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Taught Courses

Whether you are considering a taught Master's degree in order to prepare for doctoral research, to enhance your professional skills, or to deepen your understanding of a subject you are passionate about, we can provide a number of exceptional programmes designed to meet your needs. 

The six pathways within our MA in Archaeology degree or the three pathways within MSc in Bioarchaeology have been developed to benefit those wishing to pursue a PhD or those with a wide-ranging interest in the subject. Many of our graduates go on to further academic research. We also offer programmes devised to prepare you for a career in professional archaeology, or the conservation, heritage, or museums sectors.

 

Explore our courses

Find out more about our taught programmes by visiting the individual programme pages or contact us for more information.

 

MSc Bioarchaeology

This course opens the door to the latest developments in archaeological science, through three distinctive pathways.
People carrying out sample preparation extraction in the Ancient DNA lab

MA Archaeology

Our MA in Archaeology allows students to explore their areas of interest through four strands.
Student digging during an Archaeological Services field trip

MSc Human Bioarchaeology and Paleopathology

This MSc equips you with the theoretical and practical skills and knowledge to study and interpret data collected from human remains.
A top view of a skull

MA International Cultural Heritage Management

This MA aims to introduce you to the issues involved in global cultural heritage management as a foundation for both professional and academic paths.
Durham Cathedral

MA Museum and Artefact Studies

This MA will provide you with the high quality training relevant to a career in museums, the cultural heritage sector, and in the academic world.
Archaeology trip to Beijing

MSc Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects

This is a two-year course, which trains graduate students to be conservators of archaeological and museum objects.
Cup found during the Binchester fieldwork trip

MSc Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology

This innovative MSc is unique in the UK in terms of its strong international humanitarian focus and the research excellence that is at its core.
Students standing around an excavated skeleton

Master of Data Science: Heritage stream

This course trains you in the data science skills now used to analyse, monitor and protect heritage assets, including 3D scanning, data mining and machine learning.
Technical illustration of a head with abstract graphics

All of our programmes offer the chance to join a diverse and stimulating community of postgraduate students from around the world, and to contribute to the vibrant, research-led culture within the department.  

Contact us if you have any queries: archaeology.postgrad.taught@durham.ac.uk

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Hear from our student Katie Chin-Quee

Katie is a student from the US studying our MSc Human Bioarchaeology and Palaeopathology programme - watch the video to learn more about Katie's experience in our Department!

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Hear from our student Simon Alderson

Simon is a student from the UK who recently graduated from our MA International Cultural Heritage Management programme - watch the video to learn more about Simon's experience with us!

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Hear from our student Lauren Gill

Lauren is a student from France who is studying a PhD with us after recently graduating from our MSc Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology programme - watch the video to learn more about Lauren's experience!

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Broaden your horizons with our Postgraduate Support Scholarships

We've announced 100 scholarships to support eligible UK students from low and middle income households who apply for postgraduate study in September 2025. The scholarships will consist of £3,000 per year for taught programmes or £2,000 per year for MRes programmes.

Find out more about eligibility and how to apply