Course Details

Research Degrees

Students wishing to undertake substantial, independent research of their own leading to a doctoral (DPhil) or (more rarely) a MLitt thesis are normally admitted as Probationer Research Students. Although they may attend lectures, no formal course of instruction is offered. Instead, students are guided in their research by supervisors appointed by the Committee for the School of Archaeology. Students normally have their progress formally assessed by two assessors within three terms of their arrival. This allows them to 'transfer status' to that of a doctoral student. A further assessment ('confirmation of status') is held before submission of the thesis, which is normally expected to take place within three years of initial registration as a research student.

Successful doctoral theses must, among other things, display evidence of substantial and original research, lucid and scholarly presentation and a sound knowledge of the general field within which the thesis falls. There is a maximum word length of 80,000 words. A successful MLitt thesis has a maximum word count of 60,000 words and the requirements of originality and substantiveness are correspondingly less. MLitt students must keep residence and pay fees for six terms (two years), DPhil students for nine terms (three years).

Taught Master's Degrees

The school offers six masters degrees in Archaeology:

Area	One year courses		Two year courses
Archaeology	MSt		MPhil
Classical Archaeology	MSt		MPhil
Archaeological Science	MSt	MSc

The MSt and MPhil in Archaeology allow you to follow a number of different strands, or to put together a programme which suits your particular needs. The masters courses in Classical Archaeology and Archaeological Science are more closely focussed on these particular areas of the subject.

The MSt and MSc courses cover one academic year. The MPhil courses involve a greater degree of student-led research, especially in the second year, and are also well-suited to students from countries where two-year masters courses are the norm.

Teaching and supervision of MSc, MSt and MPhil students is provided by the members of the School of Archaeology and by other Senior Members of the University.

MSt and MPhil courses in Archaeology and Classical Archaeology

In each case, the MSt course and the first year of the MPhil are identical, and the examination is also the same. Candidates are required to choose three subjects from a wide range, that also permits them to study subjects chosen from one of the other courses or special topics not normally available (provided that relevant teaching resources exist). Our aim is to offer candidates maximum flexibility in constructing their own programme of study. One paper has to be examined by an unseen three hour written examination, but the others are either assessed by two pairs of 5000 word essays or by one pair of 5000 word essays and a 10,000 word dissertation.

Candidates who pass their first year examinations either receive the MSt degree or qualify for admission to the second year of the MPhil course. In this, they are required to write a thesis (of up to 25,000 words) and to select one further subject for examination (by unseen written paper or by a pair of 5000 word essays).

Please see further details on the Archaeology and Classical Archaeology courses.

MSt and MSc in Archaeological Science

These courses provides a broad introductory education for those with a first degree in archaeology wishing to apply science-based research methods, or for those with a first degree in a science subject wishing to learn about specifically archaeological issues amenable to scientific methods.

Both the MSt (a nine-month degree) and the MSc (a twelve-month degree) are examined by two written papers and by either a 10,000 word essay or a pair of 5000 word essays. Candidates for the MSt must also write a 5000 word report on a practical project.

Those studying the MSc instead write a usually laboratory-based dissertation of 15-20,000 words after their written examinations, which must be completed by mid-September. Applicants should be aware that one or two Edward Hall Memorial Awards are available to help fund outstanding candidates on this course.

Please see further details.

Courses that are not the responsibility of the School of Archaeology

Prospective students interested in applying for the MSc in Professional Archaeology, the MSc in Applied Landscape Archaeology or the part-time DPhil in Archaeology, should consult the Department of Continuing Education, which has responsibility for these degrees.