University College London (UCL)
Environmental Archaeology MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The MSc in Environmental Archaeology offers a comprehensive look into how humans have interacted with their environment through time. Students learn to analyze and interpret biological and environmental data from archaeological sites, helping us understand past climate changes, landscape use, and resource management. The course combines practical skills with theoretical knowledge, focusing on methods like zooarchaeology, palynology, and soil analysis, which are essential for uncovering stories from ancient environments. Throughout, students are encouraged to apply these skills to real-world challenges, including environmental conservation and cultural heritage.
The program is designed to support students in developing both research skills and practical experience. It features a mix of lectures, practical workshops, and project work, often involving team-based activities. Many modules are designed to foster independent thinking, while also providing guidance on research design and analysis. The course prepares students for careers in academia, archaeology consulting, environmental agencies, or further research, emphasizing critical thinking, technical competence, and a solid understanding of environmental processes and archaeological methods. Throughout the program, students are supported to build confidence in applying their knowledge to complex problems related to the environment and human history.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, presentations, laboratory sessions, practicals, and site and museum visits.
Assessment is through the dissertation, and a combination of essays, coursework, presentations, practical examination and laboratory reports, depending on the options selected.
Contact time takes various forms:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Laboratory work
- Dissertation supervision
- Assessment feedback sessions
The credit value of the module indicates the total learning hours you will spend to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is often equated to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.
The contact hours per module are normally around 2-3 hours a week with additional self-directed study time. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.
Your dissertation module is 90 credits. The learning hours will mainly be spent researching and writing your final dissertation. You will also have regular contact with your supervisor(s). They will guide and support you throughout your work.
Modules
Full-time
The teaching is carried out in the first two terms. In the second term you identify a dissertation topic and supervisor, then in the third term you begin work on your dissertation, which continues over the summer. Research skills sessions provide support for this and you will be required to deliver an oral presentation of your dissertation plans to staff and your student colleagues to obtain feedback.
Part-time
Teaching takes place during terms one and two. Those who undertake part-time study will discuss their pathway through the degree with the degree co-ordinator.
Typically, students will take the compulsory core modules in the first year and select their optional modules in order to spread these out to year two. The dissertation is discussed in year 1 and completed at the end of year two. We endeavour to be flexible to the needs of part-time students in designing their pathway through the degree over two years.
Compulsory modules
- Dissertation
- Resources and Subsistence
- Environmental Archaeology in Practice
Optional modules
- Archaeobotanical Analysis in Practice
- Geoarchaeology: Methods and Concepts 1
- Zooarchaeology in Practice
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Environmental Archaeology.
What this course will give you
UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest centres for archaeology in Britain and ranked 3rd in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2024. It brings archaeology, cultural heritage, conservation and museum studies together under one roof, making it a special and exciting place to study. This degree reflects the institute’s broader mission to harness knowledge of the past and what is to be human.
This programme offers you many benefits and opportunities:
- Learn from leading experts in their fields.
- Use of the Institute’s exceptional laboratories, equipment, archives, and collections.
- Proximity to the British Museum, Natural History Museum and British Library, as well as UCL’s Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.
The foundation of your career
Upon completing this degree, you will have skills well suited for jobs in sectors such as:
- Archaeology within Higher Education, museums, and private companies
- Environmental and sustainability sector
- Tourism and heritage management
Employability
The programme is designed to enhance career prospects by giving students transferable skills attractive to employers in a wide range of businesses and sectors, such as:
- Theoretical and critical analysis.
- Ability to design and carry out original research.
- Archaeological laboratory skills
- Practical archaeological skills.
You will also learn to solve problems and issues and to build positive working relationships.
Networking
The institute organises an annual "Careers in Ruins" event. Here students can get career advice from professionals in the Heritage and Archaeology sectors. They can also network with professionals from other sectors such as Business, Law and the Civil Service. Many of our alumni also return as guest lecturers on core modules and seminars.