Course description

This part-time MA by distance learning provides you with an excellent and wide-ranging course of advanced study and is particularly suitable for those already engaged with archaeology and the heritage sector, or with shared professional interests. The course offers opportunities to build on existing skills and knowledge, while developing intellectual rigour. The course is structured thematically with each module building new skills and knowledge that can then be applied to material that sparks the student’s passion and builds their existing expertise and knowledge further through the assessments.

You will critically explore how archaeologists and heritage practitioners may engage with and interpret archaeological monuments, sites and landscapes for various audiences within ‘public archaeology’, engaging with a range of heritage discourses from Europe, North America, and beyond. The role and value of archaeology in society is critically examined, alongside its intersection with politics and ethics. How do we approach different kinds of archaeology? Why do we study the past? Why do we choose certain methods when we do this? Might there be other ways?

Students of this long-established and successful MA are commonly working within the heritage sector or related disciplines, while graduates from this course have gone on to work for English Heritage/Historic England, the National and State Parks Services, Parks Canada, and similar organisations, in addition to the private sector.

• An earlier version of this course is currently available, with the last cohort of students starting in February 2025.
• We also offer a part-time MA by distance learning in Ancient History and Classical Archaeology.

Research seminars

Our weekly research seminar series is available to our MA students both on campus (if you happen to live nearby) and online for students located around the world. It allows you to engage with current research by staff from the School and by colleagues around the world.

What's the difference?

For the MA you need to complete four modules and a dissertation. For the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) you need to complete four modules. For the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) you need to complete two modules. The PGDip and PGCert are not available full-time.

Entry requirements

How does distance learning work?

Our courses are designed to work for a global audience of students who often lead busy lives. They are delivered by expert academic staff (the same people who teach our campus based courses!). You work remotely at your own pace. You will be given access to our Virtual Learning Environment where all the materials for whichever module you are currently studying will be accessible as well as a student forum with overarching information about our courses.

You start your studies in September taking one module at a time and over the course of two years you will complete your MA.

The teaching semester is divided into a series of 12 study sections. You complete 6 study sessions before working on your first assessment and then the second 6 sessions follow with your final assessment. There are no set times when you need to attend class or complete your study work except for assessment deadlines. This means you can fit your studies around your work and family life in a way that works for you whether that is studying in the evenings, at the weekend, or during the daytime. During each module you will have optional opportunities to join live chats with your module tutor and fellow students.

Each module has its own space in the Virtual Learning Environment where our staff have designed content to help you learn. This might include recorded lectures, guided readings, podcasts, discussion boards and optional live sessions: each module is different! These materials will guide you through the module content. Each module has a module co-ordinator who is responsible for the delivery of the module. You will hear from them regularly as they guide you through your learning.  You will also have access to an e-reading list where all the key sources for the module are linked. In addition, you will also have access to our university Library, which has masses of digital resources you can access online - but they will also post you physical books too. In addition, they are able to provide lots of help and support, from finding resources to improving your academic skills.