PgDip in Heritage and Archaeology

Royal Agricultural University

The Historic Environment sector is incredibly broad, taking in everything from museums and galleries, through to historic buildings, archaeological excavations and community projects.The RAU has been at the forefront of land-based education for 180 years, and to study heritage and archaeology here is a natural choice. For students joining in January 2026, teaching for the courses will start at RAU Swindon, and from Tuesday 29 September 2026 all courses will be taught at the main RAU campus in Cirencester.The PGDip - or Postgraduate Diploma – is a Masters level course that sits between the PGCert and the full MSc. It allows you to study a subject in depth but without undertaking the Dissertation element. Consequently, it takes substantially less time to complete than the MSc, while still covering the same taught elements. To complete this qualification, you will take eight modules (120 credits).Full-time students can complete the course in as little as two semesters (one year). Part-time students can choose to spread the course over up to two years, giving you lots of time for thinking and writing between modules. It is ideal for students who want to study a specific subject but would rather not commit to a full MSc with its attendant time and financial costs.The PGDip can be a great way to boost your career, or enter a new industry. We recognise that life can be unpredictable so the PGDip is built to be as flexible as possible. Should you desire to continue your studies, PGDip credits can be used to contribute towards an MSc qualification later down the line. Conversely, if you need to cut your studies short for any reason, it is also possible to convert the PGDip to a PGCert after the completion of four modules.