1. Special Bachelor’s Degree in archaeology with a second class or above,

or

2. Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline with successful completion of Postgraduate Diploma in archaeology with merit pass.

or

2. A merit pass at the relevant Postgraduate Diploma offered by PGIAR,

or

2.3. An ordinary pass in the Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology offered by the PGIAR and 3 years of professional field experience in Archaeology, or Heritage Management, or Museum or Conservation of Cultural Properties (Murals, or Artifacts).

3. Pre-requisites or other conditions pertaining to admission criteria:

Applicants must demonstrate satisfactorily their involvement in archaeology or in a related subject at professional level by submitting relevant documents and two letters of recommendation by recognized professionals in archaeology or the related field. Candidates are required to sit for an interview with the panel appointed by the Graduate Review Committee of PGIAR.

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:

Course structure details

Semester 1:

MSAR 61013 History of archaeological thought/ compulsory/ 3 credits

MSAR 61024 Field and lab methods in archaeology -1/ compulsory/ 4 credits

MSAR 61034 Themes and theories in contemporary archaeology / compulsory/ 4 credits

MSAR 61044 Ancient technology / compulsory/ 4 credits

Semester 2:

MSAR 62053 Managing heritage/ compulsory/ 3 credits

MSAR 62064 Field and lab methods in archaeology-2 / compulsory/ 4 credits

MSAR 62074 Advanced Epigraphy and Numismatics/ compulsory/4 credits

MSAR 62084 Mortuary Archaeology/ compulsory/ 4 credits


MSFEP Field Experience Period: 30 days in the field doing site planning, field explorations, excavation, lab work, etc. /compulsory/ must complete before the end of the 3rd semester of the program.

Note: Full-time participation in the 15-day Field School conducted by the PGIAR shall be counted in lieu of the 30-day Field Experience Period. If a candidate fail 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 fulfilment of requirements for the award of the Master of Science Degree in Archaeology: 60 (30+30)

The applications can be obtained from the Administration office of the PGIAR
Duly completed applications should be sent to:
    The Assistant Registrar,
    Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology
    407, Bauddhaloka Mawatha,
    Colombo 07.

Please indicate “MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN ARCHAEOLOGY” on the top left hand corner of the envelope.

Please forward the following along with your application;

• Certified copy of Birth certificate
• Certified copy of transcript of the degree
• Stamp size (3cm x 2 1/2 cm) two photographs

Application fee	Rs. 1500, International Candidate USD 20
Registration fee	Rs. 2000, International Candidate USD 25
Total Course Fee	Rs. 200,000, International Candidate USD 1500 (USD 1000+ USD 500)

The course fee can be paid in three installments. The first installment of Rs. 75,000 should be paid with the registration. The remaining amounts Rs. 70,000 must be paid before commencement of second academic year & Rs.55,000 must be paid before end of the second academic year.

*For the candidates who are currently working at permanent positions at Central Cultural Fund, Department of Archaeology and Department of National Museum are applicable to follow up below payment structure.

Master of Science [Course work & Research]               
Rs. 150,000.00[50000+50000+50000]

The course fee can be paid in three installments. The first installment of Rs. 50000.00 should be paid with the registration. Balance amount should be paid before commencement of second academic year.

*Note: If the respective Institute pays on behalf of the student they are obliged to pay the full course fee of Rs.200, 000/=