Overview

University College London (UCL) students design and implement materials characterisation projects that address key archaeological questions, while developing transferable skills in project management and data analysis.

This Archaeological Science - Technology and Materials degree bridges the gap between materials science and archaeology. Students are introduced to critical concepts of both disciplines and learn the foundations of the major instrumental techniques. By the degree's conclusion, students will have the knowledge and experience to independently design, implement, and report archaeologically meaningful materials characterisation studies.

What this course will give you

The UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest and most diverse departments of archaeology in the UK. Its specialist staff, outstanding library, and teaching/reference collections provide a stimulating environment for postgraduate study in the heart of London.

Excellent in-house laboratory facilities offer direct experience with a wide range of analytical approaches, including geochemistry, metallography, and ceramic petrography under the supervision of some of the world's leading archaeomaterials specialists. Amongst the techniques you will encounter are optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, pXRF, XRD, LIBS, and LA-ICP-MS.

Outstanding teaching/reference collections from around the world (including ceramic, glass, metal, and stone artefacts) are extensively used by MSc students. We also maintain an extensive network of connections to museums and active projects offering diverse research opportunities.

Employability

Due to an unparalleled breadth of academic expertise and laboratory facilities, our graduates develop an unusual combination of research and transferable skills, including critical thinking, team working, multimedia communication, data analysis and the use of advanced scientific instruments.
On completion of the degree, graduates should be as comfortable in a laboratory as in a museum and/or an archaeological site.
Many choose to continue on to research degrees while others choose to leverage their training in commercial archaeology or other industries requiring advanced knowledge and experience in materials characterisation.

Programme Structure

Courses included:

Geoarchaeology: Methods and Concepts
Archaeometallurgy - Mining and Extractive Metallurgy_
Archaeological Glass and Glazes
Interpreting Pottery
Archaeological Ceramic Analysis
Archaeological Data Science
Technology Within Society.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months
Part-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-28 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-26 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-08-28 00:00:00 , National

Language

English

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

London, United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Archaeology View 115 other Masters in Archaeology in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Other requirements

General requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject from a UK university
or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.
The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

33000 GBP / year

≈ 33000 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

16000 GBP / year

≈ 16000 GBP / year

Additional Details

Part-time: UK: £8,000 Overseas: £16,500

Living costs

London

United Kingdom

1137 - 2157 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Archaeological Science - Technology and Materials.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

What this course will give you

Employability

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

London

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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