Archaeology (BA)

Why study this course

Placements - home and abroad

Experience activities including digs, museum projects and lab activities.

Purpose-built laboratories

Use our suite of laboratories and access our digital illustration and photographic suite.

Fieldwork adventures

Build practical skills and put what you'll learn into practice; discover exciting locations and uncover a past world.

Community driven

Dive into a range of activities including visits from international speakers, the Archaeology Society and events.

CiFA-accredited

Our BA and BSc Archaeology degree is accredited by The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK (UAUK).

Archaeology is the only discipline that allows you to study humanity from the earliest hominids five million years ago to the present day. It enables all of us to better understand what it is to be human and explore the richness of the human experience.

Blending the sciences, social sciences and humanities, our BA Archaeology will equip you with the skills you’ll need to study the past through material evidence and will introduce you to the archaeology of Britain and the Mediterranean World. Building on your passions and curiosity, you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in the study of the periods and regions which interest you, ranging from the prehistoric to post-medieval periods. In addition to developing an understanding of specific archaeological contexts, we’ll also ensure you can place this research and knowledge into a contemporary context including how archaeology can inform debates in today’s society and how heritage sites and collections are managed.

You will be introduced to a variety of key archaeological skills relating to the study of artefacts and environmental evidence and help you develop your field skills with eight weeks of placement, typically on an archaeological excavation, developing your skills in an authentic context. These memorable placements take place in the summers following Year One and Year Two, in the UK and overseas.

As well as practical skills, honed in the field and in our excellent facilities, you’ll gain and develop special research skills through a second-year independent study module. Supported by one of our expert staff, you’ll plan and undertake an archaeological research project on a topic of your choice. The optionality and increased specialisation as you progress through your degree means you will enjoy a programme of high integrity, tailored to furnishing you with skills of value within and beyond the heritage sector.

BA Archaeology provides the ultimate all round degree and is an excellent way to develop a range of skills valued by employers, for example through developing teamworking and leadership skills in the field and learning how to analyse evidence and communicate complex stories about the past to a range of audiences.

Accreditations

• Chartered Institute for Archaeologists

Careers and placements

Career prospects

Graduate careers

• Field Archaeologist
• Lecturer
• Heritage Conservationist

Placements

You’ll benefit from two 20-credit professional placement modules. These involve four-week practical placements (usually on an archaeological excavation during the summer vacations) on an archaeological fieldwork, museum, archival, post-excavation or laboratory project in Britain or abroad. We generally offer experience in a wide range of projects covering various archaeological periods and specialisms. Placements are tailored to develop both archaeological and transferable skills (e.g. teamwork, communication, leadership).

Further opportunities for diverse, bespoke placements are offered in optional school-wide employability modules in years two and three. Staff also have close links with a range of local heritage and other organisations, which offer placement opportunities both in and outside semesters.

Through our links with the Student Futures you can source placements and on-campus internships from 35 hours part-time placements to fit in around your studies to paid summer placements. In addition, Go Wales provides additional support to help you gain work experience.