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MA Mesolithic Archaeology

Shine a light on an under-explored field of research

Year of entry: 2024 (September)

Length

1 year full-time,
2 years part-time,
3 years part-time

Start date

September 2024 (semester dates)

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in the UK for archaeology

QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023

in the world for archaeology

QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023

Explore key topics such as technology, consumption practices, death and burial, plants and animals, and settlement, drawing on the research carried out in a globally renowned centre for mesolithic studies.

This course provides an important overview of the European Mesolithic, exploring the ways in which the period has been interpreted from the 19th century up to the present day. You'll have the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research on several Mesolithic excavation projects, including nearby Star Carr, site of the oldest house and oldest carpentry in Europe; Howick in Northumberland; and coastal shell middens in Europe. 

The lack of research in this area means that there is a huge amount waiting to be discovered, and you could find yourself becoming a leading specialist in the field and getting involved with pioneering projects and research. You'll even have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of experimental archaeology in our Mesolithic camp. You'll also learn about cutting-edge techniques, such as ancient DNA and stable isotope analysis and climate-change reconstruction. 

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The skills that I learned while completing the Mesolithic Studies programme have helped me exponentially. From academic writing to time management, I was able to develop many skills that have been transferable to my current employment.
Marina, MA Mesolithic Studies

Beautiful surroundings

York is the UK's archaeological capital. You'll study in King's Manor, a beautiful Medieval building in the centre of the historic city.

Feel at home

Informality is one of our distinctive qualities - the atmosphere in our department is friendly, supportive and enthusiastic. We want you to develop your potential and thrive at York.

Course content

You will study 180 credits over the duration of your course:

  • Semester 1 - one core and two option modules
  • Semester 2 - one core and one option modules with 80 credit dissertation
  • Summer Semester - 80 credit dissertation continued

Modules

Core modules

Your core modules will cover topics such as:

Option modules

You'll also study three option modules:

You'll also have the opportunity to choose options from our full module catalogue. Examples may include:

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.

Dissertation

You'll complete a 15,000-word dissertation and an assessed lecture on your research.

You will receive support, advice and guidance from your dissertation supervisor throughout your project. The range of expertise of our staff means we can provide you with guidance on a wide range of topics. You will have one-to-one meetings with supervisors across Semester 2 and the Summer Semester.

Examples of previous dissertations include:

  • Assessing the extent to which ritual behaviour towards animals can be identified from Mesolithic faunal remains
  • Demonstrating coastal identity: burials and shell middens in Mesolithic Europe
  • Coastal consumption in the Irish Mesolithic
  • An assessment of seasonality of shellfish from the site of Baylet
  • An evaluation of the exploitation of eels in Mesolithic Europe
  • Searching for Mesolithic sites in the Vale of Holderness using LiDAR data
  • The treatment of the dead in Britain, 13,000-3000 BC
  • Artefact biographies of the Star Carr barbed points

The York approach

Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an applied, systematic, in-depth understanding of essential disciplinary knowledge of the Mesolithic, and awareness of its breadth and its relevant academic, professional and socio-economic contexts
  • Engage critically with current debates and advanced scholarship in local and international research and practice within Mesolithic archaeology in order to evaluate the field of practice
  • Inform decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations by assessing and applying advanced theories and methodologies used in Mesolithic studies to diverse problems or forms of data
  • Confidently synthesise research findings and key scholarly debates, and communicate (through a variety of forms and media) to peers, public or professional audiences in such a way that demonstrates an ability to consider and adapt to their respective needs
  • Demonstrate originality in rigorous and imaginative independent inquiry, using advanced research skills, and a clear contribution to the work of a team
  • Apply theoretical interpretations and critical skills to the analysis of Mesolithic cultural and environmental evidence in order to develop better understandings of Mesolithic ways of life.
  • Demonstrate integration of interdisciplinary perspectives on the archaeological evidence for the Mesolithic in order to bring relevant approaches from other disciplines to bear on the interpretation of data

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees for 2024/25

Study modeUK (home)International and EU
Full-time (1 year) £10,590£23,900
Part-time (2 years)
This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation.
£5,295£11,950
Part-time (3 years)
This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation.
£3,530£7,967

Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.

For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.

  • UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%).
  • International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

Fees information

UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.

Additional costs

We don't anticipate there being any additional fees associated with this course. All books and resources you need will be available in the library or online and it isn't mandatory that you buy your own copies. You may wish to set aside a small budget for photocopying, depending on how you like to work.

Funding information

Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2024/25 throughout the year.

If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.

Funding opportunities

We have a variety of funding options available within the department.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

The course was split into a number of seminars that focused on specific research questions. This part of the course not only built on my previous research but also enabled me to explore areas that are often neglected. I thoroughly enjoyed the closeness of my peer group, as well as the opportunity to devote a considerable amount of time to independent research as part of a dissertation.
Harry, MA Mesolithic Studies

Teaching and assessment

You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Teaching format

You'll be taught via a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and site visits.

Teaching location

The Department of Archaeology is based in King's Manor, in York city centre. Your teaching will take place across King's Manor and Campus West, depending on your chosen option modules.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.

Assessment and feedback

You will be assessed by a variety of methods. Depending on which modules you opt to take, these could include: 

  • Essays
  • Oral presentations
  • Report writing
  • Dissertation
  • Alternative assessment methods such as film-making, blogging or posters

Careers and skills

Many course graduates go on to further specialist research at PhD level, many of which have been funded, and then pursue careers in academia. Others have gone into a range of careers, from teaching and digital archiving to commercial archaeology work and wilderness training. You'll also develop transferable skills that are applicable to a multitude of careers beyond archaeology and heritage.

Career opportunities

  • Archaeologist
  • Archaeologist consultant
  • Academic researcher
  • Museum/gallery exhibitions officer
  • Archivist
  • Records manager

Transferable skills

  • Time management
  • Handling and management of diverse data sets
  • Producing syntheses of data
  • Being able to critically evaluate the work of others and yourself
  • Discussing ideas and interpretations within a group setting
  • Communicate in verbal and written forms to a professional, academic standard
I am currently a Teaching Fellow at the University of Leicester, and an Honorary Research Associate at the University of York. The MA in Mesolithic Studies helped to set many wheels in motion which are still pushing me forward with my career today; such as key skills, contacts and experiences which I have built on in the subsequent course of my PhD and postdoctoral employment.
Ben, MA Mesolithic Studies

Entry requirements

Typical offer
Undergraduate degree 2:1 or equivalent in Archaeology, Anthropology, Biology or related fields.
Other qualifications and experience Mature students or those with less conventional qualifications but with relevant work experience will also be considered. If you are uncertain whether your qualifications or experience are appropriate, please contact the Course Director for more information.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Additional requirements

You will need to submit examples of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic and Indicator) 6.5, minimum 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in all other components
Cambridge CEFR B2 First: 176, with a minimum of 176 in Writing and no less than 169 in all other components
Oxford ELLT 7, minimum of 7 in writing and no less than 6 in all other components
Duolingo 120, minimum 120 in production and 105 in all other components
LanguageCert SELT B2 with 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic 70 with a minimum of 70 in Writing and no less than 65 in all other components
KITE 459-494, with 459-494 in writing and 426-458 in all other components
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Merit in writing and Pass with Merit in all other components
PTE Academic 61, minimum 61 in Writing and 55 in all other components
TOEFL 87, minimum 23 in Writing and 21 in all other components
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components

For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.

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Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Postgraduate Student Services Team
Dr Jess Bates, Course Director

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Department of Archaeology

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