University of Leicester

What you'll study

This distance-learning MA integrates core archaeological approaches with the study of how the past is managed, interpreted and presented in contemporary societies. You will study a mix of compulsory and optional modules delivered online, typically including research methods and historiography, heritage theory and policy, public archaeology and interpretation, and project-based modules in areas such as material culture, conservation principles, and digital heritage/GIS.

The programme culminates in a substantial dissertation or practice-led research project, allowing you to pursue an original topic in archaeology or heritage practice under academic supervision. Modules emphasise critical engagement with sources, remote access to digital archives, practical skills in heritage assessment and interpretation, and methods for public engagement and community archaeology.

• Core content: archaeological research methods, theory of heritage, ethics and law affecting the historic environment.
• Optional themes: museum and collections management, public and community archaeology, landscape archaeology, digital recording and GIS, material culture studies.
• Final project: a dissertation or practice-based project which applies research methods to a substantive question in archaeology or heritage.
• Delivery: taught entirely at a distance through a combination of recorded lectures, live seminars, online discussion, and assessed coursework.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally need a good undergraduate degree in archaeology, anthropology, history, heritage studies or a closely related discipline. Applicants with substantial relevant professional experience in museums, heritage management, archaeology fieldwork or community archaeology may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

As a distance-learning course, you should be able to demonstrate the capacity for independent study and access to suitable IT equipment and internet connectivity. International applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet the University's English language requirements (for example, a recognised English language qualification at the required level).

Career prospects

Graduates from this MA go on to a wide range of roles across heritage and cultural sectors. Typical career paths include positions in local authority or national heritage agencies, museums and collections management, interpretation and outreach, community and public archaeology, heritage consultancy, conservation support roles, and archaeological units. The degree also provides a solid foundation for further academic research and PhD study.

The course is designed to develop practical skills valued by employers—project design and management, research methods, heritage impact assessment, digital recording and communication for public audiences—making it suitable both for those seeking to progress an existing heritage career and for those changing into the sector.

Why study at University of Leicester

The University of Leicester has a long-established reputation in archaeology and heritage research, with staff who combine academic expertise with active involvement in fieldwork, museum practice and heritage consultancy. The distance-learning MA benefits from the School's research culture and its links with museums, commercial archaeological units and heritage organisations, which inform teaching and provide opportunities for applied projects.

Students on the programme gain access to the University's online learning environment, digital resources and research expertise, while studying flexibly to fit professional and personal commitments. The programme's emphasis on contemporary heritage practice, public engagement and digital methods reflects the changing needs of the sector and prepares graduates to contribute effectively to heritage management, interpretation and policy in a variety of settings.