Masters Degrees (Battlefield Archaeology)

This Masters in Conflict Archaeology & Heritage specialises in the archaeological approaches to conflict and historic battlefields. The course reflects the importance of archaeological manifestations of conflict as a vital component of the world’s cultural heritage, providing a firm grounding in the latest methodologies, concepts, and applications within this exciting multi-disciplinary field.

Why this programme

◾The programme is based within the Centre for Battlefield Archaeology, which is an internationally renowned centre of excellence for the study of conflict heritage and archaeology.
◾The Centre is consistently engaged in high profile fieldwork and research projects covering a wide geographical area and chronological span; the scope of research includes battlefields, memorialisation, military infrastructure, cultural resource management, etc.
◾The programme’s focus on conflict landscapes makes fieldtrips an integral part of the MLitt: amongst the significant battlefields you will visit will be the iconic sites of Bannockburn and Culloden.
◾Conflict sites, both ancient and modern, have come to be accepted as important elements of the world’s cultural heritage, and this programme provides an ideal grounding if you are interested in the management of these fields of conflict; the Centre has played a lead role in the development of government policy on the conservation and management of historic battlefields in Scotland.
◾You will benefit from a unique portfolio of ongoing research and archive material, including artefacts, historic documents, and other resources; you will also have access to a wide range of specialist archives, museums, professional archaeological units, and scientific institutions.

Programme structure

From battlefield archaeology, to the anthropology of warfare, to archaeologies of confinement, the programme will explore in depth the many and varied ways that human conflict can be interrogated via an archaeologically focused interdisciplinary approach, encompassing time periods from the prehistoric to the modern. In addition to taught elements, the course will encourage students to engage with the subject on a practical basis and will involve fieldtrips to a number of battlefields and other sites relevant to their studies.

The programme consists of three core courses which will provide a general framework for the study of conflict archaeology and heritage, accompanied by three more specialised optional courses. For the MLitt you will produce a dissertation on a specialist topic agreed with your supervisor.

Core courses

◾Research and Professional Skills
◾The Art of War: Concepts and Theories
◾Method & Practice in Conflict Heritage

Optional courses

You need to choose three options in total; two options are selected from the following:
◾Modern Warfare
◾British Battlefields

One option is selected from any of the specialist courses offered in the Archaeology, War Studies or other relevant programmes.

Career prospects

The Centre has an excellent track record of students going on to employment in universities, museums, commercial archaeology, government agencies, and archives both here and abroad. The MLitt in particular has proved to be an excellent platform to progression into PhD studies at universities both in the UK and overseas.

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A Master's by Research (MA) allows you to undertake a one year (full time) research degree. It contains little or no formal taught component. Such programmes are attractive to those wanting a briefer research degree than a PhD.

Research Master's students choose a specific project to work on and have a greater degree of independence in their work than is the case with a taught masters course.

You'll be expected to work to an approved programme of work which you will develop in conjunction with your supervisor within the first few months of starting your studies. Whilst undertaking the research project you will also have the opportunity to develop your research skills by taking part in training courses and events.

You will be appointed a main supervisor who will normally be part of a supervisory team, comprising up to three members to advise and support you on your project.

At the end of the project you'll write up your findings in the form of a short thesis of around 25,000 words, which will then be examined.

On successful completion, you will be awarded your degree and if you have enjoyed this taste of research you may then decide to apply for the full research doctoral degree (PhD).
Every member of staff associated with the History Group is an active researcher with research covering a wide range of topics such as:

• Adult masculinity within the Angevin royal family

• Gender and Piety in late medieval England

• Catholicism in Tudor/ Early Stuart England

• Children and childhood in Vichy France: history and memory c. 1940-1944

• Hospital provision before the NHS

• Representations of Madness in the Great War

• English Battlefield archaeology

• Humanitarian organisations in modern war

• The Victorian Press

• Working-Class Gambling

• British Labour History

• Historical Geography of Europe

• Co-Production of historical knowledge.

You are advised to take time to investigate the University's website to find out more details about the research we conduct. Please visit the Research section of the website to take a look at the information there.

To find out about the staff in this subject area please visit the subject area page, or alternatively, to look at profiles of any of our academic staff, you can visit our academic staff profile page.

You will need to complete a research proposal outlining your areas of interest and when this is submitted along with your research degree application form we will look for the academics within the University who have the expertise and knowledge to supervise you and guide you through your research degree.

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