Archaeology PhD/MLitt (Research)/MPhil (Research)/MRes
Archaeology at Glasgow has an active postgraduate community, carrying out research on a wide range of topics from the Mesolithic to the present day and from Northern Scandinavia to the Eastern Mediterranean.
- PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words
- MLitt (Research): 2 years full-time; 3 years part-time; Thesis of 40,000-70,000 words
- MPhil (Research): 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time; Thesis of 30,000-40,000 words
- MRes: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time; Thesis of 20,000-30,000 words
Overview
Our key strengths are:
- Scottish archaeology, particularly in the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods and the Celtic, Pictish and Viking areas
- Mediterranean archaeology, from Spain to Turkey, from Bronze Age mining to postcolonial studies
- historical archaeology, from the classical period to the 20th century
- the use of aerial photographic and satellite imagery for the understanding of landscape history through aerial archaeology
- battlefield and conflict archaeology
Postgraduate community
The postgraduates in Archaeology at Glasgow enjoy one of the university’s most supportive, collaborative and friendly communities on campus. Intellectually, it’s a very generous group, with lots of opportunities on offer to MLitt and PhD students to get involved in existing projects or start new ones together, whether in the field or the classroom, or through conferences and publications.
The best example of this is our own publication Love Archaeology Magazine, where there are ample chances for authors, researchers, editors, photographers and creative types to get involved.
Study options
PhD
- Duration: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time
- Thesis length: 70,000-100,000 words, including references, bibliography and appendices (other than documentary appendices).
A Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded to a student whose thesis is an original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in, or understanding of, a field of study and normally containing material worthy of publication.
In discussion with the supervisory team, PhDs in Archaeology may be written in thesis format or by journal format.
MLitt (Research)
- Duration: 2 years full-time; 3 years part-time
- Thesis length: 40,000-70,000 words (including references, bibliography and appendices).
Our Degree of Master of Letters (Research) requires you to undertake a postgraduate course of special study and research that represents a distinct contribution to knowledge.
MPhil (Research)
- Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
- Thesis length: 30,000-40,000 words (including references and bibliography).
A Master of Philosophy (Research) requires you to undertake a postgraduate course of special study and research that represents a distinct contribution to knowledge.
MRes
- Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
- Thesis length: 20,000-30,000 words (including references, bibliography and appendices).
Our Master of Research includes both taught and research elements. You will be required to undertake 60 to 80 credits worth of taught courses as well as independent study which represents some contribution to knowledge.
Distance Learning
It may be possible to undertake a postgraduate research degree (with the exception of MRes) in the College of Arts and Humanities by distance learning. If you wish to explore this option, you should discuss it initially with your proposed supervisor.
Entry requirements
Our regular standard of admission is usually a 2.1 honours degree. Candidates will also usually be expected to have completed or be undertaking a Master’s qualification.
Required documents
Applicants should submit:- Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificate
- CV
- Research Proposal
- Two References
- Named Supervisor Information
- If you are applying for a Distance Learning programme, please complete the Distance Learning Form
English language requirements
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
Accepted English language tests
We accept a wide range of English language tests for entry to this programme. Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date, and requirements must be met using a single test.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- We do not accept General Training
TOEFL iBT (Including MyBest and Home Edition)
Tests taken up to 20 January 2026
- 96 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 23; Writing 24
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 98 overall with no subtest less than Writing and Listening at 5 and Reading and Speaking at 4.5
Pearsons PTE Academic (test centre only)
- 70 overall with no subtest less than Reading 62; Listening 62; Speaking 75; Writing 68
- We do not accept the online PTE Academic
Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
- 185 overall, no subtest less than 176
Oxford ELLT
- 8 overall with Reading and Listening no less than 7 and Writing and Speaking no less than 8
LanguageCert Academic SELT/Academic/Academic Online
- 75 overall with two subtests at 75 and no subtest less than 70
Password Skills Plus
- 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II
- 105 overall with no subtest less than 105
Kaplan Test of English
- Any two subtests at 510 or higher, and any two subtests at 480 or higher
PSI Skills for English
- C1 Pass
Duolingo English Test
- 130 overall with Writing at 130 and no subtest less than 120
Oxford Test of English Advanced
- 146 overall with no subtest less than 136
Alternatives to English language qualification
Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- Students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within 6 years of programme start.
TNE degree for UK University taught at a campus outside of the UK.
- Students must be awarded the degree by the UK university and must have completed the degree within 6 years of programme start.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- ST Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
Fees and funding
Fees
2027/28
- UK: To be confirmed [26/27 fee was £5,238]
- International & EU: £28,275
Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.
Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.
Alumni discount
We offer a 15% tuition fee discount to eligible self-funded alumni starting a Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Masters or Postgraduate Research (PGR) programme in the 2027/28 academic year.
This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. No additional application is required.
Possible additional fees
- Re-submission by a research student £540
- Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
- Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790
Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.
- College of Arts & Humanities Graduate School funding opportunities
Support
Teaching and research in the Arts and Humanities is supported by the outstanding resources of our University Library with its special collections and our on-campus Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery.
Our close links and partnerships with Glasgow Life, and the city’s many museums, art galleries, performing arts and music venues, international festivals and creative industry organisations make the University of Glasgow the ideal place for postgraduate study of the arts.
Graduate School
Our Graduate School creates a productive and interdisciplinary collegiate environment for all of our research students. We offer a range of services, courses and skills development opportunities for research students.
The College of Arts & Humanities is home to a vibrant and diverse community of students enrolled on taught masters and research programmes within a stimulating intellectual and cultural environment. Across every school and subject area the college is home to world-leading and agenda-setting research.
Find out more about what is happening in the community by following us on social media.
You will also be part of the wider Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities, the world's first national graduate school in the Arts & Humanities. Membership includes 16 Scottish universities, four art schools & the national conservatoire, with support from the arts, culture, creative & heritage sectors.
How to apply
Identify potential supervisors
All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.
You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search.
Required documents
- Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificate
- CV
- Research Proposal
- Two References
- Named Supervisor Information
- If you are applying for a Distance Learning programme, please complete the Distance Learning Form
Contact us
- If you have any questions about your application before you apply: contact The School of Humanities at humanities-pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk
- If you have any questions after you have submitted your application: contact our Admissions team
- Any references may be submitted by email to: pg-research-admissions@glasgow.ac.uk
International Students
Induction
- Getting started with PGR development: how postgraduate researchers are welcomed into our community
