Unearth new answers to age-old questions
2018/19 entry
1 year full-time,
2 years part-time,
3 years part-time
September 2018 (term dates)
Chat with staff and students to find out more about postgraduate study at York.
Register nowMaterial culture tells the story of people and their things: allowing us insights into the significance that objects held for people in the past.
Interweaving practical and theoretical approaches to material culture, this course explores ethnoarchaeological and experimental archaeological approaches to objects, alongside functional analyses of a broad range of artefact types.
You will discover the theories underpinning our understanding of the material world while developing invaluable practical skills: from designing and executing your own experimental archaeology project, the analysis of microscopic wear and residue traces, working with objects from excavations and museum collections, to making a short documentary film for the heritage sector.
Whatever your period of interest is, this course will equip you with the skills and experience you need to begin a career in cultural heritage, academia, or commercial archaeology.
This course is also available as an MA Material Culture and Experimental Archaeology
A very enjoyable module. It challenges your preconceptions about replicating artifacts from natural materials and you'll leave with a newfound respect for prehistoric peoples and their skills. From the outdoor lab to the enthusiastic staff you'll learn more than you ever could from simply reading about archaeology.Andrew, student on Experimental Archaeology Research and Design module (2017/18)
The York Experimental Archaeological Research (YEAR) centre, where you'll complete much of your practical work, is increasingly being recognised as a world-leader in experimental research. With our (BioArCh) and palaeocology (PalaeoHub) laboratories located nearby, you'll be able to carry out outdoor experiments then take your work inside for processing and analyses .
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.
The course consists of:
You'll also complete an Essential Skills module, which will prepare you for your dissertation (this module counts towards your dissertation credits). Your dissertation topic will determine whether you are awarded an MA or an MSc.
Ethnoarchaeology (20 credits) provides both a theoretical and practical introduction to the ethnographic study of people for archaeological purposes. You'll learn how ethnoarchaeology can help archaeologists to understand the past, working through different areas of study: discard patterns, hunter-gatherer archaeology, craft production and consumption, the use of space in houses and settlements, and engagement with the material world.
Experimental Archaeology in Context (20 credits) enables you to acquire the theoretical skills required to engage and reflect critically on your own experimental research aims and objectives. You'll consider theoretical and ethical aspects of EA research, the differences between reenactment and EA, how EA can be employed to reconstruct artefact and house biographies, as well as the use of digital imaging and media as analytical tools and important forms of dissemination.
Experimental Archaeology Design and Practice (5 credits) equips you with the practical skills required to design, conduct and critique experiments related to material culture. You'll get hands-on practical experience outdoors, fireside, at the YEAR Centre. Within your team you'll produce a short documentary film based on your experimental research, which will be exhibited at the end of the course, providing excellent experience for future careers in the heritage sector.
Material Culture Theory in Practice (5 credits) prepares you for working with objects in many different contexts. It provides a background in both practical and theoretical aspects of object studies. Each session will focus on a type of material, and a particular area of theory about interpreting the material world.
You'll be able to choose modules from all of the options available to postgraduate students, as long as they don't clash in your timetable and the module isn't oversubscribed.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
You'll carry out a piece of original independent research using appropriate scientific or laboratory (MSc) or disciplinary (MA) skills.
You'll have regular meetings with your supervisor who is there to offer support, guidance and encouragement throughout the dissertation writing process.
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. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
We're an internationally-renowned centre for prehistoric, Medieval and post-Medieval studies.
You'll be part of our community of postgraduates and staff, as well as a wider network of museum professionals, field units such as the York Archaeological Trust, and national bodies such as the Council for British Archaeology, Historic England, English Heritage and the Archaeology Data Service.
We're recognised worldwide for our research and excellence in teaching - we're ranked 11th in the World University Rankings for Archaeology.
| Study mode | UK/EU | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £7,580 | £16,780 |
| Part-time (3 years) Fees for subsequent years are subject to confirmation. | £2,527 year 1 fee | £5,593 year 1 fee |
| Part-time (2 years) Fees for subsequent years are subject to confirmation. | £3,790 year 1 fee | £8,390 year 1 fee |
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. Fees for subsequent years are subject to increase (no more than 2% each year).
UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK/EU or international student.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
The Department of Archaeology offer a number of scholarships for postgraduate students. Find details of postgraduate funding.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers accommodation costs and estimated social costs.
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. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
The core modules involve outdoor practical sessions, field trips, practical labs using microscopes and the handling of reference collections, as well as small seminars, roundtable discussions and lectures.
Facilities for material culture research, including microscopy, are currently being built within the Department of Archaeology's new PaleoHub building, located a stone's throw away from our bioarchaeology laboratories (BioArCh) and the outdoor experimental centre (YEAR). These new material culture facilities are expected to be completed by the 2018/19 academic year.
The Department of Archaeology is located in King's Manor in the city centre. The BioArCh and YEAR centre are based in the Environment Building on Campus West.
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.
You'll be assessed via a number of methods, including essays, oral presentations, the production of a short documentary, report writing and your dissertation.
This course will equip you for a number of careers in a diverse range of sectors, including the heritage sector, commercial archaeology, film, television and journalism. It will also give you a solid foundation for further study and research within academia.
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| Degree | A good honours degree (upper second or first class) in archaeology, anthropology or a related field (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution). Alternative qualifications, and professional experience will also be considered. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
You can apply and send all your documentation electronically through our online system. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to deluxe.
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