Archaeology - MA/MSSc in Archaeology

Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Social Sciences (MSSc) in Archaeology

Introduction

Administered through the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the Department of Archaeology offers a Master of Arts (MA) (one year) and a Master of Social Sciences (MSSc) (two years) in Archaeology as part of its postgraduate academic portfolio. The programme is designed to meet the growing national and regional demand for advanced expertise in archaeology, heritage management, and cultural resource conservation. In the context of Sri Lanka’s ongoing development and its exceptionally rich archaeological heritage, the programme plays a key role in training professionals capable of engaging with both academic research and applied heritage practice.

Archaeology today extends beyond traditional field study and excavation. This programme integrates contemporary approaches in cultural resource management, heritage studies and heritage management, archaeological tourism and museum studies, irrigation and ancient societies, bioarchaeology and human evolution, digital and visual archaeology, as well as heritage policy, planning, and impact assessment. Through this interdisciplinary framework, the programme prepares graduates to contribute effectively to heritage governance, research, and cultural sustainability.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to produce graduates who are able to:

design, plan and implement research –based on archaeological impact assessment strategies.
Conduct research into cultural resource practice which adds to the available body of knowledge.
Approach in a variety of different archaeological heritage settings, organization types and policy situations.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are selected based on academic qualifications and other criteria as prescribed by the university.

MA Degree - Bachelor’s Degree (SLQF 5 or SLQF 6) from a recognized university with Archaeology as a subject or any other academic or professional qualifications approved by the Board of Study in Social Sciences, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and the University Senate.
MSSc Degree - Bachelor’s Degree (SLQF 6 with a Class - First or Second) from a recognized university with Archaeology as a subject or any other academic or professional qualifications approved by the Board of Study in Social Sciences, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and the University Senate.

SLQF Level

Master of Arts in Archaeology (MA) – SLQF Level 09
Master of Social Sciences in Archaeology (MSSc) – SLQF Level 10

Duration of Study

Master of Arts in Archaeology (Coursework-based) – One academic year
Master of Social Sciences in Archaeology (Coursework and Research-based) – Two academic years, including the completion of a research dissertation in the second year

Medium of Instruction

Sinhala / English

Mode of Delivery

Teaching is conducted during weekends to facilitate participation by working professionals and graduate students.

Programme Structure

MA Programme – Candidates are required to complete six (06) compulsory taught modules.
MSSc Programme – Candidates are required to complete all taught modules during the first year and undertake a supervised research dissertation in the second year on an approved topic related to archaeology, heritage, or allied fields.