MA Archaeology: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees
MA Archaeology is a two year postgraduate program that deals with the study of the human past using material remains. These remains can be any objects that people created, modified, or used. Portable remains are usually called artefacts. Artefacts include tools, clothing, and decorations. MA Archaeology jobs after post-graduation include Archaeologists, Conservationists, Curators, Teachers Research Associates, etc.
Table of Contents
- About MA Archaeology
- Eligibility Criteria for MA Archaeology
- Who Should Pursue a MA Archaeology Course?
- How To Get Admission for MA Archaeology?
- Types of MA Archaeology Courses
- Popular Entrance Exams for MA Archaeology
- Top MA Archaeology Colleges in India
- Study MA Archaeology Abroad
- Fee Structure for MA Archaeology
- Syllabus and Subjects for MA Archaeology
- Why Choose MA Archaeology Course?
- MA Archaeology Course Comparison
- Preparation Tips for MA Archaeology Course
- Scope For Higher Education
- Salary of a MA Archaeology Graduate
- Career Options After MA Archaeology Graduation
- Skills That Make You The Best MA Archaeology Graduate
MA Archaeology Course Details
| Degree | Masters |
| Full Form | Master of Arts in Archaeology |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Age | No Age Limit |
| Entrance Exam | CET, PET |
| Subjects Required | English |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% in UG Degree |
| Average Fees | ₹50K PA |
| Average Salary | INR 2.5 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Archaeologists, Conservationists, Curators, Teachers Research Associates, etc. |
About MA Archaeology
MA Archaeology courses are composed of many artistic disciplines and offer various subject combinations to candidates to choose from apart from compulsory subjects. The MA Archaeology syllabus covers all the related topics for the field and gives rigorous training to the students. MA Archaeology duration is 2 years. MA Archaeology is the holder of a master’s degree awarded for a postgraduate program in the arts. This course falls under the umbrella of MA Course.
Eligibility Criteria for MA Archaeology
MA Archaeology eligibility includes students having to successfully pass their higher secondary examinations (10+2) from a recognized education board with any stream. In addition, many colleges and universities conduct entrance exams for students to be eligible for the course. In comparison, other colleges require students to have scored a minimum of 50% in their 12th exams.
There is no age limit to applying for this course. For MA Archaeology course admission, the students need to know the eligibility criteria and all the MA Archaeology course details.
Who Should Pursue a MA Archaeology Course?
The MA Archaeology course is for those aspirants that want to set up a career in Archaeology. 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. Those that want to pursue a career in Archaeology research can enrol for the MA Archaeology course.
When To Do MA Archaeology Course?
Typically, it makes sense for MA Archaeology aspirants to apply for their respective courses immediately after completing their undergraduate degree. However, students from any stream can apply for a MA Archaeology course.
How To Get Admission for MA Archaeology?
MA Archaeology admission is possible through both entrance examination and merit-based selection. Many universities offer direct and entrance exam-based admission to the MA Archaeology course. Candidates applying for the MA Archaeology degree should have their results from the respective entrance exams boards required by the selected/opted universities.
Though the admission process varies from college to college, below are the steps that one should generally go through to get admission.
How to Apply?
The MA Archaeology degree course applications are available either online from the university website or offline by visiting the university's admissions office. In addition, some colleges may conduct interviews before admissions to check if students have good communication skills.
Candidates applying for the Master of Arts in Archaeology program should have all the necessary documents before the entrance test, such as class 12 results and ID verification.
Selection Process
The selection process for the courses under MA Archaeology in India is usually the same irrespective of the specialisation. Generally, once the application for the course is received, colleges decide on the final selection of the candidates based on the marks obtained by them in the entrance exams. Additionally, the merit obtained by the candidates in their postgraduate degrees also plays an important role.
Types of MA Archaeology Courses
Aspirants can pursue the MA Archaeology course in the full-time, distance or part-time mode. Below are the types of MA Archaeology courses in detail:
Full-Time MA Archaeology
The full-time MA Archaeology program is typically for 2 years, where students will have to attend classes in person, submit assignments, and write their exams on-campus. The advantage of a full-time MA Archaeology course is that students will gain a lot more exposure, experience and knowledge through direct interaction with their peers and faculty.
Part-Time MA Archaeology
The part-time MA Archaeology course is designed for students who cannot attend regular classes. Part-time courses either entail weekend or night classes or online classes, depending on the type of course. The advantage of the part-time MA Archaeology course is that students can pursue this course while simultaneously being engaged in employment, research, etc.
Distance MA Archaeology
Many universities and colleges in India offer the Distance learning MA Archaeology course. The course is designed keeping the Distance Education methodology in mind.
This course is designed for students who cannot afford to attend classes on-campus or those engaged in some form of employment and cannot take time out to pursue a full-time course.
Popular Entrance Exams for MA Archaeology
Entrance exams are a common and popular means for some colleges to have a screening to decide which student must be admitted to the course. Many popular colleges around the country have made a name for themselves by conducting internationally acclaimed research projects.
These colleges often conduct entrance exams, as the demand to enter these colleges is higher than the number of seats available. Listed below are some of the popular exams:
- BHU PET
- CET
- PET
A Quick Glance at the MA Archaeology Entrance Exams
Students can access the MA Archaeology course details by going to the college's official website to which they are interested in applying. The specialisation plays a vital role in the college's approach to the entrance exam. Below listed are some of the general guidelines of the MA Archaeology entrance examinations:
- The exam pattern includes English, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Thinking, and subject-specific questions according to the specialisation.
- The papers are objective and MCQ-based.
- The syllabus, mode of examination, and question pattern may change according to a university/conducting body.
Top MA Archaeology Colleges in India
India is home to some of the MA Archaeology colleges in the world. Aspirants have many options to choose from in terms of the best MA Archaeology course as per their preferences. Depending on the type of MA Archaeology programs offered, candidates will have to make the appropriate choice.
Below is the list of the 10 best MA Archaeology Colleges in the country:
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Top MA Archaeology Colleges in New Delhi
India’s capital city is home to some of the best institutions for MA Archaeology in India. Check the table below for the top MA Archaeology colleges in New Delhi:
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Top MA Archaeology Colleges in Pune
Pune also has some of the best institutions for MA Archaeology in India. Check the table below for the top MA Archaeology in Mumbai University:
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Top MA Archaeology Colleges in Chennai
Tamil Nadu’s capital city is home to some of the premier institutions for MA Archaeology in India. Check the table below for the best MA Archaeology colleges in Chennai:
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Top MA Archaeology Colleges in Bangalore
The capital city of Karnataka is renowned around the country for colleges offering top MA Archaeology programmes. Check the table below for the best MA Archaeology colleges in India:
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Top MA Archaeology Colleges in Kolkata
West Bengal’s capital city, Kolkata, has some of the best colleges for MA Archaeology courses in India. Check the table below for the best MA Archaeology colleges in Kolkata:
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Top MA Archaeology Colleges in Hyderabad
The Telangana state capital has some premier institutions in the country for MA Archaeology courses in India. Check the table below for the top MA Archaeology colleges in Hyderabad:
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Study MA Archaeology Abroad
Students can opt to study a MA Archaeology course abroad if they can afford it. The MA Archaeology course abroad is for 2 years. The benefits of studying a MA Archaeology course abroad are access to some of the best resources, facilities, and faculties, apart from worldwide exposure in terms of subject matter and other cultures.
In addition, MA Archaeology is one of the best courses to study abroad because of its diversity. Below are some of the top MA Archaeology colleges abroad and the relevant fees structure:
Top MA Archaeology Colleges Abroad
The table below contains the list of the some of the best colleges abroad for MA Archaeology:
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Institution |
Fees PA |
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USD 3320 |
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USD 4690 |
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USD 2670 |
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USD 4722 |
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USD 1501 |
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USD 4650 |
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USD 2538 |
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USD 3160 |
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USD 3346 |
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Columbia University |
USD 5105 |
Top MA Archaeology Colleges in USA
The USA is home to some of the best universities and colleges offering top-notch MA Archaeology programmes in the world. The table below contains the list of top MA Archaeology colleges in the USA:
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Top MA Archaeology Colleges in the UK
The UK has institutions that date back to the 13th century. This makes the UK one of the best destinations for pursuing a MA Archaeology. The table below shows the top colleges in the UK for MA Archaeology:
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Top MA Archaeology Colleges in Canada
Known as the ‘Great White North’, Canada is one of the most sought after destinations for MA Archaeology programmes in the world:
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Top MA Archaeology Colleges in Australia
Known as the ‘Land Down Under’, Australia has emerged as one of the top destinations for higher studies for many students. The list of top MA Archaeology colleges in Australia are as follows:
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Fee Structure for MA Archaeology
The MA Archaeology course fee is not fixed and depends on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the MA Archaeology fees include location, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the facilities available to the students. The average MA Archaeology course fee in India is around INR 2,000 - 40,000 PA.
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Name of the College |
Total Fee Structure (INR) |
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St Stephens College, Delhi University, New Delhi |
35,000 PA |
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Miranda House, Delhi University |
36,000 PA |
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Madras Christian College, [MCC] Chennai |
26,000 PA |
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Loyola College, Chennai |
33,000 PA |
Syllabus and Subjects for MA Archaeology
The course syllabus included in the curriculum of some of the most popular MA Archaeology courses are listed below. The crux of the syllabus is maintained throughout most colleges across the nation, although minor deviations may be observed for a few colleges. Listed below are some subjects that the students get a chance to study:
- Political history of ancient India 319 AD
- Ancient Indian administration and polity
- Political history of ancient India (319-1200 AD )
- Science and technology in ancient India
- Ancient Indian society
Read More: MA Archaeology Syllabus and Subjects
Why Choose MA Archaeology Course?
When students decide to pursue the MA Archaeology qualification, they should research MA Archaeology course details to ensure that they know the course they are enrolled in. Some of the common queries that students encounter are, "What is MA Archaeology" and "Why MA Archaeology?". To understand the answer to these questions, we can make it simpler by breaking it down into the following three short questions:
What is MA Archaeology All About?
A MA Archaeology course is a postgraduate arts degree awarded to students, usually in a branch of Archaeology. The Master of Arts in Archaeology degree is one of the oldest and most popular programs globally. MA Archaeology degree is a mix of many subjects that allows candidates to adapt to the changing demands of the employer and meet their needs. The MA Archaeology course enhances the candidates’ communication, research, and analytical skills.
What Does a MA Archaeology Graduate Do?
Students can select the subjects of their choice depending on their interest in job prospects available in the specific field. Since graduates with a Master of Arts in Archaeology degree possess skills in various subjects, there are career opportunities available in multiple fields for them. In addition, there are many responsibilities that graduates of this role have to undertake, which makes the role very dynamic and diverse.
Archeologists: Archaeologists are individuals who work in the field and dedicate their time and efforts into excavating various sites and places to procure artefacts to develop, set a chronological order of past events and to develop information on past civilizations and cultures.
Reasons Why MA Archaeology Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?
MA Archaeology course is a very reflective and exciting stream of education. Students can gauge the intrinsic worth of a MA Archaeology course because it offers more avenues of employment opportunities than any other stream. Thus, the MA Archaeology job scope is forever widening and appealing.
Diversity in Job roles: There is a diverse range of job roles available for the graduates of this course. Since the specialisations available to the students are very flexible, it enables the students to pursue a wide range of roles in their careers.
Read More: MA Archaeology Jobs & Scope
MA Archaeology Course Comparison
MA Archaeology stands for Master of Arts in Archaeology and is typically catered to students interested in and inclined towards Archaeology. Below is a comparison of the MA Archaeology course with other courses:
MA Archaeology vs MA Ancient History
The table below showcases the differences between MA Archaeology and MA Ancient History:
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Course |
MA Archaeology |
MA Ancient History |
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Full Form |
Master of Arts in Archaeology |
Master of Arts in Ancient History |
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Stream |
Arts and Humanities |
Arts and Humanities |
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Course Duration |
2 years |
2 years |
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Eligibility |
10+2 in any stream with 50% aggregate |
10+2 in any stream with 50% aggregate |
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Entrance Exams |
IPU CET, BHU UET, JSAT, TISS NET, DU JAT |
IPU CET, BHU UET, JSAT, TISS NET, DU JAT |
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Top Colleges |
St. Xavier’s College, Christ University, Presidency College Chennai |
St. Xavier’s College, Christ University, Presidency College Chennai |
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Fees |
INR 2,000 - 40,000 LPA |
INR 2,000 - 1 LPA |
Preparation Tips for MA Archaeology Course
There are many tips that students must note when deciding to pursue a MA Archaeology degree. Some important preparation tips are listed below to ensure that the students crack the course and pass the exams without any hurdles.
Improve Vocabulary: Improving vocabulary is very necessary as the MA Archaeology course deals with many writing and reading activities. So having excellent communication and writing skills are a plus for the student studying the MA Archaeology course.
Read and Practice More: Being up to date with the syllabus every day is very important. Practising and reading more will help the student be thorough with the syllabus and do well in the exams.
Have Intrinsic Knowledge and Interest in Subjects: Having intrinsic knowledge about the subject and having the same interest will keep the student motivated to learn more than what's in the syllabus.
Revise Methodically: Revising from time to time can be a key to scoring well in the final exam. Keep revising regularly and understand the subject properly. Revision is the key to scoring good marks.
Scope For Higher Education
Students can pursue many specialisations under MA Archaeology. There are also many higher study options available for graduate students after a MA Archaeology degree, which can help them better understand the subject. Also, gaining more education can help the students pursue a career in research if they are interested in it. Listed below are some of the popular higher education options available for students:
- PhD Archaeology
- M.Phil Archaeology
Salary of a MA Archaeology Graduate
The MA Archaeology salary for the graduates can differ according to the specialisation that the aspirants decide to pursue. Other factors that can affect MA Archaeology salary in India include experience, geography, and the industry they are working in.
Graduates can increase their salary by doing internships and work placements as it would add to their experiences. The average MA Archaeology jobs salary for graduates is around INR 1 - 5 LPA [Source: PayScale].
Read More: MA Archaeology Salary
Career Options After MA Archaeology Graduation
There are plenty of jobs available for students looking for a career in Archaeology. The job roles will differ based on the specialisation that one has opted for. MA Archaeology graduates have abundant job opportunities with good salary packages that include the following fields:
- Archaeologists
- Conservationists
- Curators
- Teachers and Research Associates, etc.
Skills That Make You The Best MA Archaeology Graduate
There are many complex and soft skills that MA Archaeology graduates need to possess to succeed in their careers. These are not necessarily skills that students can get in a classroom setting. Instead, these are skills that are learned through experience.
Therefore, students should always put in the effort to go out of their comfort zone and gain as much experience as possible. Some of these skills include:
- Quantitative Analysis Skills
- Research Skills
- Analytical Skills
- The Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Interpersonal Skills
