The PhD is offered, according to subject-area, in Archaeology or in Conservation Studies. A PhD should normally be completed within three years from the start of enrolment. Thus research projects should, at the outset, be designed to be capable of completion (including submission of the thesis) within that time, and the timetable for the conduct of research should reflect this: although the Regulations make provision for an additional year for the submission of the thesis, students should not embark on the PhD programme expecting to avail themselves of this. Candidates are enrolled for the degree PhD, but this enrolment is subject to progression at the end of each academic year. If the Graduate School Board decides not to allow progression, it may recommend instead that the student should be allowed to submit a thesis for the award of an MPhil degree or a dissertation for the award of an MA or MSc degree by research (where those degrees are available), subject to the normal regulations and requirements for those degrees.

All of the postgraduate Archaeology courses at York have a strong focus on employability. We aim to equip students with highly valued specialist and transferable skills, in a range of archaeological disciplines. The courses provide students with a deep understanding of relevant theories and principles, alongside extensive practical experience and access to the latest technologies and systems.