an offer to study is subject to a successful interview.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Archaeology graduates can follow a variety of career options. The programme equips you to go on to advanced study, and also provides a solid foundation for a career. You will gain practical as well as academic experience, team-working and analytical skills, and will be able to work in a variety of contexts.

Examples of career paths available to archaeology graduates (although some may require additional training) include:

• higher education
• heritage management and agencies
• commercial archaeology
• teaching
• tourism industry
• broadcasting

An archaeology degree does not restrict you to a career in archaeology.