Archaeology (Taught)

Our flexible MA Archaeology course prepares you for a career in research, the commercial sector or heritage management.

Study at the UK's top university for archaeological research

The University is in the top 50 in the world for Archaeology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025, Archaeology. The University of Reading is ranked 49th in the world).

The University of Reading is ranked 1st in the UK for research quality and research outputs in Archaeology (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework, 2021).

What you'll study

This course allows you to discover archaeology for the first time, or deepen your existing knowledge. You'll gain an effective grounding in archaeological practice and research.

Choose from a variety of options, including:

• specialisms from the palaeolithic to medieval period

• theoretical approaches and contemporary challenges

• heritage practice

• professional placements

• integrated social and scientific approaches

• post-excavation and graphics skills.

For more information, please visit our programme page: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/archaeology-pg/ma-archaeology