Master in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
- About the programme
- Programme structure
- Entry requirements
- Tuition fees & scholarships
| • 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. This programme is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation. |
| • Admission deadline: | 29 August 2025 |
| • Interview dates: | TBA |
The Master Degree Programme in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, offers an innovative approach to the study of Archaeology and Heritage, that is based on new technologies and experiential learning.
This Master programme was developed to cater to the need of addressing current challenges in the field of Archaeology, which is at the core of other disciplines including earth sciences, materials science, digital technologies, conservation sciences etc.., and therefore offers broader professional opportunities for the programme’s graduates. It is designed to cover the areas of Archaeology, Heritage, and other related disciplines, hence, provides students with a 360-degree overview of these fields.
This programme is multidisciplinary, yet, it gives priority to Archaeology and Heritage with particular focus on the challenges faced in Abu Dhabi and the Emirates in general.
Its unique curriculum and mode of delivery, with each semester alternating between lectures and fieldwork practice (internship), reflects on the scholarly and practical nature of archaeological and heritage work. In Fall Semesters, lessons are delivered by local and visiting professors, including museum professionals, archaeologists, geologists, scientists such as physicists who are also specialists in their fields. In Spring Semesters, in the first year students will participate in an Academic Archaeological Project in the Emirate of Dubai which is developed by the Department of Archaeology and History of Art of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, while in their second year, students will conduct their mandatory internship in partners institutions, in the UAE or abroad (depending on the level of language proficiency of the candidates).
Students will therefore have the opportunity to acquire broad, deep knowledge and practical skills in Archaeology and Heritage both on the field and in labs, this is complimented with a scientific background strong enough to develop their critical thinking and to providing them with innovative problem solving skills to analyse, preserve and manage archaeological/historical sites as well as culture material.
The Master Degree Programme in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage aims to train competent professionals in the areas of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage management, conservation, and valorization to face the new challenges and the technological revolution that such fields are currently experiencing. Graduates of this programme will be able to support not only the immediate needs of museums and cultural organizations, heritage collections and sites, but will also, be able to provide cutting-edge solutions to managing and preserving them in the medium and long run.
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
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 |
|
- 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 Minimum EmSAT English score of 1400 with a validity of 18 months or Native English speaker who completed 3 full years in an English-medium institution within a maximum period of 3 years
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.
|
• 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
