Master in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
- About the programme
- Programme structure
- Entry & graduation requirements
- Tuition fees & scholarships
- Career prospects
| • Programme duration: | 2 years |
| • Delivery language: | English |
| • Degree awarded: | Master in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage |
| • Accreditation: | The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris. This programme is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation. |
| • Admission deadline: | 29 August 2025 |
| • Interview dates: | TBA |
The Master in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris and delivered by world-class academics in Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. The programme aims to enhance the skills of professionals in the fields of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage through providing them with both theoretical and practical know-how in archaeology and current heritage related topics.
Through a unique curriculum, this master programme provides students with a solid understanding of archaeological and cultural valorisation, field and laboratory archaeology, sites and material culture records theory, the technology involved in collections, storage and management of artifacts, management of cultural sites, as well as archiving standards. It prepares graduates to manage all aspects of heritage, archaeology and arts broadening their spectrum of learning, which also makes the discipline more relevant to emerging needs of the job market in the area.
The programme is delivered by visiting professors coming from the Department of History of Art and Archaeology at Sorbonne University (Paris) and professors from Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, as well as archaeologists, museum professionals, geomaticians, geographers, and scientists working in the field of Heritage. Students enrolling in this programme will benefit from a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning and the expertise of the world-renowned academics delivering the course in all aspects including; theoretical courses, practical case studies, project management, lectures, seminars, as well as fieldwork and internships.
The Master in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage is the only degree of its kind in the UAE.
This Master programme in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage aims to address current challenges in these fields; it was specifically designed to meet the demand in the UAE for archaeologists and cultural heritage management specialists who possess broad knowledge and sharp fieldwork competencies.
Networking
This is a unique programme and thorough admission and selection criteria have been put in place to guarantee the quality students joining the programme and to maintain the set quality of standards of this degree. The programme is delivered in small class sizes with high caliber students of different nationalities, this will also enable students to expand their personal network with high profile potential peers
International recognition & accreditation
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi offers the combined experience of Sorbonne University and Université Paris Cité in academic excellence. The programme is therefore accredited in France, subject to approval by the CAA in the UAE and is recognised globally.
Enhancing individual & national development
Within the next decade, the UAE is poised to dedicate its focus towards socioeconomic sustainability, hence, the programme is crucial in creating and encouraging a new generation passionate about research in Humanities, particularly in Archaeology and Heritage, to support the UAE’s rapid and ambitious progress.
The Master in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage has been developed by Sorbonne University in consultancy with local public organisations active in these fields to ensure that it matches market needs and national aspirations.
The curriculum of the Master in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage programme was developed in response to Abu Dhabi’s valuing of culture and heritage, and more broadly to the Emirates’ desire to emphasize further developments for Sustainable Heritage.
Typical delivery format of the courses*
M1 and M2
| Day | Evening |
|---|---|
| Monday | 4:30pm – 8:30pm |
| Tuesday | 4:30pm – 8:30pm |
| Wednesday | 4:30pm – 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 4:30pm – 8:30pm |
*This is the usual pattern of the courses, changes may sometimes occur. Some courses will take place over 5 days, from Sunday to Thursday 4:30-8:30
The Master in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage is taught in English and covers a total of four semesters across two years. At the end of this degree, students will have acquired a total of 120 ECTS credits. The exclusively designed course schedule includes evening classes in Semesters 1 and 3, and Application Seminars in Semesters 2 and 4, providing students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the previous semesters.
Year 1
| Modules | Courses |
|---|---|
| Archaeology and Civilisations-Cultural Areas 1 |
|
| Tools and Sciences for Archaeology 1 |
|
| From Sites to Cultural Heritage Management |
|
| Language |
|
| Internship Preparation |
|
| Application Seminar: Fieldwork Project |
|
| Processing Data and Ongoing Research |
|
| Scientific Report and Defense |
|
Year 2
| Modules | Courses |
|---|---|
| Archaeology and Civilisations-Cultural Areas 2 |
|
| Tools and Sciences for Archaeology 2 |
|
| From Sites to Cultural Heritage Management in the Emirates |
|
| Language |
|
| Internship Preparation |
|
| Application Seminar: Internship |
|
| Processing Data and Ongoing Research |
|
| Scientific Report and Defense |
|
Internship
The Master in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage has integrated a mandatory Application Seminar during each Spring semester. These internships will improve students’ critical thinking and reasoning abilities by blending academic theory with real life work experience.
In Master 1 (M1), they will have the opportunity to integrate a 4 week archaeological project conducted by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
In Master 2 (M2), students will do an 6 to 12 weeks internship at a partner’s institution, in the UAE or abroad depending on their wishes and level of language proficiency. Students will have the opportunity to join a museum or a cultural institution, or to work in an archaeological or heritage site.
By joining a professional work environment, students develop collaborative learning process and hence expand their professional network which can lead to enduring professional relationships and forge new career paths.
Master’s degree thesis
Students will be required to submit essays based on the mandatory Applications Seminars in Spring semesters. At the end of M1, students are expected to produce a scientific report based on the academic fieldwork they participate in, while an extended essay based on their internship in M2 will be the milestone concluding this master degree.
Admission to this master degree programme is highly selective and competitive where each applicant will be considered based on his/her own merit. The admission process ensures that every course has an ideal mix of people with talent, impressive interpersonal skills and a positive attitude.
General entry requirements
- Bachelor in a relevant field with a CGPA of 3 out of 4 or equivalent.
Candidates with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 (or equivalent scores as per the equivalency table) may be conditionally admitted under probation during the first semester. The student will be authorized to continue in the program only if they secure an average of at least 12 out of 20 which is obtained by the end of the first semester. The decision is based on academic performance and will be made official after the completion of the first semester
or Bachelor with minimum of 2nd class honours
or Bachelor with an average of 12 out of 20 - Bachelor students with a GPA below 3 may be admitted on the ground of their professional and/or personal experience, in case they are granted a VAPP by SU’s or UP’s VAPP commission
- IELTS certificate with minimum overall band of 6.0 with a validity of 2 years or TOEFL certificate with minimum score of 79 (or equivalent) with a validity of 2 years or Native English speaker who completed 3 full years in an English-medium institution within a maximum period of 3 years or equivalent
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an interview to assess the candidate’s motivation, career expectations and relevant professional experience in the degree area.
Applicants who earned their undergraduate degrees from universities outside the UAE must present a Certificate of Equivalency for their graduation certificates from the UAE Ministry of Education. Applicants, who are holders of undergraduate degrees issued by a licensed higher education institution in the UAE, are required to submit a copy of their degrees attested by the UAE Ministry of Education. For details on requirements, kindly visit the Ministry’s website: Ministry of Education.
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is committed to considering applications from all students regardless of their country of origin, income, gender, religion or physical condition.
Assessment & graduation requirements
Throughout the year, there will be frequent assessments and evaluations. Students will be evaluated on individual assignments, presentations, reports and examinations. Attendance to all classes is mandatory and it is important that students are punctual and observe university regulations at all times.
|
• Programme tuition fees (over 2 years): |
AED 166,400 (approximately US$ 45,344) |
|
• Payment of fees: |
Click here |
Scholarships*
25% academic excellence scholarship
New joiners are eligible to 25% scholarship on tuition starting from the 1st semester. To be eligible, applicants are required to meet one of the below criteria:
- Bachelor CGPA average of 3.6/4.0 and above, or equivalent
- Bachelor with Final Average of 15/20 above
- Bachelor with first class honors
- Candidates graduating as the top of class, despite the average
A minimum average of 14/20 is required to maintain the scholarship for the following semesters.
For programmes taught in English: an English Proficiency level with a minimum of 7.0 for IELTS or 94 for TOELF IB
Preferential rates
20% Alumni preferential rate
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi alumni are eligible to a 20% waiver on tuition fee.
25% preferential rate upon enrolment on a second master’s degree
Applicants holding a master degree from SUAD and enrolling for a second master degree at SUAD are entitled to a 25% waiver on tuition.
5%-15% corporate rate
Companies and organizations benefit from a special discount, based on the number of employees enrolling in programmes. For more details, please contact +971(0) 2-6569311
10% Family discount
Students who have a first-degree relative currently enrolled in an undergraduate or a postgraduate programmes are eligible for a 10% discount.
*Conditions apply
There are abundant rewarding career opportunities on local, regional and global levels in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, which require various areas of expertise and hence a variety of job opportunities.
At the end of this programme,graduates would have acquired technical skills and knowledge that are desirable to pursue a career as an Archaeologist, a Collections and Records Manager in cultural institutions, an Archaeological / Heritage Sites Manager, or as a Cultural Heritage and Archaeology consultant for private and public sectors.
