Prestigious Scottish Funding Council Awards are available to high calibre applicants for this programme. The SFC has selected this programme in recognition of the high demand for students with these qualifications. The awards cover all tuition costs; for further information, please see: funded places.

Material culture and artefact studies combines the archaeological recovery and specialist examination of an object with its presentation, management and understanding within a cultural context.

Programme overview

• MLitt: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
• PgDip 9 months full-time; 18 months part-time

The taught component consists of core courses and optional courses, running over the first two semesters.

Assessment is normally focused on written performance, but oral presentation skills and other modes of assessment allow you to develop your writing skills in a number of formats. This is in addition to the practical emphasis on developing your ability to interpret and analyse artefacts.

For the MLitt you can opt to do either a dissertation or an extended work placement (assessed by student diary, portfolio and either a research report or a student exhibition design).

Core courses

• Material culture in context
• The process of artefact studies.

Optional courses include such topics as

• Lithic analysis
• Working with pottery 
• Critical themes in the display and reception of objects
• Early medieval artefacts 
• Viking and late Norse artefacts (AD 750-1350). 
• Optional courses drawn from another archaeology programme or from other programmes across the University can be taken by agreement with the programme convener.

Career prospects

At MLitt level, the two strands to the course enable you to prepare for further doctoral research whilst also providing opportunities for valuable vocational experience in a commercial environment.

Academic entry requirements

The entry requirement for this postgraduate taught programme is a 2.1 Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification in Archaeology or another relevant subject (for example Geography, Geology, History or Environmental Science); or suitable practical experience.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.5
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 24
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 68; minimum 60 in writing

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Please note: applications for SFC funded places are open for entry in September 2013.

Apply now

For 2013-14

MLitt

PgDip