Archaeology and Anthropology

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

University RankQS Ranking

171

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University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

VL46

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines30-Sep-2024

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 27,650 / year

Next Intake 30-Sep-2024

Archaeology and Anthropology

About

Explore humanity from its earliest origins to the cultures and societies of today with our BA Archaeology and Anthropology degree.

The University of Reading is in the top 100 in the world for Archaeology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2022) and is ranked 1st in the UK for research quality and research outputs in Archaeology (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we achieved the highest score for student satisfaction in the UK in 2022.

This joint honours course combines archaeology's examination of material evidence from our past and present with anthropology's focus on human development and contemporary cultures and societies. Studying these two disciplines together allows you insight and understanding of what it means to be human.

This understanding will be crucial in addressing issues critical to our shared global future, including:

the relationship between humans and environmental change
inequality, migration and identity
population growth and development
human diets and health
politics, economics and sustainability.

By examining human development, behaviour and different cultures, you will better understand the roots of these issues, and learn how other societies have tackled comparable problems – and how contemporary societies are addressing them now.

Using methodological approaches from the sciences, social sciences and humanities, you will examine the diversity of human experience. You will learn about the biological evolution of our earliest ancestors, the pre-historical and historical development of different cultures, and present-day ways of life and social issues.

During your studies you will analyse:

material culture
biological evidence
ethnographic evidence
theoretical and empirical perspectives from the past and present.

Your studies in the Department of Archaeology will encompass ethnographic approaches and case studies, and the study of social and scientific archaeology, including:

the investigation of artefacts recovered through excavation
the study of human bones (including osteology and palaeopathology)
the study of plant and animal remains
human-environment interaction
how climate and environmental change have affected lives past and present
religious, social, economic and political diversity around the world.

On this course you will learn through a combination of field classes and fieldwork projects, lectures and seminars, laboratory and other practical work, and placements.

Depending on your module choices, methods of assessment can range from fieldwork diaries and laboratory-based practical tests to article critiques and presentations.

Find out more about this programme by reading our story about Mia Dare, a first-year BA Archaeology and Anthropology student who's gaining new perspectives on our world while studying at Reading.

Your learning environment

You will work with academics from our Department of Archaeology – and other experts from our School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science – who are passionate about reconstructing our past to influence our future. For example,

Dr Mary Lewis analyses skeletal remains to uncover the health of past peoples
Professor Hella Eckardt is proving Britain's long history of diversity
Dr Aleks Pluskowski is using environmental archaeology to provide a different perspective on the impact of religious change
Dr Alanna Cant studies how people make use of culture and the past in today's world.

Our research directly informs what you learn at Reading, and it is highly regarded in the field: the University of Reading is ranked 1st in the UK for research quality and research outputs in Archaeology (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest REF 2021).

We provide a welcoming, friendly community. Our staff are approachable and aim to create a supportive learning environment, and lively student-led societies like RUined (Reading University Archaeology Society) offer a variety of social events and activities.

We have an outstanding track record for student satisfaction, with scores consistently between 90-100% for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2010-2022, with Archaeology achieving the highest score for overall student satisfaction in the UK in 2022.

Field School

You will gain direct, hands-on experience in all aspects of an archaeological excavation through your time with the Archaeology Field School (currently run at Silchester Roman Town and Dunyvaig Castle on Islay). You will also be encouraged to get involved in other archaeological excavations in the UK and abroad, such as at prehistoric monuments, Roman cities, and medieval castles.

In addition to excavation skills, you will also learn about surveying, GIS (geographical information systems) mapping, planning, and finds processing.

Specialist fieldwork equipment will enrich and support your learning, as will access to our extensive collections of artefacts, biological and geological specimens, analytical IT software facilities, and diverse suite of laboratories. You will also have access to our three on-site museums and the University's special collections.

Through practical work you will be able to experience the excitement of discovery and have the chance to make a direct contribution through the creation of new archaeological and anthropological knowledge.

Flexible study options

Tailor your degree to your interests with our range of optional modules and flexible pathway structure. For example, you can pursue pathways in:

cultural diversity
global development, inequality and sustainable living
biological and evolutionary anthropology
environmental and climatic change
material culture and heritage.

You can also choose to study this course over four years to include a study year abroad, a professional placement, or a combination of both:

BA Archaeology and Anthropology with Study Year Abroad
BA Archaeology and Anthropology with Professional Placement

Placements and Study Abroad

As part of the three-year BA Archaeology and Anthropology degree, you will be encouraged to undertake short placements with local and regional employers to help develop your professional skills and boost your employability.

You can also study abroad for a semester at one of our partner universities. These currently include universities in Europe (for example, the University of Malta, and Uppsala in Sweden) and as far afield as Australia and the USA.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Thanawiyah with an overall score of 78%/ GPA 2.8 if following the American system.

Career

Our BA Archaeology and Anthropology degree allows you to develop a broad range of subject-specific and transferable skills in the humanities and the sciences, preparing you for a diverse range of career opportunities.

Archaeology could lead to a career in commercial archaeology or the heritage sector – for example, in a museum or archive – or you could take advantage of development-led archaeology opportunities in planning departments and commercial companies. At Reading, we have long-established relationships with employers within the archaeology and related sectors, including Oxford Archaeology and Cotswold Archaeology, both of which regularly consider our graduates for vacancies.

Anthropology could be a path into international development (with governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations), agriculture, health, and social research, and social policy.

Alternatively, the communication and analytical skills you will acquire could be put to use in:

education
not-for-profit
marketing
advertising
law
PR and the media.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 27,650 / year

How to Apply

You can apply online for all of our courses, including courses with an Integrated Foundation Year, via the national admissions service, UCAS. You can choose to apply for up to five courses in total, including more than one course at the same institution.

Begin your application

Our UCAS code is R12. The University does not have a campus code.

Write your personal statement

As part of your application, you'll be asked to submit a personal statement to support your application. This is your opportunity to tell us more about why you want to study the course and what interests, skills and experience you have that demonstrate your passion for the subject.

Submit your application

When you're happy with your application and have added the required information such as qualifications, personal statement and reference, you can submit your application.

A small charge is made by UCAS for applying to university. The application fee for 2022 entry was £22 to apply for a single course and £26.50 for multiple courses (and for applications submitted after 30 June).

Make sure to check the UCAS website for the most up-to-date application deadlines. If you have missed the January deadline, there is still the opportunity to apply (via UCAS), and we are happy to consider late applications until 30 June 2022 (all applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing). Please be aware that some of our courses may be full after the January UCAS deadline, so we recommend early applications where possible.