Archaeology BSc

Course overview

The Archaeology BA and BSc share many of the same core modules in first and second year. In the second year BSc students will study a core module in ‘Applications of Archaeological Science’. In this compulsory module you will start to apply analytical techniques used to investigate archaeological questions (such as petrography, elemental analysis, archaeobotany, spatial analysis, and conservation) and discuss the development of analytical projects (research proposal, literature review, methodology, sampling, analytical results, presentation and critique).

The BA and BSc routes also differ in the focus of optional modules, as BSc students will choose modules with greater concentration on scientific analysis. Support is provided for students developing their own analytical projects for their third year dissertation.

The first year provides a grounding in archaeological concepts, practical methods in archaeology and an introduction to major issues in world prehistory.

The second and third years provide a more advanced understanding of archaeology and theoretical approaches, and allow you to develop your own specialised interests by choosing optional modules in particular subject areas.

In the third year you are given the chance to reflect critically on your fieldwork experience and the skills you have been developing during the degree through a portfolio, and write a 10,000-word dissertation on a detailed subject that you will choose, research and write up with the help of a supervisor.

Throughout the degree you will be able to select optional modules that provide an in-depth study of particular geographical regions, time periods and archaeological materials. Optional modules will help you develop practical skills in a range of areas, from topographical surveying to archaeological photography. There are archaeology optional modules that run on a biennial basis and range from Roman Art and Architecture to Pottery Analysis; from Geoarchaeology to Zooarchaeology; from Amazonia or the Aztecs to Stonehenge, China and Early Islamic Archaeology.

This programme provides training in archaeology focusing on the analysis of ancient materials and past environments, theoretical concepts and field techniques. You will learn how new scientific techniques and advances in science allow us gain new insight into important questions about past societies. You will also have opportunities to participate in current research using our extensive laboratories and wide-ranging reference collections.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

The foundation of your career

Students learn to communicate effectively verbally, visually and in writing to diverse audiences and develop a sensitivity to different cultures. They also develop excellent transferable skills providing the experience necessary to work both within the archaeology, heritage and museum sector and in numerous sectors outside of the discipline.

Our graduates go on to work in a diverse range of fields from archaeology (fieldwork, research and academia), heritage, museums, the UK civil service, politics, police, law, engineering, business - the possibilities are extremely wide and varied. (Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 cohorts).

Employability

Throughout the degree, students develop transferable skills that are valuable across a range of job sectors. This includes both independent working and teamwork skills, research and analytical skills, planning and project management, and an understanding of the importance of recovering primary data through practical experience.