Computational Archaeology: GIS, Data Science and Complexity MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Top archaeological researchers and heritage professionals use a raft of computational methods, including data mining, web science, and point-process modelling. To stand out, you need to be able to learn on the job, use open data, and programme open-source software. This MSc draws on UCL's unparalleled expertise to set you up for future research, or a career in archaeological or non-archaeological organisation worldwide.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
£8,000
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£33,000
£16,500
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject 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

Modern archaeologists rely on several advanced computational techniques for their work. Computational archaeology refers to the use and development of computer-based analytical methods for the study of archaeology and human history. The most common, Geographic Information systems (GIS), is used to model archaeological sites and can guide plans for future developments. Students will also learn practical skills including:

  • Programming
  • Data-mining
  • Advanced spatial analysis
  • Agent-based simulation

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for students with an interest in the use of GIS in professional archaeology. Students should have a degree in archaeology or a related subject.

What this course will give you

This programme enables students to specialise in their chosen technical field such as:

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 
  • Computer simulation and open-source software.
  • Geophysical prospecting techniques such as magnetometry, ground penetrating radar, metal detectors etc.
  • Programming to extend existing or create new functionality for archaeological purposes.


UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest centres for archaeology in Britain and ranked 3rd in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2024. Students will benefit from the expertise of the Institute and their many collaborators worldwide. Students also have access to the Archaeological Computing and GIS laboratory.

The foundation of your career

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

  • Tourism and heritage management
  • Governmental and Policy development
  • Environmental and sustainability sector
  • Engineering
  • Academia and higher education

“The program's comprehensive coverage of GIS software, programming, and data analysis has been invaluable. The practical skills I've gained, including advanced spatial analysis with R and agent-based simulation, have prepared me well for a career in the heritage sector. The professors who taught the course are both amazing and supportive throughout the course. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in this field”

Ruoshan Yau (MSc Computational Archaeology: GIS, Data Science and Complexity 2021-22 and now Heritage Consultant with Arup).

The program's comprehensive coverage of GIS software, programming, and data analysis has been invaluable. The practical skills I've gained, including advanced spatial analysis with R and agent-based simulation, have prepared me well for a career in the heritage sector. The professors who taught the course are both amazing and supportive throughout the course. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in this field.

UCL Portico building with welcome sign between columns.

Ruoshan Yau

Computational Archaeology: GIS, Data Science and Complexity MSc and now Heritage Consultant with Arup

Employability

Students gain many transferable skills attractive to employers in a wide range of businesses and sectors, such as:

  • Theoretical and critical analysis.
  • Web- and database- led tasks.
  • Advanced software skills.
  • Ability to design and carry out original research.

Networking

The institute organises an annual "Careers in Ruins" event. Here students can get career advice from professionals in the Heritage and Archaeology sectors. They can also network with professionals from other sectors such as Business, Law and the Civil Service. Many of our alumni also return as guest lecturers on core modules and seminars.

Staff may also approach colleagues in other organisations to help students with their dissertation research.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. Careful provision is made to facilitate remote access to software, tutorials, datasets and readings through a combination of dedicated websites and virtual learning environments.

Assessment is through essays, practical components, project reports and portfolios, and the research dissertation.

Contact time takes various forms:

  • Lectures.
  • Seminars.
  • Project supervision.
  • Assessment feedback sessions.

The credit value of the module indicates the total learning hours you will spend to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is often equated to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.

The contact hours per module are normally around 2-3 hours a week with additional self-directed study time. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Your research project/dissertation module is 60 credits. The learning hours will mainly be spent researching and writing your final dissertation. You will also have regular contact with your supervisor(s). They will guide and support you throughout your work.

Modules

You participate in classes for taught modules in the first two terms. In the second term you identify a dissertation topic and supervisor then in the third term you begin work on your dissertation, which continues over the summer. Research skills sessions provide support for this and you have to make an oral presentation of your dissertation plans to staff and your colleagues to obtain feedback.

Optional modules may include:

  • Geographic Information Systems in Archaeology and History.
  • GIS Approaches to Past Landscapes (ARCL0095).
  • Remote Sensing in Archaeology (ARCLG207).
  • Exploratory Data Analysis in Archaeology (ARCL087).
  • Spatial Statistics, Network Analysis and Human History (ARCL0103).
  • Digital Heritage: Applications in Heritage Management

See the Modules section below and the Institute of Archaeology website for more information.    

Teaching takes place during terms one and two. Those who undertake part-time study will discuss with the degree co-ordinator their pathway through the degree. Typically students will take the compulsory core modules in the first year and select their optional modules in order to spread these out to year two. The dissertation is discussed in year 1 and completed at the end of year two. We endeavour to be flexible to the needs of part-time students in designing their pathway through the degree over two years.

Optional modules may include:

  • Geographic Information Systems in Archaeology and History.
  • GIS Approaches to Past Landscapes (ARCL0095).
  • Remote Sensing in Archaeology (ARCLG207).
  • Exploratory Data Analysis in Archaeology (ARCL087).
  • Spatial Statistics, Network Analysis and Human History (ARCL0103).
  • Digital Heritage: Applications in Heritage Management

See the Modules section below and the Institute of Archaeology website for more information.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Computational Archaeology: GIS, Data Science and Complexity.

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.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Institute of Archaeology (morning)

The UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest centres for archaeology, cultural heritage and museum studies in Britain. Join us for a Virtual Graduate Open Event to find out more about our wide range of Master’s programmes, how our programmes are taught, what it’s like to study at the Institute of Archaeology and have the opportunity to speak to a relevant degree co-ordinator. Please contact Lisa Daniel, Graduate Admissions Administrator (l.daniel@ucl.ac.uk) if you have any questions.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Institute of Archaeology (afternoon)

The UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest centres for archaeology, cultural heritage and museum studies in Britain. Join us for a Virtual Graduate Open Event to find out more about our wide range of Master’s programmes, how our programmes are taught, what it’s like to study at the Institute of Archaeology and have the opportunity to speak to a relevant degree co-ordinator. Please contact Lisa Daniel, Graduate Admissions Administrator (l.daniel@ucl.ac.uk) if you have any questions.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £33,000 £16,500

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

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

The optional module Remote Sensing in Archaeology (ARCLG207) has option to participate in a few days of fieldwork at St Albans (locations may vary). Students would need to cover any transport cost (approx. £19 per day).

Students will have access to all computing resources needed on campus, but students may wish to purchase their own laptop to give them more flexibility.

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

UCL Institute of Archaeology International Masters Student Award. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor the scholarship will enable one Overseas fee paying student to undertake a year of study on an eligible Master's programme. It will provide support of up to £26,000 for the duration of their degree and funds can be used to support fees and/or maintenance costs at the recipient's discretion. Further details can be found here. The deadline for applications is 1 March 2025.

Institute of Archaeology Master's Awards: The UCL Institute of Archaeology has one studentship of £10,000 available to support a graduate student who is an ordinarily resident in the UK or Ireland and eligible to pay home fee rate. The deadline for applications is 1st March 2025. For further information and to download an application see here.

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

Aziz Foundation Scholarships in Social and Historical Sciences

Value: Full tuition fees (equivalent to 1yr full-time) (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Institute of Archaeology International Masters Student Award

Deadline: 21 March 2025
Value: Up to £26,000 (1yr)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Institute of Archaeology Masters Award

Deadline: 21 March 2025
Value: £10,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study GIS and Spatial Analysis in Archaeology at graduate level
  • why you want to study GIS and Spatial Analysis in Archaeology at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging academic environment
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree
  • whether you have experience of using GIS or related technologies and, if so, what knowledge and skills you have already acquired
  • whether you are primarily interested in using GIS and related technologies for modelling and spatial analysis, or for visualisation

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

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.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Got questions? Get in touch

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