Archaeology PhD following Museum Studies MA? & General advice?
Hi,
I'm currently on a BA Archaeology course and aim to continue into postgraduate study, however, I'm torn between taking an MA in Archaeology or Museum Studies.
I'd love to work in the museum sector and after research that I've done into working within the sector, and advice given at my university, it seems an MA in Museum Studies is a very good idea. However, I'd also like the option to pursue work outside of museum work such as commercial archaeology etc. but this work generally seems to demand MA Archaeology.
Basically, I hoped that taking MA Museum Studies would open me up to museum work while a PhD in Archaeology would allow me to keep that work archaeological whilst also allowing me to pursue other archaeological work. But I'm not sure I'd get accepted on an Archaeology PhD with MA Museum Studies (wouldn't they only want MA Archaeology?)
Also, I'm aware that I may not end up doing a PhD and if that's the case I'm afraid that a Museum Studies MA would help me work in museums but stop me working in archaeology and an Archaeology MA would help me work in professional archaeology but not in museums.
I also know that they are both very competitive areas to find work in.
If anyone has any advice for me concerning which might be the best to take, and on whether I'd be accepted in an Archaeology PhD with an MA in Museum Studies, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!
I'm currently on a BA Archaeology course and aim to continue into postgraduate study, however, I'm torn between taking an MA in Archaeology or Museum Studies.
I'd love to work in the museum sector and after research that I've done into working within the sector, and advice given at my university, it seems an MA in Museum Studies is a very good idea. However, I'd also like the option to pursue work outside of museum work such as commercial archaeology etc. but this work generally seems to demand MA Archaeology.
Basically, I hoped that taking MA Museum Studies would open me up to museum work while a PhD in Archaeology would allow me to keep that work archaeological whilst also allowing me to pursue other archaeological work. But I'm not sure I'd get accepted on an Archaeology PhD with MA Museum Studies (wouldn't they only want MA Archaeology?)
Also, I'm aware that I may not end up doing a PhD and if that's the case I'm afraid that a Museum Studies MA would help me work in museums but stop me working in archaeology and an Archaeology MA would help me work in professional archaeology but not in museums.
I also know that they are both very competitive areas to find work in.
If anyone has any advice for me concerning which might be the best to take, and on whether I'd be accepted in an Archaeology PhD with an MA in Museum Studies, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!
The way to get into commercial archaeology is through digging rather than more qualifications. Unless you're aiming to be a specialist in a particular area like geophys, environmental, finds etc., you'd probably be better served trying to get more practical excavation experience rather than more qualifications. In some cases, anything beyond an undergrad degree is viewed with slight suspicion. If you want to work as an excavator, then a Masters or PhD won't necessarily help you.
An MA in Museum Studies would certainly help make you an attractive candidate in a shrinking employment field. On the other hand, you'll find yourself competing with people who have both Masters-level qualifications (and above) as well as professional experience. If you can pair a Masters with some work experience (which will most probably be voluntary and unpaid), this might help. Again, a PhD isn't going to make you a more attractive candidate unless you can get some practical experience.
As to whether you'd be accepted for an archaeology PhD from a Musuem Studies Masters, this would depend on what you want to research and whether you can self-fund. The last stats I saw, pointed to the AHRC (the main source of PhD funding in Archaeology) funding only 100 competitive fully-funded PhDs across the entire UK. The chances of landing one of those is very remote, but is always worth trying if you see a project which appeals to you. Funding (or the lack of it) is something which might narrow your options. Generally, a funded PhD will be looking for someone who has a demonstrable interest and/or previous experience in the field of research which it covers - its essentially like applying for a job. A Museum Studies MA may or may not help, depending on the funded project you;re applying for.
Do you have an idea about what field you want to specialise in? If you can self-fund, then it's a matter of finding the academics who are the best to supervise you, and then convincing them that you're a good bet. I suspect that in both cases, they will be looking for some kind of link from your Masters to the research subject.
As a guide, I spent three years looking for a funded PhD in my field of archaeology. In all that time there has been one, which was won by someone with both a Masters and five years of professional experience in the specialist topic.
An MA in Museum Studies would certainly help make you an attractive candidate in a shrinking employment field. On the other hand, you'll find yourself competing with people who have both Masters-level qualifications (and above) as well as professional experience. If you can pair a Masters with some work experience (which will most probably be voluntary and unpaid), this might help. Again, a PhD isn't going to make you a more attractive candidate unless you can get some practical experience.
As to whether you'd be accepted for an archaeology PhD from a Musuem Studies Masters, this would depend on what you want to research and whether you can self-fund. The last stats I saw, pointed to the AHRC (the main source of PhD funding in Archaeology) funding only 100 competitive fully-funded PhDs across the entire UK. The chances of landing one of those is very remote, but is always worth trying if you see a project which appeals to you. Funding (or the lack of it) is something which might narrow your options. Generally, a funded PhD will be looking for someone who has a demonstrable interest and/or previous experience in the field of research which it covers - its essentially like applying for a job. A Museum Studies MA may or may not help, depending on the funded project you;re applying for.
Do you have an idea about what field you want to specialise in? If you can self-fund, then it's a matter of finding the academics who are the best to supervise you, and then convincing them that you're a good bet. I suspect that in both cases, they will be looking for some kind of link from your Masters to the research subject.
As a guide, I spent three years looking for a funded PhD in my field of archaeology. In all that time there has been one, which was won by someone with both a Masters and five years of professional experience in the specialist topic.
Original post by Klix88
The way to get into commercial archaeology is through digging rather than more qualifications. Unless you're aiming to be a specialist in a particular area like geophys, environmental, finds etc., you'd probably be better served trying to get more practical excavation experience rather than more qualifications. In some cases, anything beyond an undergrad degree is viewed with slight suspicion. If you want to work as an excavator, then a Masters or PhD won't necessarily help you.
An MA in Museum Studies would certainly help make you an attractive candidate in a shrinking employment field. On the other hand, you'll find yourself competing with people who have both Masters-level qualifications (and above) as well as professional experience. If you can pair a Masters with some work experience (which will most probably be voluntary and unpaid), this might help. Again, a PhD isn't going to make you a more attractive candidate unless you can get some practical experience.
As to whether you'd be accepted for an archaeology PhD from a Musuem Studies Masters, this would depend on what you want to research and whether you can self-fund. The last stats I saw, pointed to the AHRC (the main source of PhD funding in Archaeology) funding only 100 competitive fully-funded PhDs across the entire UK. The chances of landing one of those is very remote, but is always worth trying if you see a project which appeals to you. Funding (or the lack of it) is something which might narrow your options. Generally, a funded PhD will be looking for someone who has a demonstrable interest and/or previous experience in the field of research which it covers - its essentially like applying for a job. A Museum Studies MA may or may not help, depending on the funded project you;re applying for.
Do you have an idea about what field you want to specialise in? If you can self-fund, then it's a matter of finding the academics who are the best to supervise you, and then convincing them that you're a good bet. I suspect that in both cases, they will be looking for some kind of link from your Masters to the research subject.
As a guide, I spent three years looking for a funded PhD in my field of archaeology. In all that time there has been one, which was won by someone with both a Masters and five years of professional experience in the specialist topic.
An MA in Museum Studies would certainly help make you an attractive candidate in a shrinking employment field. On the other hand, you'll find yourself competing with people who have both Masters-level qualifications (and above) as well as professional experience. If you can pair a Masters with some work experience (which will most probably be voluntary and unpaid), this might help. Again, a PhD isn't going to make you a more attractive candidate unless you can get some practical experience.
As to whether you'd be accepted for an archaeology PhD from a Musuem Studies Masters, this would depend on what you want to research and whether you can self-fund. The last stats I saw, pointed to the AHRC (the main source of PhD funding in Archaeology) funding only 100 competitive fully-funded PhDs across the entire UK. The chances of landing one of those is very remote, but is always worth trying if you see a project which appeals to you. Funding (or the lack of it) is something which might narrow your options. Generally, a funded PhD will be looking for someone who has a demonstrable interest and/or previous experience in the field of research which it covers - its essentially like applying for a job. A Museum Studies MA may or may not help, depending on the funded project you;re applying for.
Do you have an idea about what field you want to specialise in? If you can self-fund, then it's a matter of finding the academics who are the best to supervise you, and then convincing them that you're a good bet. I suspect that in both cases, they will be looking for some kind of link from your Masters to the research subject.
As a guide, I spent three years looking for a funded PhD in my field of archaeology. In all that time there has been one, which was won by someone with both a Masters and five years of professional experience in the specialist topic.
Thanks for your reply, it's really helpful, especially concerning information about Archaeology PhDs.
I've been finding it a bit difficult to know whether a postgrad qualification in archaeology would help in the field of commercial archaeology because many people have said experience is what matters whilst I've had lecturers tell me that you wont be able to work in commercial archaeology without postgrad qualifications.
I'll definitely keep doing as much voluntary work as I can on top of what I've already done to build up that experience.
I think my main issue is that I'm torn between trying to pursue museum work or professional archaeology and would like to take a path that can allow me to do either if that's possible.
Original post by Obloblob
I think my main issue is that I'm torn between trying to pursue museum work or professional archaeology and would like to take a path that can allow me to do either if that's possible.
It's a difficult situation to be in, because postgrad is where you start to narrow your focus and become more specialist. It's quite difficult to remain a generalist and keep your options open like that.
Maybe you could find a Masters which combines a practical field archaeology approach with a post-ex element in the taught modules? You might then be able to tailor your dissertation more towards museums, conservation or collections management which could keep your options open.
There's also the option of an MRes rather than a taught Masters. This would be a largely independent research project, with a minimal number of taught modules. Essentially an extended dissertation. If you can find a way of designing a research project which combines both practical archaeology AND the museums aspects, it might be a way forward.
A PhD really is the sharpest end of academia and you'll definitely be expected to have a very specific interest to research. I'm not sure how you'd go about keeping your options open at that point.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Klix88
The last stats I saw, pointed to the AHRC (the main source of PhD funding in Archaeology) funding only 100 competitive fully-funded PhDs across the entire UK.
It's about 35 per year according to their website:
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Postgraduate-funding/BGPs/Pages/Doctoral-studentships.aspx
Original post by maskofsanity
It's about 35 per year according to their website:
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Postgraduate-funding/BGPs/Pages/Doctoral-studentships.aspx
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Postgraduate-funding/BGPs/Pages/Doctoral-studentships.aspx
Ouch!
Don't forget that there are also the collaborative doctoral partnerships as they are now, offered by the AHRC. Means you're in the academic and museum/archive/whatever the site is environment at the same time.
They have their disadvantages but are becoming more common and dependent on subject you might be ok as long as you had the knowledge for the subject area.They're know organised with the site of placement first, univiersity second so keep an eye out.
PM me if you want the honest opinion of them though
They have their disadvantages but are becoming more common and dependent on subject you might be ok as long as you had the knowledge for the subject area.They're know organised with the site of placement first, univiersity second so keep an eye out.
PM me if you want the honest opinion of them though
Original post by Obloblob
x
Sorry that this thread is a bit old, but I'm in a similar dilemma to you, OP! I can't decide whether to go down the Archaeology or Museum Studies route next year.
I know that I want to give working in the museum sector a shot, and have quite a bit of experience in this area. However, I'm pretty sure that what I want to do is curate, however I'm not sure how relevant a MA in Museum Studies will be to this. There's also the issue that my undergraduate degree is in (modern) history, so I'm really worried that if I were to go straight into museum studies, I wouldn't be taken seriously in the subject area I'm most interested in (Medieval Archaeology and history).
I have managed to find an ideal course at Cambridge, though! It's an MPhil in Archaeology, in which I could focus on medieval archaeology and also do part of it on museums. However there's still the issue that I'd be coming out with an archaeology qualification rather than a museum studies one, which I'm afraid might end up being an issue in such a competitive industry.
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