• Duration: Two year 

• Medium: English

• Number of Credits: 60 credits 

• Lecturing: On Classroom & Distance Learning 

Admission Criteria

🏛️ Admission Requirements: Master's Programs

Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIAR), University of Kelaniya

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy one of the following academic criteria and fulfill the professional pre-requisites.

1. Academic Eligibility

Applicants must meet at least one of the following qualifications:

• Option A: A Bachelor’s Degree in Archaeology or History from a recognized University or UGC-approved institution.

• Option B: A Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline PLUS the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology offered by the PGIAR.

• Option C: A Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant discipline (e.g., Art History, Museology, Heritage, History, Archaeology, or Conservation Science) from a recognized institution.

• Option D: A Master of Arts (MA) degree by course-work awarded by a recognized University or UGC-approved institution.

• Option E: Any other equivalent qualification deemed acceptable by the Board of Studies and the Board of Management of the PGIAR.

2. Pre-requisites & Professional Conditions

In addition to academic qualifications, all candidates must fulfill the following:

• Professional Involvement: Demonstrate active involvement in archaeology or a related field at a professional level.

• Supporting Documentation: Provide evidence of professional work and submit two letters of recommendation from recognized professionals in archaeology or a related field.

• Selection Interview: All shortlisted candidates are required to attend an interview conducted by the PGIAR Graduate Review Committee.

📝 How to Apply

Ready to take the next step in your academic career? Follow the link below to access our application portal.

Note: Please ensure all supporting documents (degree certificates, transcripts, and recommendation letters) are ready for upload/submission.

The MSc. Degree consists of 8 compulsory course units; a compulsory field experience period of 30 days and the submission of a thesis of an approved topic:

Semester 1:

MSAR 61014 Archaeological thoughts / compulsory/ 4 credits

MSAR 61024 Advanced Epigraphy and Numismatics / compulsory/ 4 credits

MSAR 61034 Ancient technology / compulsory/ 4 credits

MSAR 61043 Managing Heritage / compulsory/ 3 credits

 Semester 2:

MSAR 62054 Methodologies for characterizing cultural materials / compulsory/ 4 credits

MSAR 62063 Mortuary Archaeology   / compulsory/ 3 credits

MSAR 62074 Advance Environmental Archaeology / compulsory/4 credits

MSAR 62084 Field Archaeology / compulsory/ 4 credits

MSFEP Field Experience Period: 20 days in the field doing site planning, field explorations, excavation, lab work, etc. /compulsory/ must complete before the end of the 2nd semester of the program.

Note: Fulltime participation of the 15-day Field School conducted by the PGIAR shall be counted in lieu of the 30-day Field Experience Period.  If a candidate fails to participate for the entire duration of the 15-day Field School conducted by the PGIAR, he/she will have to present other forms of evidence to demonstrate that the candidate has acquired the specific experiences as mentioned at 7.3.3 above. Such certification can come only from professionals approved by the Boards of Study of PGIAR.

Total number of credits earned by taught course units: 30

Number of credits earned by satisfactory completion of the MS thesis: 30

Total number of credits earned for the fulfillment of requirements for the award of the Master of Science Degree in Archaeology: 60 (30+30)