Mediterranean Archaeology MSc

The area around the Mediterranean presents many opportunities for archaeological research. This MSc allows you to explore the region through the examination of periods, geographical areas and themes.

You will:

• analyse contemporary theoretical approaches
• hone your skills in current methodologies
• take advantage of the specialist fields and periods of study that our staff, and those in history and classics, can offer

What will I learn?

You will develop an understanding of:

• specific regions and periods
• current theories, methodologies and major research issues

This will provide the basis for a PhD or future participation in excavation, survey or lab work.

Resources and expertise

Edinburgh is ideal for archaeological study and research.

You will benefit from national and local institutions and heritage agencies, such as the:

• excellent collections of the National Museum
• archival and bibliographic resources of Historic Environment Scotland
• expertise and practical advice from staff in commercial companies

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

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.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, a minimum US 3.25 GPA or international equivalent, in a subject related to this programme, preferably Archaeology or Classical Archaeology, or another degree or combined degree in which archaeology figures prominently (such as Anthropology in the case of applicants from the USA).

We will also consider honours degrees in some other subjects such as History, Classics or Ancient History if your personal statement demonstrates how you are equipped to undertake the programme.

Relevant experience, or professional or other qualifications will also be considered.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

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

This programme equips you to go on to advanced study and provides a solid foundation for a career.

You will:

• gain practical as well as academic experience
• improve your teamworking and analytical skills
• 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
• police

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