About the Program

Program Overview

The Master’s program in Field Archaeology on Land and under the Sea delivers a thorough education in Field Archaeology. By engaging with courses that delve into the nature, study, documentation, and interpretation of archaeological artefacts and sites both on Land and Under the Sea, students gain foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in research methodologies and techniques across a broad archaeological fieldwork spectrum. The program aims to furnish advanced knowledge and research training, crucial for students' future careers in archaeology.

Program Main Objectives

• Provide high-quality post-graduate education.
• Embrace a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to Cultural Landscape in Archaeology, recognizing terrestrial and maritime spaces as essential components of the Mediterranean Cultural Landscape.
• Establish a connection between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
• Develop skills in equipment operation, both in the laboratory and the field.
• Provide training in essay writing.
• Offer practical experience in fieldwork methods and techniques.

Key Learning Outcomes

Students are expected to:

• Comprehend interdisciplinarity in the study of the human past.
• Understand the unique aspects of the coastal zone and the sea as locations for human activity and archaeological research.
• Grasp the scope and methods of field archaeology.
• Acquire documented experience and necessary skills for future careers in academia or various domains of public and field archaeology.
• Familiarize themselves with real research conditions.
• Learn to use tools and equipment.
• Develop the ability to conduct comprehensive research essays and write reports.

This program provides a holistic education in Field Archaeology, emphasizing practical skills, interdisciplinary perspectives, and the essential link between theoretical knowledge and hands-on application. Students gain a solid foundation for future endeavours in academia or diverse fields within archaeology.

The program is addressed to

• Archaeologists already working in the public sector (Archaeological Services or in Museums), need to optimize their professional performance in various aspects of fieldwork.

• Young archaeologists who wish to enhance their training and experience, to pursue a career in the public or private sector.

• Young researchers who need to expand their fieldwork activities or be trained in new/ specific methods and techniques.

• Non-archaeology graduates from domains that are closely linked to archaeology, who wish to become familiar with archaeological fieldwork.

Admissions Procedure

Prospective students must have completed an undergraduate degree in Archaeology, History, Classics, Anthropology, or other related fields of research (History of Art, Architecture, Geography, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering) in recognized Universities.

Graduates of the University of Cyprus and the Universities of Greece must have an undergraduate diploma with a cumulative grade of 6.5 or higher. The equivalent is required for graduates from other Universities.

Good knowledge of English is required upon enrolment for this program. Applicants should submit an English language certificate of level IELTS 5.5 or equivalent, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages*. This does not apply to graduates of English-speaking schools and Universities.

Specific Admission Requirements

The number of places available is announced by the Graduate School with the eligibility criteria for candidates, as well as other required documents that must be attached to the application such as:

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University.
• Previous University education in a suitable subject (academic background) and grades of relevant degrees.
• Letters of recommendation.
• Personal interview and/or written examination (if provided by the Department’s internal rules).
• Submission of preliminary research proposal for admission to a doctoral course (if provided by the Department’s internal rules).

The Department may also set additional criteria and quality indicators such as: 

(a) number of students’ publications in scientific journals,

(b) students’ participation in seminars, symposia, research programmes,

(c) presentations by students at conferences,

(d) knowledge of foreign languages, and

(e) professional experience, etc.

Assessment and Grading

• The grading system is numerical, from 0 to 10 with increments of ½. The minimum passing grade is 5. The final grade of a graduate student is calculated as the grade point average of all courses passed by the student.
  In a postgraduate programme of study, courses can be graded as Success/Failure. These courses do not count towards the student’s GPA, and may not exceed 25% of the programme’s ECTS, except for the dissertation units. All courses are presented in the Postgraduate Studies Prospectus.
• The diploma dissertation, thesis, research and writing stages are graded with Success / Failure. The final grade of the dissertation is registered in the last semester of its elaboration. Master-level dissertations are calculated qualitatively as Excellent, Very Good, Good, and Failure

Occupational Profiles of Graduates with Examples

The proposed MA Programme comprises the only postgraduate programme of study to date that treats field archaeology on land and underwater as integral parts of the archaeology of Mediterranean landscapes.

The combination of and balance between theoretical/methodological aspects and practical applications comprise another innovative aspect of this programme. Moreover, the possibility of being actively engaged with field practicals throughout the programme in Cyprus (where there is an unparalleled range and number of archaeological sites and projects currently in progress by national and foreign teams) renders the proposed programme a particularly attractive MA, mostly to archaeologists from Northern and North-West Europe.

Meanwhile, members of the teaching staff coordinate field research projects (in other countries of Europe, as well as in Cyprus), offering potential students the opportunity to gain experience and get training through several state-of-the-art laboratory, underwater and landscape/field research projects.