MSc Archaeological Science

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.

English language proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 100.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 76.
• Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.

Cardiff University offers a range of scholarships to support international students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies. These scholarships are designed to attract high-achieving students from around the world, easing the financial burden and recognizing academic excellence. 

Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship: Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship is a merit-based award that provides partial funding for exceptional international undergraduate and postgraduate students. This scholarship rewards high academic achievement and study, making it ideal for students with strong academic backgrounds.

Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship: This scholarship offers substantial funding to international postgraduate students from certain countries, including the USA, India, Vietnam, and EU nations. The scholarship covers part of the tuition fees and is awarded based on academic merit and potential for success.

Chevening Scholarship: Offered in collaboration with the UK government, the prestigious Chevening Scholarship is available to international students who demonstrate leadership potential and academic excellence. The award covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other allowances, supporting future leaders and influencers in various fields.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships: For students from Commonwealth countries, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships provide funding for postgraduate students who would otherwise be unable to study in the UK. The scholarship includes full tuition, living expenses, and airfare, ensuring accessibility for students from developing nations.

British Council GREAT Scholarships: Cardiff University partners with the British Council to offer the GREAT Scholarships for students from specific countries, including China, India, Malaysia, and Thailand. These scholarships provide financial assistance for tuition fees and are intended to encourage bright students to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK.

Subject-Specific Scholarships: Certain academic departments at Cardiff University offer additional scholarships tailored to specific fields of study, such as engineering, business, and life sciences. These scholarships provide partial funding and are aimed at attracting talented students to specific programs.

Financial Aid and External Scholarships: In addition to Cardiff University scholarships, students can explore external funding options such as loans, grants, and scholarships provided by their home countries or private organizations. The university’s financial aid office offers guidance to help students find external financial support.

MSc in Archaeological Science from Cardiff University provides a versatile skill set, offering graduates a wide range of career paths in academia, industry, heritage, and beyond.

Academic and Research Careers: Graduates can pursue further academic qualifications like Ph.D. programs in Archaeology or related fields, where they can focus on advanced research topics, contribute to scholarly publications, and work within university departments or research institutions.

Archaeological Consultancy: Many graduates move into archaeological consultancy, where they assess and manage archaeological sites, conduct field surveys, and provide advice for development projects. Consultants work with government bodies, private contractors, or archaeological firms.

Museum and Heritage Management: The MSc provides the necessary skills for careers in museums, galleries, and heritage organizations. Graduates can work as curators, conservators, or heritage managers, preserving and showcasing archaeological findings to the public.

Environmental and Forensic Archaeology: Graduates can explore careers in environmental archaeology, where they analyze ancient landscapes and climates using scientific methods. Forensic archaeologists use similar techniques to help solve modern criminal cases, applying archaeological science to legal investigations.

Cultural Resource Management (CRM): This field focuses on preserving cultural heritage and managing archaeological sites. Graduates can work in CRM companies or government agencies to protect important cultural and historical sites from development or destruction.

Field Archaeology: Many MSc graduates opt for careers as field archaeologists, working on excavation teams both in the UK and internationally. This hands-on role involves excavation, artifact recovery, and analysis of archaeological sites.

Laboratory Technician or Analyst: Given the strong scientific foundation of the MSc, graduates can pursue laboratory-based careers as archaeological scientists or analysts, using techniques such as isotope analysis, carbon dating, and other scientific methods to study artifacts and ancient materials.

Public Engagement and Education: Graduates can also work in public outreach, education, and communication, creating educational programs, exhibitions, or digital media content to engage the public in archaeological science and heritage topics.

Geophysical Surveying: With a focus on technological skills in archaeological science, graduates can also enter careers in geophysical surveying, using methods like ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to assess potential archaeological sites without excavation.