Umeå University

Overview

The Master's programme in Landscape Archaeology or Environmental Archaeology at Umeå University provides an in-depth exploration of the interactions between past societies and their environments. This two-year programme equips students with the skills needed for fieldwork, analysis, and interpretation, utilizing a range of scientific methods to understand how landscapes have influenced human behavior and vice versa.

What you'll study

The curriculum combines methodological training with specialized coursework and a research project, allowing students to choose between two distinct pathways: Landscape Archaeology or Environmental Archaeology. Core themes include human-environment interactions, landscape change, and archaeological methodologies.

Core and pathway courses

• Landscape Archaeology: Field, Cartography, and Surveying Skills
• Environmental Archaeology: Field and Laboratory Methods
• Landscape / Environmental Archaeology: Advanced History, Theory & Methodology
• GIS for Landscape & Environmental Archaeology

Project / thesis

• Landscape / Environmental Archaeology project work or thesis: Involves research design, data collection/analysis, and written academic reporting.

Learning activities (typical)

• Field exercises for documentation and sampling, tailored to your chosen pathway.
• Laboratory analysis of environmental evidence specific to your pathway.
• GIS-based mapping and spatial interpretation techniques.
• Seminars and method-focused teaching linked to practical research experiences.

Entry requirements

Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent first-cycle qualification) from a recognized university, with at least 180 ECTS credits. Additionally, a minimum of 90 ECTS in relevant fields such as Archaeology, Environmental Archaeology, Geography, Geology, History, Anthropology, Classics, and/or Biological and/or Environmental Sciences is required.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme will be well-prepared for various career paths in archaeology, environmental management, and research. Opportunities may include roles in heritage management, environmental consultancy, academia, and public archaeology, providing a strong foundation for those interested in exploring the intricate relationship between humans and their environments throughout history.