UK or US master's program?

[lisamc]

Hello,

I'm a post-bacc student earning a bachelor's in anthropology. I'm planning to go to grad school and eventually earn a Ph.D., with a research focus on bioarchaeology. I'm primarily interested in the classics. I've been contemplating whether or not I'd rather apply straight into a Ph.D. program and earn a master's on the way at a school, or go to two seperate schools for my master's and Ph.D.

But I'm also looking at some master's programs in the UK that focus on osteoarchaeology or mortuary archaeology. Is it common for people to get a master's in the UK then be accepted in the US into a Ph.D. program? Or is the educational system different enough that it would be difficult?

My gut reaction is that if I want to do bioarch in Italy or Greece, it would be good for me to go to the UK where there seems to be more classical archaeologists. But there also seems to be minimal bioarch. I'm not sure if my master's would even need to focus on bioarch, or if I could focus on classical arch and osteology (and make up the difference with my research).

I'd appreciate any advice you have, or tales of experience. I'm going to apply to a lot of places anyway, but I'd like to be more informed if I have to choose between a couple of places (I'm crossing my fingers that I will have choices...)

Thanks!

[Diospyros]

No idea whether you're still lurking in this forum, LisaMC, but I'll give you my two cents.

I got a masters degree in paleopathology (or palaeo, if you prefer) from Durham University, in the U.K., in 2006. It worked out very well for me. Masters' degrees in the U.K. tend to be very efficient (one year) and they have some very excellent bio-anth programs. They're also very focused on classics (which, as a mesoamericanist, wasn't so great for me, but would work for you). On the other hand, I didn't get a lot of attention from my advisors nor did I make very many contacts. Lectures are conducted very formally, in my experience, and there isn't a lot of interaction.

Since getting the degree, I've been teaching at community college. I had to pay a company to evaluate my degree and confirm that my international degree was equivalent to a U.S. master's degree before I could teach, but degrees from the U.K. are always accepted as equivalent, as far as I know--it's just a formality.

I just finished the PhD application process and will likely be headed to Penn State this fall. As far as I can tell, a masters degree is treated as a masters degree, whether it's from the U.S. or the U.K. It serves to prove that you're committed to what you're doing. The places that accepted me all claimed to be impressed that I had been willing to go overseas to find the right program.

I will say that I depended heavily on my undergraduate (U.S.) advisors during my PhD application process, rather than relying upon my U.K. master's degree professors. Keep that in mind if you ultimately want to live in the U.S., and do your PhD here. Overseas professors are less likely to have the contacts and be up-to-date on inter-departmental politics.

Be prepared for grim weather and root vegetables. And learn trivia for pub quizzes.

--Diospyros

[lisamc]

Thank you so much for your reply! Can't believe it's been almost two years since I posted that question...oy time flies! I really appreciate your thoughtful response

[undetermined]

Thank you so much for your reply! Can't believe it's been almost two years since I posted that question...oy time flies! I really appreciate your thoughtful response

Hey, I'm debating on getting an MA either in the US or the UK (LSE). I wanted to know your experience, especially when it comes to getting into

PhD programs in the US. I'd appreciate any advice

[anthropologygeek]

I would say overall, us masters are seen more highly based the fact us masters are 2 years and uk is 1 year. But overall it depends on you are going to focus on.