University of Aberdeen

University of Aberdeen

Master of Arts in Archaeology and History

The Master of Arts in Archaeology and History in History is offered by University of Aberdeen.

Program Length: 4 YEARS.

Master of Arts in Archaeology and History offered by the University of Aberdeen

Archaeology and History are perfectly matched subjects and ideal for students who have an interest in the past. Combining the subjects allows you to develop a far stronger understanding key areas that interest you specifically.


Archaeology is a diverse and wide-ranging discipline that spans the humanities and physical sciences and is unique in exploring the human past in its entirety. In seeking to understand how ancient people lived their lives, structured their world, and engaged with their environment, archaeologists ask the big questions that can provide us with the tools to tackle global challenges in the present.

Archaeology is a subject that actively shapes our understanding of human development through fieldwork and discovery, and a degree at Aberdeen will provide you with the skills to work in archaeology or a range of other professions. Aberdeen is set amongst some of the richest archaeological remains in the UK and opportunities will be available to experience and get involved in discovering more about this resource and our shared human past.

Aberdeen was ranked the leading University in Scotland in History for Research Impact and 2nd in the UK for Outstanding Impact after the 2013 Research Excellence Framework. These outstanding results reflect a strong commitment to research innovation.

Aberdeen historians have expertise in areas as diverse as medieval Scandinavia, early-modern Poland and modern East Asia. The department fosters individual and collaborative scholarly endeavour, and the work of its members forms four concentrations of research activity:

  • Irish and Scottish Studies
  • Scandinavian Studies
  • Late Medieval and Early Modern Studies
  • The History of Global Empires

What you'll study

Year 1

Compulsory Courses
Academic Writing for Divinity, History & Philosophy (AW1007)
Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
Archaeology in Action: an Introduction (AY1003)
Making History (HI1027)
Caves to Kingdoms: an Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology (AY1503)

Optional Courses
Select 30 credit points from Level 1 History/History of Art courses plus 45 credit points from courses of choice.

Year 2
Compulsory Courses
Prehistoric Britain: from Boxgrove to Bede (AY2009)
Test Tubes and Trowels: an Introduction to Archaeological Science (AY2006)
Past Lives (AY2508)
The Archaeology of The North: Lifeways & Cultural Change (AY2505)

Optional Courses
Select a further 60 credit points from Level 2 courses in History.

Year 3
Compulsory Courses
Professional Archaeology i: Field Methods (AY3010)
Professional Archaeology II: Post - Excavation Analysis and Employment (AY3514)
Thinking History (HI356J)

Optional Courses
NOTE: If you intend to take your dissertation in Archaeology you must take AY 3512 Archaeological Research Project Part I in level 3. Select further credit points from level 3 course(s) in Archaeology to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline, plus 30 credit points from Level 3 courses in History.

Archaeological Research Project Part i (AY3512)

Year 4
Optional Courses
Choose one of the following options:

Current Issues in Archaeology (AY4510) AND Undergraduate Dissertation in History (HI4516)
Archaeological Research Project Part II (AY4002) (with AY3512 as prerequisite) AND History in Practice II (HI4518)

Plus select one special subject from the following:

HI 4001 Special Subject: Irish Troubles
HI 4004 Special Subject: The Thirty Years War
HI 4008 Special Subject: Hitler
HI 4009 Special Subject: The Scottish Wars of Independence, 1286 - 1328
HI 4023 Special Subject: European Constitutional Monarchies in the Long 19th Century
HI 4025 Special Subject: History of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
HI 4026 Special Subject: Myths of the North
Plus select further credit points from level 4 course(s) in Archaeology to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline.



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