Archaeology

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Masters (Merit).

If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.

Applicants must have achieved an overall mark of at least 68 in a UK MA or MPhil or the equivalent from a non-UK institution and, where available, a dissertation mark of at least 68 or the equivalent, or possess relevant professional experience, and have an original and feasible research project idea to develop during their PhD.

Months of entry

October

Course content

The PhD in Archaeology is an opportunity for original research leading to a thesis within a structured research environment that encourages both independence and collaboration. The Department of Archaeology provides research training for PhD students through regular research skills seminars. All PhD students are assigned a supervisor and an adviser and may have additional co-supervisors and/or advisers who make up their ‘supervisory team’. Students will have frequent meetings with their supervisor and other team members, either together or individually. PhD students receive a progress review at the end of their second and fourth terms. The PhD is normally obtained after three years of study (five years part-time) on an approved subject within the field of Archaeology, and includes an oral examination on the thesis and the general field of knowledge in which it falls.

The thesis topic is normally proposed by the student and then decided between the student and the supervisor, and assistance is provided on elements of methodology and analysis, as well as with the written presentation. The thesis must satisfy the examiners that the candidate can design and carry out investigations, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject. The PhD is assessed solely on the basis of the thesis examination.

A PhD thesis in Archaeology must represent a significant contribution to knowledge. with a word count of not more than 80,000 words. Students may be required to complete courses in research design, statistical analysis, interpretation, communication and safety during their first Michaelmas term at Cambridge, and attend such lectures and courses as are considered appropriate by their supervisor.

Information for international students

Language Requirement

IELTS (Academic)

Element Score

Listening 7.0

Writing 7.0

Reading 7.0

Speaking 7.0

Total 7.5

TOEFL Internet Score

Element Score

Listening 25

Writing 25

Reading 25

Speaking 25

Total 110

CAE

Score: Grade A & B (overall score of 193, with no element lower than 185 plus a Language Centre assessment)

CPE

Score: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 with no element lower than 185).