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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

All MPhil students in the Department of Archaeology take a Research Skills module and write a dissertation. Students taking the MPhil in Heritage Studies will be required to take two core modules, Socio-politics of the Past and Heritage Management. A third two-term module or 2 one-term modules can be chosen from any offered in the Department of Archaeology. Average class hours are variable depending on the choice of modules.

One to one supervision

Supervisions with module coordinators or their regular supervisor give the student the opportunity to discuss general and specific issues regarding the course. A supervisor, often but not necessarily the same one, will also be appointed for the dissertation, to help with the choice of topic and monitor the progress of the student’s research for the dissertation throughout the year. Supervisions provide the student with an opportunity to seek academic information and advice and they provide a forum to monitor the student's progress.

Students can normally expect to have around 6-8 supervision sessions per year depending on the nature of
their course and dissertation.

Seminars & classes

Seminars are designed to provide students with intensive engagement with academic staff across a wide range of specialisms relevant to the courses selected. Seminars are designed to be interactive and preparation and participation in seminars are expected of all students. In all taught modules, students may be required to give seminar-style presentations from time to time. Most modules include a number of seminars during Michaelmas and Lent terms. The amount of time dedicated to seminars and classes will vary depending on the student's module choices.

Lectures

Lectures are designed to present and discuss the major academic disciplines covered in each module. Most modules are structured around lecture-based teaching. The amount of time spent in lectures will vary depending on the student's module choices.

Journal clubs

Students are encouraged to contribute to the Heritage Research Centre’s fortnightly Bulletin.

Posters and Presentations

All MPhil students are usually required to make a presentation to staff and peers as part of the assessed
component of their research skills module.

Feedback

Students receive written feedback on all assessed coursework via the teaching administrator. Final overall marks are made available to students following the final examiners' meeting in September.

Students are invited to group meetings throughout the year to discuss progress and concerns in order to
address issues as and when they arise.

All students will have regular supervision sessions with their dissertation supervisor.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The dissertation is an extended piece of independent, original research. Students work with their supervisor to
formulate a dissertation project, carry out research and write it up. The topic of the dissertation has to be
approved by the Faculty Degree Committee. The dissertation is of maximum 15,000 words (exclusive of tables,
figures, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices) and is due at the end of July; it counts for 50% of the
student’s final mark.

Essays

Students taking the MPhil in Heritage Studies are usually required to produce between three and five assessed
essays depending on their chosen course of study and the modules they select. The essays are usually
between 3000 and 4000 words in length.

Written examination

Students taking the MPhil in Heritage Studies may be required to sit in class tests for some modules. Details will be given on the appropriate Moodle site at the start of the academic year.

Other

Attendance at the relevant Research Skills sessions is required of all MPhil students in the Department of Archaeology. Its mode of assessment may include a research proposal and an oral presentation (supported by visual aids) to teaching staff and peers.

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Key Information


10 months full-time

Study Mode : Taught

Master of Philosophy

Department of Archaeology

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Michaelmas 2024

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
April 24, 2024
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2024

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Jan. 4, 2024
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 11, 2023

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.


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