MSc Material Culture & Artefact Studies at University of Glasgow

Programme overview

The Material Culture & Artefact Studies MSc is a programme that combines the archaeological recovery and specialist examination of objects with their presentation, management and interpretation in a cultural context, with access to Glasgow Museums, National Museums Scotland and the Hunterian collections. An optional work placement is available.

Duration: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time | Intake: September | Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Core courses Material Culture in Context and The Process of Artefact Studies, three options from Archaeology and across Arts & Humanities (e.g. Cloth and Clothing, Heritage Material Science, Pottery Skills), and either an archaeology dissertation or an applied dissertation based on an extended work placement.

Career pathways

Graduates have found positions with Historic Scotland, Headland Archaeology and Guard Archaeology, in heritage organisations and cultural resource management, at museums including the Smithsonian, or continued to doctoral research.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Postgraduate entry (applies to MSc and PgDip): 2.1 Honours (or non-UK equivalent) in any subject; a 2.2 may be considered. Substantial, directly relevant experience may be considered in place of formal qualifications, supported by a personal statement. English language (applicants from non-majority English-speaking countries): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no subtest below 6.0; also accepted: TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic (test centre), Cambridge C1/C2, Oxford ELLT, LanguageCert Academic, Duolingo and other listed tests at published minimums; test must be within 2 years 5 months of start and met in a single sitting. International application rounds for September 2027 entry: Round 1 1 Oct to 5 Nov 2026; Round 2 6 Nov to 17 Dec 2026; Round 3 18 Dec 2026 to 4 Feb 2027; Round 4 5 Feb to 25 Mar 2027; Round 5 26 Mar to 13 May 2027; Round 6 14 May to 8 Jul 2027. UK applicants: 24 August 2027.

Domestic applicants: GBP 12,063 for the whole programme (2027/28). Full-time tuition (Home & RUK) Source

International applicants: GBP 27,390 for the whole programme (2027/28). Full-time tuition (International & EU) Source

Intake: September

Duration: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

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