Archaeological Practice MSc
Course code V460
What is special about this course?
The MSc Archaeological Practice is a world-leading archaeology course which equips you with the tools for work in the real world.
The course combines an emphasis on the key practical skills essential for a career within the archaeological profession with a critical study of the advanced theoretical and methodological concepts underpinning the discipline.
We stress the acquisition of vocational skills through practical experience using as our 'laboratory' the rich archaeological resource of Orkney, home to some of the world's most renowned archaeological monuments.
Core modules will introduce you to the principles, philosophy and theory of cultural heritage management and immerse you in a suite of practical archaeological techniques including: excavation; non-intrusive field archaeology; digital means of exploring and recording archaeological materials; environmental archaeology; and post-excavation analysis.
There is flexibility to pursue an interest in period-based modules which reflect the research specialisms of the Archaeology Institute staff, or you may choose to focus entirely on our professional skills modules.
Special features
- Study in the outstanding archaeological landscape of the Orkney Islands
- Contribute to cutting-edge archaeology research at world-renowned sites including the Ness of Brodgar World Heritage site excavations
- A three-month placement module offers the opportunity to develop your professional skills and gain valuable fieldwork experience
- Flexibility is built into the course to match your personal and professional life; you can study individual modules, work towards the PgCert, PgDip, or develop your expertise to gain a full masters degree
Entry requirements
- 2:2 honours degree or above in archaeology or closely related subject, or equivalent academic or professional qualifications
- You may also be considered if you can demonstrate significant professional experience in the field of archaeology
Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scotland-domiciled and EU students)
Loans for tuition fees are available from SAAS for eligible Scotland-domiciled and EU students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.
(see fees/funding tab for more information)
Access routes
PgCert
You will study the following core modules:
- Cultural heritage management
- Professional practice
You will also study one of the following optional modules:
- Archaeology of the Highlands and Islands
- Artefacts and technology
- Environmental archaeology in the anthropocene
- Human remains in archaeology
- Vikings and Norse in the North Atlantic
PgDip
You will study the following core module:
- Practical archaeology
You will also study two of the following optional modules:
- Digital analysis in archaeology
- Early medieval archaeology
- Excavation
- Neolithic studies
- Old Norse and runology
- Practical archaeobotany
- Practical zooarchaeology
- Research and dissertation skills
- Scottish historical archaeology
- The iron age in the Atlantic world
MSc
To achieve the award of MSc Archaeological Practice you must complete a 60-credit professional placement or dissertation.
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- This course is mainly delivered in-person, on campus and via video conference tutorials with experts based at other university campuses
- You must be based at UHI Orkney in order to study this course
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You may have the opportunity to undertake an optional 8-week work placement
- There is also a significant amount of fieldwork that involves excavation, investigation and curation techniques in one of the world's best archaeological classrooms, The Orkney Islands
- You will take part in a mandatory in-person induction at UHI Orkney at the end of August before your course starts
- For more information, or if you have any questions about studying archaeology at UHI, please contact us
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 1 year @ 30 hours per week
- Part-time: 2 years @ 15 hours per week
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent on online material as well as individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Orkney - Archaeology Institute
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £584 | £610 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £1,752 | £1,830 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £3,504 | £3,660 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £5,256 | £5,490 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), studying this course on-campus, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £792 | £855 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £2,376 | £2,565 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £4,752 | £5,130 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £7,128 | £7,695 |
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic fee scholarship.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |||
| On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | With scholarship | On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | With scholarship | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,666 | £1,250 | £1,800 | £1,350 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £4,998 | £3,750 | £5,400 | £4,050 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £9,996 | £7,500 | £10,800 | £8,100 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £14,994 | £11,250 | £16,200 | £12,150 |
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying on-campus, the following fees apply:
| On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | ||
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,666 | £1,800 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £4,998 | £5,400 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £9,996 | £10,800 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £14,994 | £16,200 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying full-time can access loans up to £11,500 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £7,000 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500.
Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS. You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study.
Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.
Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.
Additional costs
There is a significant amount of fieldwork that involves excavation, investigation and curation techniques in one of the world's best archaeological classrooms, the Orkney Islands. You will be responsible for covering the costs of any travel and accommodation associated in your participation in the field trips.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed the MSc Archaeological Practice you might like to consider careers in:
- Government agencies and local authorities
- Tourism, heritage sites, national and countryside parks
- Contract units and consultancy
Can I progress into further study?
You may wish to consider further study in areas such as:
- advanced research
- vocational diplomas
- masters by research
- PhD study
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Apply for Archaeological Practice MSc
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.