PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MA Egyptian Archaeology
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MA
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
N/A
(where applicable)
Intake cohort(s) to which this
programme specification is applicable:
from session 2007-08 onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Social and Historical Sciences
Parent Department:
Institute of Archaeology
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental Web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/
(if applicable)
Method of study:
The programme can be taken either full-time or part-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate-study/
Length of the programme:
One calendar year full-time, two calendar years part-time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Level 7
N/A
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme / its assessment:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/studying/masters/degrees
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Institute of Archaeology Masters Board
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
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EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
1. To provide a broad and in-depth introduction to theoretical issues in archaeology, particularly of ancient Egypt.
2. To encourage critically aware perspectives on archaeological practice and research in Egyptian archaeology.
3. To consider the potential contribution of current developments in archaeological theory and method and what
such applications may add to our understanding of archaeology relevant to Egypt.
4. To encourage the ability to develop and explore original research questions in Egyptian archaeology.
5. To enable students to embark on future research and professional careers in Egyptian archaeology.
6. To identify the key problems facing archaeology in Egypt and to consider future directions which may positively
contribute to the appropriate development of Egyptian archaeology.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
1.Recent Egyptian archaeology in relation
to general trends in archaeological
theory.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Acquisition of 1 through participation in the Themes,
Thought and Theory in World Archaeology and the
Archaeology of Ancient Egypt core courses.
2.Issues that currently dominate Egyptian
archaeology – their origin, nature and
relevance.
Acquisition of 2 through the Archaeology of Ancient
Egypt course, which features presentations and
seminars.
3.An aspect of current archaeological
theory, method, or practice.
Acquisition of 3 through the optional courses available.
4.Specific research themes concerning
Egypt.
Acquisition of 4 through the dissertation which must
address an aspect of or issue relating to Egyptian
archaeology. Work undertaken in 1, 2 and 3 may inform
(but not replicate) that of the Dissertation.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed in 1, 2 and 3 through the
preparation of critical essays and an oral examination. 3
may also include other forms of assessment, such as
practical reports and tests, depending on the particular
course chosen. 4 is assessed by means of a 15,000
word Dissertation.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Critical perspectives.
Analysis and interpretation.
Organisation and presentation.
Planning and design.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
All courses feature regular assessment of student’s
performance and abilities, principally through the
preparation of essays. These are designed to encourage
students to access new information, collate potentially
large sources of information and to select those sources
which best represent the view which they wish to
propose. Students are also encouraged to construct and
test arguments through the regular seminars that are
held. The Dissertation encourages the student to search
for new data, either through primary analysis of material
or through reviews of publications, including work in
disciplines associated with archaeology (particularly
anthropology and history).
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Assessment:
Through critical essays and through the Dissertation.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Identify and access a wide range of
resources (library and otherwise).
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Through tackling essay questions which require a
breadth of reading, critical analysis, and review, students
will develop their own skills in processing raw
information and producing coherent assessments of that
data. Preparation for seminars will also require the
development of skills associated with organisation and
presentation. These skills will all be enhanced by the
15,000 word Dissertation.
Apply new ideas and methods to
Egyptian material.
Develop skills in a particular area of
analysis, presentation or study.
Communicate effectively in verbal and
written presentations.
Assessment:
Essays assessing critical skills, presentations, oral
examination, and the Dissertation.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Identify, transfer, and apply ideas and
practice from one context to another.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
These skills will be developed through the operation of
the core and optional courses, and through
presentations, seminars, and supervisions. In order to
succeed in essay and dissertation production and
preparation for group seminars, the student must
develop and harness this range of skills.
Critically evaluate source material.
Identify and access rare or remote
sources of information.
Effectively create and communicate
ideas.
Organise and produce work to a defined
schedule.
Collaborate with other students to enable
more effective processing of resources.
Use computers and other practical skills
developed from personal research
schemes.
Assessment:
Assessed critical essays, individual project-work and the
Dissertations, oral examination. Peer interaction and
assessments in seminar contexts.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
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departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the
College and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Date of production:
Date of review:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
Dr Richard Bussmann
08.04.03
October 2015
October 2015
October 2015
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