Home

Institute of Archaeology MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

This is the programme information for 2025 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Institute of Archaeology MPhil/PhD (2024), click here

Are you ready to embark on large-scale advanced independent research? Join UCL’s Institute of Archaeology – one of the most highly regarded centres for archaeology, conservation, cultural heritage and museum studies in the world – to make an original contribution to knowledge in your specialist area. Offered as a full-time or part-time programme, you will be have supported by leading academics at every stage in an exceptional research environment where you can thrive.

UK students International students

Study mode

UK tuition fees (2025/26)

£6,215

£3,105

Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)

£29,800

£14,900

Duration

3 calendar years

5 calendar years

Programme starts

October 2025

February 2026

May 2026

Applications accepted

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but should be submitted at least three months prior to your preferred start date.

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A Master's degree in a relevant discipline (pass of 70% or better including 70% in the dissertation) from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Together, over 350 graduate students and 60 academic staff create a diverse and vibrant research community that also benefits from the vast array of resources and facilities at UCL and throughout London. There are few other settings in the world that can offer such a stimulating context for advanced research and learning. We offer research degrees of either two (MPhil) or three (PhD) years duration (full-time, with part-time options). Students are assigned two supervisors, sometimes with a third where appropriate. In addition to the support provided by your supervisory team, your project will be subject to rigorous constructive review towards the end of your first year, and subsequently during your second and third years.

The PhD is examined by a viva voce committee comprising two experts in the field, normally an external examiner who can be based anywhere in the world, and an internal examiner from the University of London. Your supervisor nominates suitable examiners during your final year, in consultation with you. The viva exam itself is a meeting in which the examiners and discuss your work with you, both through direct questions and more informal conversation.

Developing research skills

You will receive continuous support to develop your research throughout the pogramme. In the first year you will undertake the Induction Course which will hone the academic skills required to plan and carry out a successful PhD.

Research areas and structure

Current research at the UCL Institute of Archaeology covers fieldwork, laboratory analysis and conservation, artefact studies, and theoretical, synthetic, and analytical working from a range of perspectives. It has more than 60 research-active staff, research projects on five continents and in the Pacific, and attracts regular and substantial research funding from a wide range of national and international bodies. Research is carried out in tropical Africa, Asia, Britain and Europe, China, Egypt, the Pacific, South America and the Caribbean, to name a few regions where staff are currently active. The chronological range of research at the Institute runs from the emergence of the earliest humans up to the present.

The institute is organised in three major sections: Archaeological Science, Heritage Studies and World Archaeology, with over 20 research networks that focus on particular themes, regions, methods and techniques in archaeology.

Research focuses on the following areas:

Archaeological theory
Archaeology of hunter-gatherer, early agrarian and ancient urban societies
Comparative archaeology in a global context
Human palaeobiology, subsistence, diet and health
Indigenous archaeology
Museum studies, heritage management and public archaeology
Palaeoecology and environmental change
Prehistoric, ancient and classical art
Quantitative methods and computer applications
Technology and conservation of ancient materials.

Who this course is for

Students who wish to pursue research at a leading institution and benefit from the support and expertise of world-leading academics.

Read about what it takes to become a UCL graduate research student

What this course will give you

UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest centres for archaeology and heritage in the world, ranked No 1 in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021) and ranked 3rd in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2024. Embarking on a research career at the Institute offers a world-class opportunity to gain a research degree across the full breadth of archaeology and heritage studies

This programme offers you many benefits and opportunities including:

Supervision by world-leading academics
access to the Institute’s exceptional laboratories, equipment, archives, teaching and reference collections, and its world-class library.
Peer-reviewing and editorial experience through the Institute's graduate journal Papers from the Institute of Archaeology.
Funding for student-led academic events.
Proximity to The British Museum and British Library, and UCL’s Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.

Find out how your research could have an impact

The foundation of your career

Upon completing this degree, you will have skills well suited for jobs in sectors such as:

Archaeology within HE, museums, and private companies
Environmental and sustainability sector
Journalism
Civil Service
Tourism and heritage management

“My time at the Institute of Archaeology was invaluable. Being global in focus and nature truly refined my thinking and prepared me well to overcome the challenges that I encountered as part of my professional career”

Laurence (PhD Student)

Employability

The programme is designed to enhance career prospects by giving students transferable skills attractive to employers in a wide range of businesses and sectors, such as:

Theoretical and critical analysis.
Ability to design and carry out original research.
Practical skills, such as survey techniques and computing skills.

You will also learn to solve problems and issues and to build positive working relationships.

Networking

The UCL Institute of Archaeology has strong links with organisations and universities all over the world. They include:

The British Museum
Historic England
UNESCO
The Wellcome Trust
The UK Arts Council
Numerous national park services across the globe.

We also host several centres including the Centre for Applied Archaeology and International Centre for Chinese Heritage and Archaeology.

Teaching and learning

Most of the three or four years during which you are studying for your PhD will be spent engaging in independent research in consultation with your supervisory team. Regular meetings you’re your supervisors will inform the structure and timescale of your research. Your work and these meetings will be recorded in a compulsory research log, which allows you and the department to be sure that you are making appropriate progress.

PhD students will produce a thesis of no more than 100,000 words. The PhD is examined by a viva committee comprising of two experts in the field, normally an external examiner who can be based anywhere in the world, and an internal examiner who is normally from UCL.

Full-time students are expected to dedicate a minimum of 35 hours per week on their research, although this will vary, with some periods of more intensive research.

Part-time students should spend a minimum of 15 hours per week on their research, although this will vary, with some periods of more intensive research.

Research areas and structure

Current research at the UCL Institute of Archaeology covers fieldwork, laboratory analysis and conservation, artefact studies, and theoretical, synthetic, and analytical work across a range of perspectives. It has more than 60 research-active staff, projects on five continents and in the Pacific, and wins regular and substantial research funding from a wide range of national and international sources. Research is carried out in tropical Africa, Asia, Britain and Europe, China, Egypt, the Pacific, South America and the Caribbean.

The institute is organised in three major sections: Archaeological Science, Heritage Studies, World Archaeology, and has over 20 research networks.

Research focuses on the following areas:

Archaeological theory
Archaeology of hunter-gatherer, early agrarian and ancient urban societies
Comparative archaeology in a global context
Human palaeobiology, subsistence, diet and health
Indigenous archaeology
Museum studies, heritage management and public archaeology
Palaeoecology and environmental change
Prehistoric, ancient and classical art
Quantitative methods and computer applications
Technology and conservation of ancient materials.

Research environment

At the start of your studies, supervision focuses on creating a personalised and achievable research programme, which includes:

practical skills training.
reviewing relevant literature.
setting realistic research objectives.

As you progress, supervisors will give academic advice and maintain the impetus and direction of your research programme, including on matters of textual organisation and presentation.

The length of registration for the research degree is three years full time. You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 9-18 months after initial registration. Study for a stand-alone MPhil is also a possibility.

In your first year, you will be asked to plan the basic structure of your project, building upon your initial research proposal. You will attend appropriate induction courses and your work will be reviewed throughout the year. In the summer term, you will be asked to write a first year review of your research and give a short presentation of your work to the Graduate Student Research Committee.

As a second year student you are expected to upgrade from MPhil to PhD student status. To successfully upgrade to PhD you are required to submit a piece of written work ( normally based on achapter ofyour thesis). You are also required to give a half hour presentation and answer questions about your work to a panel consisting of a chair and two academic members of staff who can comment on your research.

The full-time PhD programme is expected to be completed within three years. If you are not ready to submit at the end of the third year, you may be able to register as a completing research status (CRS) student for one further year while you write up your thesis. While on CRS you will have continued access to UCL facilities and are not required to pay fees.

The length of registration for the research degree is five years part-time. You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 15-30 months after initial registration.

In your first year, you will be required to plan the structure of your project. You will attend appropriate induction courses and your work will be reviewed throughout the year. In the autumn term, you will be asked to write a first year review of your research and give a short presentation of your work to the Graduate Student Research Committee.

In your third year you are expected to upgrade from MPhil to PhD student status. To successfully upgrade to PhD you are required to submit a piece of written work, normally based on a chapter of your thesis. You are also required to give a half hour presentation and answer questions about your work to a panel comprising of a chair and two additional members of academic staff who can comment on your research. .

In subsequent years, you be asked to submit a further progress form to the Graduate Student Research Committee. The PhD programme is expected to be completed within five years. If you are not ready to submit at the end of the fifth year, you may be able to register as a completing research status (CRS) student for one further year while you write up your thesis. While on CRS you will have continued access to UCL facilities and are not required to pay fees.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time	Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£6,215	£3,105
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£29,800	£14,900

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Additional research costs associated with PhD research vary depending on the project. Some students may need to complete research trips, both in the UK and overseas, depending on the scope of their research. Students whose PhD is being funded by an external body will likely receive a research allowance as part of their award.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

Competitive applications for LAHP (AHRC) awards for MPhil/PhD study may be made via the UCL Institute of Archaeology. The admissions deadline for those wishing to be considered for LAHP (AHRC) funding is likely to be early December. Please contact the institute for details.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

: UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship (ROS)

Deadline: Deadline: NOW CLOSED FOR 2025/26

Value: UK rate fees, a maintenance stipend, conference costs and professional development package (3 years)

Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need

Eligibility: UK

Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships - SHS

Deadline: 31 January 2025

Value: Full tuition fees plus £28,840 stipend for full time study ('pro rata' for part-time students) (3 years)

Criteria Based on academic merit

Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Next steps

Deadlines and start dates are usually dictated by funding arrangements so check with the department or academic unit to see if you need to consider these in your application preparation. In most cases you should identify and contact potential supervisors before making your application. For more information see our How to apply page. Applicants are strongly advised to submit a complete application by 1 May 2024. Applications submitted after this date take significantly longer to process. The UCL Institute of Archaeology offers two start dates only: September and January.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.