Archaeology and Heritage MA

All of your modules are delivered by distance learning and we will provide you with excellent support from the same expert archaeology academics who deliver our on-campus courses. We understand you are combining study with external commitments and you can defer your studies if necessary. Up to a third of our students take advantage of this flexibility.

Each module consists of specially prepared self-study materials, which are made available online through Blackboard, our virtual learning environment, and supplemented by our Library's book-loans-by-post service.

During the course, you will be allocated an academic tutor for each module and you will receive one-to-one supervision throughout your course.

Each of the modules you choose will be assessed using at least two written assignments. You will be provided with detailed written feedback on each piece of work that you submit for assessment. All of your assignments will be graded by two markers who are academics or professional archaeologists.

Distance Learning

Online learning is an important feature of this course, therefore it is essential that you have reliable, regular access to the internet (preferably with a broadband connection) in order to participate.

As a distance learning student, you will have access to the University Library's electronic service, the Leicester Digital Library, which includes a large number of e-journals and e-books. You are also welcome to join campus-based activities (by prior arrangement) at any time.

If you live close to Leicester you can, of course, visit the Library in person. For UK-based students who wish to use other libraries, we can issue you with a card which allows you to do so. This is a national scheme which allows distance learning students to borrow material from up to three other participating libraries.

For the MA you need to complete four modules and a dissertation. For the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) you need to complete four modules. For the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) you need to complete two modules. The PGDip and PGCert are not available full-time., A good second class (2:1, or equivalent) honours degree in Archaeology (or Anthropology in North America) or a closely related subject.

If you have a degree in a less-relevant subject, you may be able to apply for this degree after completing specific conversion modules to an appropriate standard, by prior agreement with the Course Director.

If you have extensive relevant professional experience (5 years or more) the Course Director may consider this, on an individual basis.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

You start your studies in September taking one module at a time and over the course of two years you will complete your MA.

The teaching semester is divided into a series of 12 study sections. You complete 6 study sessions before working on your first assessment and then the second 6 sessions follow with your final assessment. There are no set times when you need to attend class or complete your study work except for assessment deadlines. This means you can fit your studies around your work and family life in a way that works for you whether that is studying in the evenings, at the weekend, or during the daytime. During each module you will have optional opportunities to join live chats with your module tutor and fellow students.

Each module has its own space in the Virtual Learning Environment where our staff have designed content to help you learn. This might include recorded lectures, guided readings, podcasts, discussion boards and optional live sessions: each module is different! These materials will guide you through the module content. Each module has a module co-ordinator who is responsible for the delivery of the module. You will hear from them regularly as they guide you through your learning. You will also have access to an e-reading list where all the key sources for the module are linked. In addition, you will also have access to our university Library, which has masses of digital resources you can access online - but they will also post you physical books too. In addition, they are able to provide lots of help and support, from finding resources to improving your academic skills., Archaeology and Ancient History at Leicester is ranked in the top 100 in the world by the QS University Rankings. Our academic staff are active in research on every continent, with research interests from early prehistory to the recent past.

Our assessments are designed to allow you to bring your existing expertise, skills and interests to your studies. This allows of students to either follow their own passions through the course of their studies or to work on material relevant to their professional careers.

Distance learning allows our students to manage flexible study alongside employment, caring and personal commitments. It offers a way to gain a valuable qualification without the need to move or stop working.

We have been delivering MAs by distance learning for over twenty years, our courses are designed around our students allowing them to gain the expertise and skills to progress in their careers.