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PhD/MA by Research Archaeology (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

By pursuing research at the Archaeology by Research (On-Campus or by Distance Learning) programme from University of Birmingham, you will be joining an active community, with work taking place around the world. You will benefit from access to our broad range of expertise and facilities.

Quick Facts

  
Duration: 1 year (MA by Research)
3 year (PhD)
Starting in: January, September
Tuition Fee: £20,820 per year full-time
£10,410 per year part-time (distance learning only)
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom / Online

Research opportunities include prehistoric, classical, historical, landscape, funerary, environmental and byzantine archaeology, as well as geographical information systems and digital archaeology.

Our research explores the earliest settlements and landscapes in regions inundated after the last ice age, through to the complex archaeology of modern industrial societies, using traditional and cutting edge techniques.

We offer two postgraduate research-only programmes, whether you are looking to complete your academic studies with a PhD or pursue your research at Masters level. Find out more about what to expect from a PhD and MA by Research.

Research Areas:

  • Byzantine, Ottoman and modern Greek studies
  • Egyptology, Cuneiform and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
  • Heritage
  • Mortuary and funerary archaeology
  • Prehistoric and early historic Europe
  • Religion and ritual
  • Urbanism and the ancient city
  • Wetland archaeology and environments of Northwest Europe

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Careers

The Archaeology by Research (On-Campus or by Distance Learning) programme from University of Birmingham will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.

The University’s Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team who offer tailored advice and a programme of College-specific careers events.

You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:

  • Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
  • Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
  • Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
  • Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV

Requirements

Our requirements for postgraduate research are dependent on the type of programme you are applying for:

  • For MRes and MA by Research programmes, entry to our programmes usually requires a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area.
  • Applicants for a PhD will also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.

Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience you may have are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements.

Learn more