Archaeology (PhD / MPhil) - 2012/2013 entry

A research degree offers you the opportunity to acquire a highly advanced set of conceptual skills developed in the pursuit of new knowledge, which can be applied within or beyond an academic or scholarly context. Research training in any academic discipline helps to channel creativity into critical innovatory reasoning. The legitimate authority of original, independent research depends upon persuasive analytical arguments supported by critically evaluated evidence.

Before deciding to pursue a research degree, you should ideally draft an independent proposal for your intended area of research. We also strongly advise that, before submitting your application, you informally approach and establish contact with a potential supervisor based in the department.

Our research areas include: classical Greek, Hellenistic and Roman Republican archaeology; Roman provincial archaeology; and late antique and early medieval western European archaeology. Key specialisms include: archaeology of urban settlement, archaeology of cult and ritual, death and burial, social archaeology, attitudes to the past, and interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary studies in history and archaeology.

Find out more about our current PhD/MPhil students and their areas of research.

We are located just five minutes' walk from the British Museum and 10 minutes from the British Library. Other nearby specialist centres of research include the Institute of Archaeology, the Institute of Classical Studies and the Institute of Historical Research, all of which offer regular seminars on research areas covered by the department.

The Department of History, Classics and Archaeology earns a significant amount of research income through grants, funded research posts, and other associations. In 2004, members of staff in the department made successful applications for four research grants of more than £200,000, as well as several smaller awards. In 2008, two staff members were awarded a Leverhulme Trust prize of £70,000 each for substantial and recognised contributions to their fields of study.

Research students are well supported by the facilities of the department, the resources of the College and of the University. You will work closely with your academic supervisor, but will also be assigned a second member of academic staff within the department in the role of a personal mentor.

A variety of workshops, courses and training are provided. Research students have a regular forum - the Research Students' Workshop - at which to present work in progress and to gain experience in critical debate.

Student-run research seminars, workshops on academic writing, guest lectures, and a number of reading groups are also supported by the Department.

The department aims to foster exchange and discussion, for the benefit of both staff and research students, through work-in-progress seminars, and discussion groups.

The department offers a writing tutor, and tuition is also provided in Ancient Greek and Latin. At present, they are also offering a reading course on German for historians. Tuition in other languages is available at the UCL language centre.

Download a copy of the current research student handbook here.

• Dr Jennifer Baird: Roman Provincial Archaeology. 
• Dr Caroline Goodson: Medieval Archaeology, Medieval history, architecture, and archaeology, in particular southern Italy in the early Middle Ages.
• Dr Lesley McFadyen: Prehistoric archaeology.
• Dr Caspar Meyer: Greek art and archaeology.
• Tim Reynolds, MA, PhD: Middle and Upper Palaeolithic human behaviour; human evolution; lithic technology; post-Pleistocene adaptations.

For details of other staff working in related areas, see the PhD/MPhil History.

Candidates should decide on an area and subject of research and, ideally, have identified a potential supervisor within the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology. It is important to have a supervisor who will provide an overview of your chosen field. Candidates are welcome to contact a potential supervisor for advice on their research proposal, and are encouraged to do so. Candidates may apply for full-time or part-time study mode – part-time study mode is open to UK, EU, EEA and Swiss nationals. Fees for EU nationals are charged at the UK home student rate. International students may apply for full-time study mode only.

Suitable candidates will be interviewed by a panel of the Research Committee, which will include the prospective supervisor. During the application process, candidates may also contact the department for advice.

Find out more about our current PhD/MPhil students and their research topics.

• You can apply, and start studying, at any time during the year.