MPhil in Egyptology

The MPhil in Egyptology focuses on the study of ancient Egypt combining teaching in a range of topics with a short research dissertation. The topics are taken from the archaeology, culture and history of ancient Egypt and the study of its ancient languages, including Coptic and Demotic.

Students may follow either an archaeologically or linguistically oriented pathway. The course provides students with a detailed knowledge of one or more aspects of the cultures of ancient Egypt, with a focus on historical archaeology, landscape and the built environment, art, and the language and/or literature of one or more periods of Egypt's history. With the possibility of borrowing one or two term-long module(s) from other MPhil programmes in the department, students will have the opportunity to place the specific Egyptian case in context, for example by comparing it with contemporary Mesopotamia, by learning methodologies for particular research projects, or by using it to address general and theoretical issues in the study of early societies and cultural heritage.

Learning Outcomes

The aims of the course are to:

• provide students with the opportunity to study at an advanced level substantive subjects and major debates in the field of Egyptology through lectures, seminars, and language classes; by the end of the course, students are expected to display competency in Egyptian archaeology and/or ancient languages.
• prepare students for research in the languages, history, culture and archaeology of Egypt at the doctoral level and beyond; by the end of the course, students are expected to be able to pursue independent research in this specialisation
• give students training in a range of general, transferable skills, such as writing, presentation, research design, data analysis, and formulating and analysing arguments. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to exercise these skills in independent research in historical, archaeological, literary, linguistic and cultural topics, and in any professional-level work which requires them.

Continuing

MPhil students taking the MPhil in Egyptology who wish to continue to the PhD in Archaeology are required to
achieve a mark of at least 68 overall and no less than 68 in their dissertation. They must obtain the support of an
appropriate supervisor before making an application. In some circumstances, additional academic conditions may be set to ensure appropriate skills are in place prior to admittance on the PhD programme.

Open Days

The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:

• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.

• Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.

For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.