BA Archaeology and History with Study Year Abroad

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

University RankQS Ranking

173

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Home/United Kingdom/Reading /University of Reading/BA Archaeology and History with Study Year Abroad

University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

VV12

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 25,850 / year

Next Intake September-2026

BA Archaeology and History with Study Year Abroad

About

Explore the richness of our shared human past and gain valuable international experience with our BA Archaeology and History with Study Year Abroad degree.

Choose the University of Reading

The University is in the top 100 in the world for Archaeology (QS World Rankings by Subject, 2024, Archaeology. The University of Reading is ranked 51-100 in the world).
Ranked 1st in the UK for environmental and ethical performance (People and Planet University League 2023/24)
In 2023, the University of Reading was the first ever winner of the Times Higher Education (THE) award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership
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 REF 2021)
100% of our research in History is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – History)
The University of Reading scored 1st for teaching quality in Archaeology and Forensic Science (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025).
97% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, 97.06% of responders from the Department of Archaeology)
Overall, 96% of graduates from Archaeology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. (Three-year average, based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022-2024, Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2019/20-2021/22; includes Full-time, UK domiciled, first degree Archaeology responders).

As a Joint Honours student, your programme is shared with the Department of History, which is known for its educational excellence and research innovation. Teaching staff are experts in a broad range of fields. Their expertise covers political, cultural, social, gender and transnational history, the history of ideas and beliefs, and the history of science and health.

Explore the past through archaeological and historical techniques

Our BA Archaeology and History degree combines the study of history – and its political, social and cultural contexts – with invaluable archaeological training.

In your archaeological studies, you’ll study material remains to uncover our human past, from as early as the first hominins millions of years ago. Your historical studies will span the last thousand years, with a broad geographical spread that covers Britain and Europe, Africa, America, the Middle East and South Asia. You’ll examine historical records and explore visual and material culture through texts, paintings, photographs, films and oral sources.

Studying these complementary subjects together will provide a richer, more holistic understanding of our shared human past. You’ll balance your critical evaluation of historical sources against the physical evidence of lived experience provided by archaeological finds.

We’ll support you to develop a broad range of subject-specific and transferable skills that span the humanities and sciences. Your learning can include:

the investigation of artefacts, monuments and archival collections
the development of human societies from six million years ago to the present day
British, European and global history
the role of warfare and militarism in different regions and time periods
experiences of social change through studies of migration, gender and religion.

Study Abroad

A key component of this course is a year abroad that enables you to further your studies at one of our partner universities overseas.

We have a number of partner universities in Europe as well as opportunities farther afield. For details of our current exchanges, please visit our Study Abroad Find A University website and select ‘Archaeology’.

All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs. Visit our Study Abroad website for more information, and to view the full list of current partner institutions.

Further information about studying abroad is available on our Important Information page.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

BBB, including a grade B in History or a humanities-based essay subject

Humanities-based essay subjects include: Classical Civilisation, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies.

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall, including 5 in History or a humanities-based essay subject at higher level.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM (modules taken must be comparable to A level subjects specified above)

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

English Program Requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

Career

Archaeology and History are more than studying material culture and the past: they’re disciplines that actively prepare you for the job market. You’ll develop an impressive range of practical and academic skills, whether you want to move into the archaeology or heritage sectors or enter a wide range of other industries and careers.

Overall, 96% of graduates from Archaeology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. (Three-year average, based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022-2024, Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2019/20-2021/22; includes Full-time, UK domiciled, first degree Archaeology responders)

Additionally, overall 97% of graduates from History are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. (Based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22 includes first degree History responders)

Read how Rizwan Ahmad used the hands-on experiences he gained during his BA Archaeology course to pursue a career in archaeology and heritage.

Currently, there is a rising demand for archaeologists in the UK. More than 40 major infrastructure projects are planned over the next 17 years, and archaeologists are required for exploratory excavations and analysis before construction begins. In 2021 David Connolly, Director of British Archaeological Jobs and Resources, said: "For all the infrastructure projects the government is pushing forward... the country is anywhere from 500 to 1,000 archaeologists short."

Previous Reading graduates have gone on to work within the archaeological and heritage sector for companies such as:

Museum of London Archaeology
Thames Valley Archaeological Services
Cambridge Archaeological Unit
Victoria and Albert Museum

Our graduates have also found careers with a diverse range of employers outside the heritage sector, including:

Mott MacDonald (engineering consultancy)
Hargreaves Lansdown (financial consultancy)
RPS Group

Based on HESA data © HESA 2020 - 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18 - 2021/22; includes undergraduate responders from the Department of Archaeology.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 25,850

Application Fee

GBP

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.

1. Find a course

Browse our undergraduate courses and identify which ones you'd like to apply for. Make sure to check your course's entry requirements before you apply.

2. Begin your application

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

3. 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.

4. 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 2024 entry is £27.50 for up to five choices.

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 2024 (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.