Archaeological Studies MLitt
Course code V490
What is special about this course?
This course is unique in its focus on the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. It offers the opportunity to consider wider archaeological concepts and theoretical issues, utilising world-class sites in Orkney and the North Atlantic region.
The MLitt Archaeological Studies will enable you to engage critically with current themes and debates in archaeological practice, theory and method.
There are a wide range of module options which draw on the research specialisms of the Archaeology Institute staff and these provide you with the flexibility to combine taught modules and dissertation research according to your own research interests.
You can develop chronological specialisms grounded in the archaeology and heritage of the region, for example in Prehistoric Archaeology or in Celtic through to Viking/Norse and Medieval Archaeology. Or you may choose to combine period-based modules with our professional skills modules to gain a broader knowledge and understanding of the diversity of methods and theory practiced within archaeology.
Special features
- Study in the outstanding archaeological landscape of the Orkney Islands
- You will be taught by internationally recognised experts in the field and take advantage of cutting edge research, taking place at world-renowned sites including the Ness of Brodgar World Heritage site excavations
- A suite of residential and/or practical modules in excavation and post-excavation approaches is available to those who choose to study on campus
- You can also study from your own location, studying online and by video-conference, in real-time or recordings - see study mode tab for more information
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development, or work towards the PgCert, PgDip, or full Masters degree
- The course offers preparation for specialised research at PhD level
Entry requirements
- 2:2 Honours degree or above in archaeology or a relevant subject, or equivalent academic or professional qualifications
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
Students can access the programme from a range of UHI undergraduate programmes including:
PgCert
Core modules are:
- Archaeology of the Highlands and Islands
- Research and dissertation skills
You will also choose one option module listed under the PgDip.
PgDip
Option modules, from which you must choose three, may include:
- Archaeological and geophysical survey
- Art and archaeology: contemporary theory and practice
- Death and burial archaeology
- Digital heritage
- Early medieval archaeology in Scotland
- Excavation: includes a field school in the summer at a site location off-campus
- From archaeology to archaeozoology
- Iron Age Scotland in the Atlantic World
- Maritime archaeological heritage
- Neolithic studies
- Runology and Old Norse
- Scottish historical archaeology
- Vikings and Norse in the North Atlantic
MLitt
To achieve the MLitt award you must complete a research dissertation.
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- You can study this course from your own location, studying online and by video-conference, in real-time or recordings
- You will learn through a combination of video conference seminars and tutorials and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors and student advisor
- International students requiring a Student Route visa to study with us will study face-to-face on-campus at UHI Orkney and should use the UHI Orkney apply link. International students undertaking the course from their home country can study online and by video conference, in real-time or recordings
- Assessment is by a variety of methods including essays, reports, presentation, project, practical portfolio, dissertation
- For more information, or if you have any questions about studying archaeology at the University of the Highlands and Islands, please contact us at: studyarchaeology@uhi.ac.uk
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 1 year @ 35 hours per week
- Part-time: 2 years @ 17.5 hours per week
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- HTC
- Inverness
- North, West and Hebrides - Stornoway campus
- Orkney
- Perth
Start date
- September
- January (part-time study only)
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 or online from their home, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 (on-campus | 2024-25 (online) | 2025-26 (on-campus) | 2025-26 (online) | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £792 | £780 | £855 | £840 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £2,376 | £2,340 | £2,565 | £2,520 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £4,752 | £4,680 | £5,130 | £5,040 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £7,128 | £7,020 | £7,695 | £7,560 |
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. These 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.
| 2025-26 | On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | With scholarship | Online study (from home country) | With scholarship |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,800 | £1,350 | £1,200 | £900 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £5,400 | £4,050 | £3,600 | £2,700 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £10,800 | £8,100 | £7,200 | £5,400 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £16,200 | £12,150 | £10,800 | £8,100 |
| 2024-25 | On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | With scholarship | Online study (from home country) | With scholarship |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,666 | £1,250 | £1,110 | £833 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £4,998 | £3,750 | £3,330 | £2,499 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £9,996 | £7,500 | £6,660 | £4,998 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £14,994 | £11,250 | £9,990 | £7,497 |
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying on-campus or online, the following fees apply:
| Qualification | On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) | Online study (from home country) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,666 | £1,800 | £1,110 | £1,200 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £4,998 | £5,400 | £3,330 | £3,600 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £9,996 | £10,800 | £6,660 | £7,200 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £14,994 | £16,200 | £9,990 | £10,800 |
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
A suite of residential and/or practical modules in excavation and post-excavation approaches is available to those who choose to study on campus. You will be responsible for covering the costs of any travel and accommodation associated in your participation in the residential modules.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course you might wish to consider careers in the following areas:
- Professional archaeology in a variety of capacities including contract archaeology, consultancies, local authorities and museums
- Tourism, heritage sites, national and countryside parks
- Secondary school teaching on completion of a PGDE(S)
Can I progress into further study?
You may wish to consider further study such as:
- Advanced research and vocational diplomas
- PhD study
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
The Archaeology Institute combines the academic and scholarly prowess of the teaching team, who are based across the Highlands and Islands, with the professional and applied skills of the consultancy field unit, Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology (ORCA). We are the only Scottish university with an archaeology teaching department to have such a dynamic ‘in-house’ relationship with the archaeology industry. This ‘real-world’ professional insight means that added value is given to the student experience.
Martin Carruthers, Archaeology lecturer.
Apply for Archaeological Studies MLitt
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.