MSc Heritage and Archaeology

Here at the RAU we are always looking for ways to better support our students. We recognise that a number of our students may be working or have caring responsibilities alongside studying which can sometimes make it difficult to attend every teaching session in person. As such we have the ability for you to join lectures and seminars through an alternative digital format in prior discussion with your programme leader. Please note that for international students on a student visa you are expected to attend your classes in person. Remote delivery is not an UKVI authorised mode of attendance for the taught element of your course and therefore non-attendance would affect your student visa.

All sessions are offered in a hybrid format and you can choose whether to attend any session in-person or to participate remotely, as best suits your needs. We do recommend that you attend field trips in-person to get the most from your experience. All in-class sessions are recorded live and made available to students who prefer to access the sessions asynchronously.* The teaching sessions are timetabled on Thursdays and Fridays, with each module being taught 10:00-12:00 and then 13:00-15:00/16:00 on the same day, each week, for the full year (both semesters). This allows you to fulfil other commitments you may have, such as work, family and interests. Full-time students study on both days, with part-time students on just one.

Our sessions are built around exercises to support and scaffold the learning process, and to provide valuable opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. Material is taught in workshop format combining formal elements, such as lectures, with more hands-on exploratory or consolidatory exercises, for example discussions, ‘live’ group research to explore or apply a particular concept, group-critique sessions, supported writing exercises, and problem-based learning.

*Visa students will need to attend all sessions in person due to UKVI visa requirements.

Course structure

The programme consists of four taught modules and a dissertation project. 

The taught modules include three which are a compulsory core and four selected from a further four options. Assessments are very varied but all involve different forms of course work.

In addition to the taught modules you will produce an academic dissertation focusing on a particular research topic of interest to you. Your dissertation allows you to showcase the skills acquired and can provide springboard to further research or employment.

If you are interested in studying this subject but cannot commit to the full MSc programme it is also possible to study for a Certificate or Diploma in the subject.

What is a Postgraduate Certificate?

The PGCert - or Postgraduate Certificate - is the shortest of our Masters level offerings, which is completed by studying four modules (60 credits). It allows you to study a specific area of the course in depth but takes less time to complete than the MSc or PGDip.

The PGCert is a great way of fitting postgraduate study around a busy life. Full-time students can complete the course in as little as one year. Part-time students can choose to spread the course up to two years, giving you lots of time for thinking and writing between modules. It is ideal if you want to study a specific subject but would rather not commit to a full MSc with its attendant time and financial costs.

It can be a great way into a career in a new industry but if you desire to continue your studies, PGCert credits can be used to contribute towards a PGDip or even an MSc qualification later down the line. Completing studies using this route is often likened to building blocks – one step at a time – the first step being a PGCert.

Please note that this type of study participation is only available to registered UK based students due to UKVI visa restrictions.

What is a Postgraduate Diploma?

The PGDip - or Postgraduate Diploma – is a Masters level course that sits between the PGCert and the full MSc. It allows you to study a subject in depth but without undertaking the Dissertation element. Consequently, it takes substantially less time to complete than the MSc, while still covering the same taught elements. To complete this qualification, you will take eight modules (120 credits).

Full-time students can complete the course in as little as two semesters (one year). Part-time students can choose to spread the course over up to two years, giving you lots of time for thinking and writing between modules. It is ideal for students who want to study a specific subject but would rather not commit to a full MSc with its attendant time and financial costs.

The PGDip can be a great way to boost your career, or enter a new industry. We recognise that life can be unpredictable so the PGDip is built to be as flexible as possible. Should you desire to continue your studies, PGDip credits can be used to contribute towards an MSc qualification later down the line. Conversely, if you need to cut your studies short for any reason, it is also possible to convert the PGDip to a PGCert after the completion of four modules.

Please note, Visa students must be full-time (a min of 15 hours per week) and will need to attend all sessions in person due to UKVI visa requirements.

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

The in-person teaching sessions are timetabled on Thursdays and Fridays, with each module being taught 10:00-12:00 and then 13:00-15:00/16:00 on the same day, each week, for the full year (both semesters).  This allows you to fulfil other commitments you may have, such as work, family and interests. Full-time students study on both days, with part-time students on just one.

Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and societies activities.

Modules

• 4700 Dissertation: Undertake an independent research project with guidance from a supervisor
• 4737 The Past in Principles and Practice: Gain a solid grounding in how the cultural heritage sector operates covering areas from archaeology to listed buildings and museums, collections, landscapes and legal protections
• 4765 Specialist Project by Practice or Research (optional): Learn the fundamentals of research design, methodologies and project management and receive group and one-to-one support for an individual piece of research, practice or project work

Plus your choice of at least one from:

• 4733 Understanding Buildings and Landscapes: Understand the form and function of historic buildings and how they are impacted by local landscape and geology
• 4736 Heritage Interpretation: Evaluate the concepts of heritage and cultural heritage and the many settings and multiple ways in which they are employed
• 4761 Practical Conservation, Retrofitting and Sustainability: Demonstrate a knowledge of practical building conservation methods & skills and assess their suitability for the repair and alteration of historic buildings and structures

Plus your choice of at least one from:

• 4729 Landscape Archaeology: Examine the historical context and chronological frameworks of a range of historic landscapes
• 4731 Evacuation and Post Excavation: ​Understand the excavation process, from written statements of investigation, decisions on trench design and recovery methods, stratigraphic excavation methods and contexts identification, as well as management issues around health and safety, risk assessment

* Optional additions to the course will incur additional charges

Disclaimer information

The University has established various rules and regulations that you must agree to and follow if you accept an offer to study with us. View our full disclaimer notice.

This programme is designed with Shortage Occupations in heritage and archaeology in mind and will equip you for specialist, managerial and consultancy roles, much sought after within the sector.

The completion of live projects as assessment ensures that you will leave with a recent and relevant portfolio of work to demonstrate your professional competency, ability to complete complex projects and manage stakeholder engagements. Through these projects, you will also have developed a useful professional network on which to draw for help, advice and career opportunities. 

It also provides an excellent grounding for further academic study, for example at PhD level.

"I aspire to pursue a career in Archaeology or Heritage, and I have found the Cultural Heritage Institute to be an excellent resource for acquiring the essential skills and knowledge required for this field."

Maximus Maillard, Student

We welcome applications from applicants with non-standard qualifications who are able to demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills developed in the workplace or elsewhere and which are relevant to the programme of study. Applicants will need to use their personal statement to provide further details supported by a CV. All non-standard applications will be considered by the Programme Manager on a case-by-case basis and applicants can expect that an interview may be required as part of the admissions process.

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our English language requirements for the level of study. For postgraduate taught programmes this is IELTS Academic min. overall 6.5 with no element below 5.5 (or equivalent). English language tests usually have a validity of 2 years from the date the test is taken.

Offers will typically be made in line with the academic requirements set out above. Offers can be conditional or unconditional. An unconditional offer will be made to applicants who have already met the conditions and provided evidence that conditions have been met. Where academic or language requirements have not yet been fulfilled, applicants will receive a conditional offer stating the requirements that must be met. 

2024-25 Applicants (including January 2025)

For the academic year 2024-25 the tuition fees for this course are:  

For the academic year 2024-25 the tuition fees for the PGDip are:  

For the academic year 2024-25 the tuition fees for the PGCert are:  

2025-26 Applicants

For the academic year 2025-26 the tuition fees for the MSc are:  

For the academic year 2025-26 the tuition fees for the PGDip are:  

For the academic year 2025-26 the tuition fees for the PGCert are:  

Please note: International students can study on a part-time basis only if they are in the UK with a different type of visa (other than Student Visa/Tier 4 General) that allows them to undertake part-time study and their visa does not expire prior to the end date of the proposed course of study.

There are no additional fees for any activity conducted during the teaching days. Expenses (travel and admission) incurred during self-directed visits will however fall to the student – all activities are structured so they can be undertaken at any heritage location near to the student and either free or at minimum cost.

Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk before you apply to confirm your eligibility.

Tuition fees may be subject to an inflationary increase each year as set out in our Access and Participation Plan 2019/20.

For full details, please visit the fees and funding webpage.