UWTSD delivers new MA in Archaeological Practice for the Archaeological Specialist Apprenticeship

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is delivering a new MA in Archaeological Practice for the Archaeological Specialist Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship Standard has been developed in collaboration with archaeological employers across the sector alongside the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and Historic England and is aimed at graduates working in a wide range of specialisms in archaeology, including finds and environmental analysis, project management, and geophysical survey.

Working closely with employers including DigVentures and MSDS Marine, the MA programme has been mapped to the Knowledge Skills and Behaviours required for these roles to complement the day-to-day work in the field.

It is being delivered by Professor Nigel Nayling, chair of Archaeology at UWTSD, Professor Martin Bates, and Martin Locock, who are based at the University’s Lampeter campus.

Martin Locock said: “The Apprenticeship was developed by a Trailblazer group of sector employers, CIfA, Historic England and training providers to address a skills gap – the lack of vocationally-relevant courses for early career professionals with first degrees and sector work experience, to equip them for roles where they are responsible for the planning, implementation and reporting on projects generating archaeological data.”

As students of UWTSD, the learners will have full access to the Virtual Learning Environment e-learning tools, electronic and printed resources from the Learning Resource Centre, and student support.

Phil Pollard, Heritage Apprenticeships Manager, Historic England said: “The heritage sector needs effective ‘skills pathways’ to train the next generation of heritage professionals who can continue to protect and promote our country’s historic environment. Apprenticeships, such as the Archaeological Specialist, are a brilliant way to equip a wide range of people with specialist knowledge and skills. We’re pleased to be working with UWTSD and others to create heritage apprenticeship opportunities in partnership with employers.”

Phoebe Wild, project officer at MSDS Marine said: “The course is very engaging and well-structured, and it fits easily around my work commitments. The module content complements and builds upon my professional skills and understanding which provides me with useful and applicable knowledge for my working life. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the degree!”

University of Wales Trinity Saint David has a tradition of teaching archaeology that started 50 years when the Department of Archaeology was founded as part of what was then St David’s University College Lampeter).  UWTSD's undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at Lampeter have proved invaluable to many now working in the sector.

A senior lecturer and Associate Professor at Lampeter since 1998 and a Field archaeologist since 1976, Professor Nigel Nayling has worked throughout the United Kingdom and Latin America for a wide range of organisations including archaeological units and trusts, museums, and heritage organisations.

During the 1990s he worked for the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust focusing on wetland and intertidal excavations in the Severn Estuary including Bronze Age, Roman and Medieval boat finds.

His research and collaboration with Newport Museums and Heritage Service has generated new methods to meet the very significant challenges of excavating internationally important ship and boat finds, contributing to the definition of best practice by professional bodies and associations in the international field of maritime conservation practices, not only within the academic field, but also with heritage agencies and museums.

Professor Nayling’s work continues to promote best practice in digital approaches in nautical archaeology, extending his contributions to changes in professional standards, guidelines, and training. He is a founding member of the Faro Rhino Archaeological User Group (FRAUG) which has been developing innovative digital approaches to archaeological ship documentation, analysis, and dissemination.

The trajectory of Professor Martin Bates’ career has resulted in a profile that places him at the crossroads of a number of disciplines including archaeology, quaternary geology, engineering geology and environmental science. 

It is this multi-disciplinary profile that allows him to provide a unique approach to archaeology that manifests itself through teaching, research, and contract work. 

Currently Professor Bates is engaged in contract and research fields in field geoarchaeology and Palaeolithic archaeology.  He has been involved in a number of major discoveries within the UK archaeological world including the Dover Bronze Age Boat, the Clactonian Elephant butchery site in Ebbsfleet, the Harnham terminal Lower Palaeolithic site near Salisbury and he discovered the Happisburgh human footprint sin Norfolk (the oldest presently know in the world outside Africa). 

He is also actively engaged in the investigation of submerged landscapes in the North Sea and Orkney.  Additionally, he is project geoarchaeologist for the Quaternary Archaeology and Environments of Jersey Project (QAEJ) and is leading a new multi-disciplinary research fieldwork at La Cotte de St. Brelade in Jersey. 

Martin Locock has worked in commercial archaeology in England and Wales for 20 years as a project manager and finds specialist.  He joined UWTSD in 2010 to work on the Strata Florida abbey project, funded by the RDP, which works with tourism businesses and the community to raise the profile of the area’s heritage.  He now administers UWTSD’s degree apprenticeship programmes as well as teaching on the MA in Archaeological Practice.

He represented UWTSD on the Historic Environment: Archaeology Trailblazer Group developing the Level 7 Archaeological Specialist standard.

He is an accredited PRINCE2 Practitioner with extensive experience in project management at the National Library of Wales and Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust and is the author of 10 simple steps to better archaeological management. He has a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology from Cambridge University and has been an active member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists since 1986.

Note to Editor

About Historic England
We are Historic England the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops. We protect, champion and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from as a nation. We care passionately about the stories they tell, the ideas they represent and the people who live, work and play among them. Working with communities and specialists we share our passion, knowledge and skills to inspire interest, care and conservation, so everyone can keep enjoying and looking after the history that surrounds us all.

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Swyddog Gweithredol Cysylltiadau â’r Wasg a’r Cyfryngau

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer

Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus

Corporate Communications and PR

Mobile: 07384 467071

Email: Rebecca.Davies@uwtsd.ac.uk