Archaeology

The aim of the MSc degree is to offer advanced professional training at the postgraduate level in the field of African archaeology of all periods and rock art studies, and to promote inter-disciplinary exchange between various arts and science disciplines.

Overview

Why study Archaeology at Wits?

With a strong tradition in both teaching and research, the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies is ideally placed to prepare students for the profession of archaeology on the African continent.

The Wits Archaeology department was recently rated number 38 in the world, and 1st on the African continent in the QS World University rankings. Our department includes a diverse, research active and passionate faculty and post-graduate cohort working on southern African sites and collections spanning millions of years. Wits Archaeology prides itself on practicing multidisciplinary research and applying contemporary analyses to a diverse range of archaeological materials derived from active excavations and extensive collections.

The School is interested in attracting students from all over the world who will be able to participate in research work in a country that is undergoing rapid transformation and change.

Part-time students are not eligible for bursary funding from the university. Students registered for the part-time degree and who are employed on a full-time basis are strongly encouraged to negotiate a regular period of time off to consult with their supervisor, visit the library to collect readings and to do research.

Curriculum

Research only.

Entry Requirements

  • A Bachelor of Science with Honours from Wits or another university.
  • A graduate of this or another university who holds a degree in another faculty whose curriculum has ordinarily extended over not less than four academic years of full-time study.

Applications for admission are considered throughout the year. For admission to a Masters degree the applicant should normally have at least 65% in Archaeology Honours. Students from other institutions, according to the discretion of the supervisor and the Head of School, may need to take some courses along with conducting research for their Masters degree. Please note that students applying from outside of the University of the Witwatersrand will be required to submit examples of written work before their application will be considered.

All applications go through the Student Enrolment Centre before being screened by members of the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies. It is advisable for prospective candidates from outside of Wits to contact the school before applying in order to determine if a suitable supervisor can be assigned in the school.

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process. Refer to Wits Postgraduate Online Applications Guide for detailed guidelines. 
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. The University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities available to Wits postgraduate students. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.