Archaeology and Heritage (Taught)

This MA Archaeology and Heritage offers you hands-on training grounded in global case studies, rigorous methodologies and interdisciplinary theories. Delivered by leading researchers in archaeology and heritage, its teaching draws directly on ethical and inclusive research and work practices in archaeology and heritage studies.

Why choose this course?

• This course is ideal if you are fascinated by archaeology, heritage and people’s engagement with their past. It will develop your knowledge, experience and professional networks in the heritage sector, and help you prepare for a career in archaeology, museology, education or heritage management.

• You will have the opportunity to undertake an archaeological field school in London, taught in conjunction with Museum of London Archaeology, and apply for a work placement in one of London's thriving museums, galleries or archives.

• As well as being able to design your own research project, you will join a thriving community of archaeologists and heritage professionals in the Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies.

What you will learn

Archaeology and heritage are products of their social, political and historical contexts, and studying them is as much about the present and future as it is about the past.

This course introduces you to critical approaches in archaeology and heritage studies by addressing the perceived divide between theory and practice in archaeological fieldwork and cultural resource management. Its aim is to produce a new kind of professional in this area: one who is theoretically aware but also grounded in the craft of archaeology and heritage.

You will delve into the critical, integrated study of landscape, architecture and material culture, and their relationship with communities and the environment. You will also gain the skills to design, research and write a dissertation on a specialist subject.

How you will learn

This course is available to study full- or part-time. Most modules are taught via evening seminars, but there is also the opportunity to undertake archaeological fieldwork, museum work placements or daytime intensive modules, for example exploring the presence of the Roman Empire in key London museums.

You will begin with a compulsory module on critical approaches to archaeology and heritage and then select from option modules which draw on a broad range of research conducted by scholars in our School of Historical Studies.

Highlights

• Applicants to this course are able to apply for Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies scholarships, in addition to other postgraduate funding including our prestigious Eric Hobsbawm Scholarships.

• Birkbeck was ranked in the top eight universities in the UK for its History research in the most recent 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

• Our School of Historical Studies is home to thriving student societies and affiliated research centres that run seminars, conferences and other events where some of the world's best scholars present their research.

• We are also at the heart of academic London with access to world-class research resources such as the British Museum, British Library, Institute of Historical Research and Museum of London.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this course you will have gained an array of transferable skills, including:

• teamwork

• oral and written communication skills

• research skills

• evaluating and assessing information

• the ability to present yourself and an argument

• the ability to look beyond Eurocentrism and include alternative understandings and experiences of the past

• how to critically engage with a variety of sources.

You may find employment as:

• an archaeologist

• a researcher/social researcher

• a heritage manager

• a conservation officer.