MA Archaeology
About this course
MA (Hons) in Archaeology, an archaeology degree examining the human past and material remains through multidisciplinary approaches. Core topics include Fieldwork, Human Behaviour. Students complete three weeks of archaeological fieldwork at the end of the first year. The first year covers methods of site discovery, excavation, recording and analysing artefacts, and the scientific analysis of animal and human remains. The second year examines the recolonization of Scotland after the last ice age, world heritage sites in Scotland, and the Roman advances into Scotland. The third year explores the history of archaeology, archaeological theory, and contemporary practice in the UK and beyond. Optional modules allow students to study topics such as Mesolithic and Neolithic Europe, the prehistoric Mediterranean, ancient Egypt, archaeology of human remains, archaeological illustration, conflict archaeology, ritual and monumentality, and scientific methods in bio-archaeology.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 32%: 27 offers from 85 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 83%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 69%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 15 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- London: 15%
- Scotland: 75%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 65%
- Access course: 15%
- No formal qualifications: 15%
Modules
- methods of site discovery
- excavation
- recording and analysing artefacts
- scientific analysis of animal and human remains
- recent and innovative approaches to reconstruct the life ways of past peoples
- further fieldwork
- projects in heritage management and public engagement
- lab-based analysis of archaeological remains
- the recolonization of Scotland after the last ice age
- the world heritage sites in the 'heart' of Scotland (such as Neolithic Orkney)
- the ways the environment shapes human behaviour
- the lasting impact activities like farming had on the Scottish landscape
- the Roman advances into Scotland
- Study the history of archaeology from its antiquarian beginnings in the 18th and 19th centuries and its development as an academic discipline.
- Consider the theories that archaeologists have used to understand and interpret the remains that they have found and examine how these ideas have changed over the past 150 years.
- Study the contemporary practice of archaeology in the UK and beyond. You will gain insights into the roles and activities of professional archaeologists, and the practical and transferable skills sought by employers in the cultural heritage sector.
- Mesolithic and Neolithic Europe
- the prehistoric Mediterranean
- ancient Egypt
- archaeology of human remains
- archaeological illustration
- conflict archaeology
- ritual and monumentality
- scientific methods in bio-archaeology
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Archaeology at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £19,000 after 3 years, £23,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £29,000. The £23,000 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Archaeology.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 193 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
32% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 27 offers from 85 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Archaeology at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Archaeology at University of Edinburgh?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.