Master of Archaeology, Courses and degrees, data, 2025, domestic, BU, La Trobe University

Entry requirements and pathways

Academic entry requirement

Prerequisites

Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent).

Prior learning developed through relevant work experience or professional accreditation, where it is deemed to be at least equivalent to that obtained through a Bachelor degree, may be considered. In making an offer to an applicant, the University will give consideration to a range of factors, including academic record, English proficiency and/or employment experience.

Selection criteria

Applicants with an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline or area and marks reflective of the capacity to work at the masters level will receive credit of up to 60 credit points.
Students who have completed an undergraduate major in archaeological and heritage studies or the Bachelor of Archaeology at La Trobe University may be awarded up to 60 CP credit for:
ARC4001
ARC4002
ARC4003
ARC4004
ARC4005
External applicants may be awarded up to 60 CP credit with the approval of the Course Coordinator.

Note: Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)

For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)

Credit for previous study (advanced standing)

Credit for previous study (advanced standing) is the recognition of prior study or learning that can be counted towards a qualification. This can reduce the number of subjects required to complete your course. The amount of credit received depends on the level and relevance of your previous study and the number of subjects completed.

The University will designate courses where there is only admission into Year 1 of the course. In these cases, there is limited credit. See list of limited entry courses.

To check if this course is available for credit, please visit the Advanced standing webpage.

Defer

Find out if you can defer

Pathways

There are currently no alternative Pathway courses for this course.

Use the Pathways Tool to discover other courses with pathway options available.

Questions about the course?

Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.

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What you'll study

Sample course structure

Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.

To qualify for the award of Master of Archaeology, students must complete a total of 240 credit points across 2 years.

Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:

120 credit points from chosen Core

Study options

Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.

Subject name	Subject code	Year	Credit points
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE	LTU0AIM	1	0
ARCHAEOLOGY OF ABORIGINAL VICTORIA	ARC5AAV	1	15
AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS ARCHAEOLOGY	ARC4001	1	15
HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY IN AUSTRALIA	ARC4004	1	15
OBJECTS, THINGS, & ARTEFACTS (A): MANAGING AND RECORDING	ARC4002	1	15
OBJECTS, THINGS, AND ARTEFACTS (B): ANALYSING AND UNDERSTANDING	ARC4003	1	15
RESEARCH SKILLS	HUS5ADR	1	15
PRACTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY	ARC4PRA	1	30

A range of standalone elective subjects is available in this course. Some electives are recommended for your course, but you may also be able to choose from a range of University-wide electives or electives from other interest areas or disciplines. Note these electives may have their own prerequisites and other requirements. Please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook for the subjects available.

A specialisation is a sequence of related subjects studied in your course. In some courses, you need to complete at least one specialisation to attain your degree.

Students to select one specialisation

Course specialisations	Specialisation code
Advanced research	SPE-ADR01
Professional archaeology	SPE-ARC01

For more information on these please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.

Work-Based Learning

Elective placement opportunities (Work Based Learning)
During this course, you will have the opportunity to participate in a Work Based Learning (WBL) placement experience, designed to allow you to extend your formal academic learning beyond the classroom. The WBL experience will provide the opportunity to bring your learning from the university into a work environment and test out your knowledge in a professional real-world environment. Some courses include compulsory WBL subjects, however, we also offer a range of elective WBL subjects, both cross-discipline and subject-specific. La Trobe University will source placements for some subjects, while others will require you to source your own placement. If you are required to source your own placement, dedicated staff will guide and support you through the process. Elective WBL subjects generally involve an application process and Subject Coordinator approval. The location and number of hours undertaken can vary considerably depending on the activity and the discipline area.

See La Trobe University Handbook for more details

The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.

View course information for Melbourne (Bundoora)