Entry Level Qualification
Graduate
Degree Course Entrance Exam
No Entrance Exam
Course Details
Master of Arts or MA in Archaeology is a two-year postgraduate programme where human history and prehistory is taught to the students with the help of the detailed analysis of the artefacts and excavation of sites.
Course Highlights
Check out the MA Archaeology course highlights from the table below:
Particulars | Details |
Name of Programme | Master of Arts in Archaeology |
Duration of Programme | 02 Years |
Level of Programme | Postgraduate |
Eligibility Criteria | BA in Archaeology or relevant discipline from any recognised University with a minimum overall aggregate of 50% |
Admission Process | Both entrance exam-based and merit-based admission process |
Average Programme Fee | INR 2,000/- to INR 40,000/- per annum |
Suitable Job Roles | Research Associates, Teachers, Curators, Archaeologists etc |
Average Starting Salary | INR 1 LPA to INR 6 LPA |
About Course
Master of Arts or MA in Archaeology is a two-year postgraduate programme where human history and prehistory is taught to the students with the help of the detailed analysis of the artefacts and excavation of sites. Appropriate training and education are imparted in the recovery, interpretation, and analysis of archaeological contexts and materials in addition to providing sufficient knowledge in one or multiple traditional cognate fields such as history, anthropology, art history, classics etc. through the MA Archaeology course. Patience is the key skill demanded in an archaeologist as it is normal for an archaeologist to spend immeasurable time in excavation sites and laboratories.
Why Choose Course And Required Skills
Master of Arts in Archaeology is an extensive course with special emphasis that includes field work and analysis. This degree is highly recommended to individuals who are dedicated and patient enough to conduct research and excavation for longer durations and are fascinated by the ancient knowledge of our past.
1. This course enables students to get in depth knowledge about India's glorious past and events that shaped the future.
2. Candidates interested in pursuing this degree can also be made aware of the extended disciplines of Archaeology such as conservation, preservation of heritage and artifacts as well as museum management
3. Candidates are also responsible for conducting their own individual research and excavation after getting prior permission from the authorities to construct a chronological sequence of past events.
4. Candidates are also taught various techniques and methods of research, excavation, recording and analysis of data and different sites.
5. Candidates after successful completion can be hired by various institutions as teachers and lecturers to impart knowledge to other budding archaeology enthusiasts.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a graduate in Archaeology or any relevant discipline from any recognised university with a minimum overall aggregate score of 50% to be eligible for MA Archaeology admission in a reputed institution.
Entrance Exams Details
Some institutions conducting entrance examinations for offering admission also conduct an additional personal interview round before publishing the final admission list. BHU PET is an example of an entrance examination conducted for MA Archaeology admission in Banaras Hindu University.
Degree Course Syllabus
The detailed syllabus for the MA Archaeology programme have been provided in the table below:
S.No | Particulars |
1st Semester | Ancient World History and Culture of India Ancient Indian Society Political History of Ancient India (319 AD to 1200 AD) Political History of Ancient India (Before 319 AD) |
2nd Semester | Major Archaeological Sites of India Early Historic Archaeology Ancient Indian Economy Science and Technology in Ancient India Ancient Indian Administration and Policy |
3rd Semester | Heritage Management Museology Pre-History of India Proto-History of India Elements of Ancient Indian Art Elements of Archaeological Studies Ancient Indian Numismatics Ancient Indian Epigraphy Historiography Electives |
4th Semester | Biological Anthropology South Asian Pre-History Maritime Archaeology Environmental Archaeology Elements of Ancient Indian Architecture Elements of Field Archaeology Study of Ancient Pottery Principles and Methods of Archaeology Concept and Methods of Tools in Ancient India |
Top Colleges
Here is the list of top colleges in India offering an MA in Archaeology:
Name of the college | Location |
Deccan college post graduate and research institute | Pune |
University of Calcutta | Kolkata |
Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi |
Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University | Udaipur |
Shivaji University | Kolhapur |
University of Lucknow | Lucknow |
St Xaviers College | Mumbai |
Top Recruiters And Salary
Top recruiting organizations prefer to hire MA Archaeology students in various job profiles mentioned below-
1. Heritage Managers
2. Conservationists
3. Lecturers/Professors
4. Museum Curators
Archaeology can result in an average salary of Rs.5 to 8 lakhs.
Course Scope And Career Options
Candidates who have completed their degree in MA Archaeology can opt for various disciplines and sub branches of this course
1. Due to an increase in demand for the preservation of our heritage, regional and national departments undertaking conservation projects require individuals who are well versed in the skills of Archaeology to assist them on various research initiatives and work.
2. Candidates can successfully seek employment as Archaeologists and conservationists with the famous Archaeological survey of India and can earn a fixed but attractive salary that is increased through promotions and experience in the field
3. Candidates can also work as research associates and teachers in leading learning colleges, universities and other facilities
4. Candidates can also work in the museums as managers and lead curators of museums and galleries.
Admission Process
Where there are some MA Archaeology institutions that conduct an entrance exam to offer admission, some institutions offer merit-based admission to the aspirants. In the merit-based admission process, the aspirants are given admission on the basis of their previous qualifying exam scores. In the entrance-based admission process, the eligible candidates are asked to appear in an entrance examination, either conducted by the institution or by the university to which the institute is affiliated. Some institutions conducting entrance examinations for offering admission also conduct an additional personal interview round before publishing the final admission list. BHU PET is an example of an entrance examination conducted for MA Archaeology admission in Banaras Hindu University.