Bioarchaeology enables us to paint a more vivid picture of the human past.
Through isotopic analysis of remains from archaeological sites, we can discover what past diets were like, where people came from and whether they travelled long distances in their lifetimes.;We can analyse the proteins in fragments of Viking-Age hair combs to find out which animal they were made from, or examine ancient DNA to better understand our human timeline.;
Our BSc Bioarchaeology is perfect for students studying a science subject who are interested in history and ancient populations. York is home to BioArCh, a collaborative research facility formed by the Archaeology, Biology and Chemistry departments. The centre is internationally recognised, with a unique concentration of expertise in human palaeoecology and environmental archaeology.
Our department is renowned for being friendly and welcoming, meaning you'll get to know your lecturers, and they'll get to know you. You'll have endless opportunities to get involved, from joining the Archaeology Society to working abroad on a research project. We're based in the King's Manor in the city centre, a beautiful and truly unique Medieval building, with additional state-of-the-art facilities on the main campus.;
York is the UKs archaeological capital, with historic buildings and significant remains from the Roman, Viking and Medieval periods. You'll find it a great place to call home.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA),;the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in the UK and overseas. Accreditation recognises the value of real knowledge of working practices across the sector and provides you with the opportunity to join CIfA as a means of supporting;your professional development.
Our five undergraduate courses all have a common first year, so it's easy to change between them.
We emphasise flexibility - there's very little restriction on the modules you can choose to study. You'll get experience in the lab from your second year onwards.
Study abroad
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
- Explore global opportunities
CIfA accreditation is not applicable to credit-replacing exchanges abroad where only two years are spent at York. Additional year abroad programmes, where three years are spent at York, are still accredited.
Archaeology also offers plenty of opportunities during vacation breaks to get involved with research abroad.
Youll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Teaching format
You'll be taught through a range of lectures, seminars, workshops, practicals, and independent learning projects. All our teaching is research-led, meaning our lecturers are teaching the subjects they're fascinated about, and ensuring you get the most current and cutting-edge knowledge.
We have always been passionate about small group teaching - we feel it is the best way to learn. You'll start off with a variety of teaching formats and as the course progresses you'll spend more time on intensive small group teaching and individual study.
We provide training in presentation skills throughout your course, helping you to prepare for your Assessed Seminar and Assessed Lecture.
Find out more about our teaching.
Timetabled activities
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 3-5 hours per week |
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| Seminars | 2-4 hours per week |
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| Workshops | 2-4 hours per week |
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| Practicals | 2-4 hours per week |
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| Excavation | 3 weeks |
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| Field trips | 4-6 days |
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| Feedback sessions | 1-2 hours |
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These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during term time. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Facilities
At York, you'll have access to a huge range of unique facilities.
In King's Manor, we have:
- our own teaching rooms and a state-of-the-art lecture theatre
- a specialist library with dedicated study spaces
- a large lab space for working with artefacts, soil and environmental samples, and skeletal remains
- computer labs with printers, scanners and specialised photo software, digital drawing and mapping software
- a student common room for working and socialising
- our own cafe
On Campus West, we also have our own purpose-built Bioarchaeology labs and our dedicated York Experimental Archaeology Research (YEAR) Centre. Bioarchaeology facilities include:
- dedicated laboratory for bone preparation (bone saws, drills etc)
- gas chromatography
- optical microscopy
- expansive preparative laboratories
- scanning and transmission electron microscopy
- state-of-the-art protein mass spectrometry
- NERC-recognised amino acid dating facility
- ZooMS bone identification service
- state-of-the art Ancient DNA facility
You'll have full access to the main campus library and other University resources, including the Borthwick Institute for Archives. You'll also have access to an extremely wide range of archaeological equipment, including:
- drones
- fieldwork tools
- Total Station theodolites
- geophysical survey equipment (resistivity, magnetometry, ground penetrating radar)
- handheld GPS systems
- a laser scanner
- a variety of photo and imaging technology
Teaching location
The Department of Archaeology is located in King's Manor, in the city centre. Our BioArCh and Palaeo facilities are located in or near the Environment Building on Campus West, around 30 minutes walk from King's Manor.
About our campus
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Assessment and feedback
You'll be assessed using a variety of methods, including essays, exams, assessed presentations and team projects.
During your degree, we'll help you to develop the skills you'll need to approach your assessments, from presentation skills to designing a research study. We'll take the time to provide detailed and personalised feedback on your work, allowing you to improve and refine your work.
Your course will culminate with the exciting challenge of leading and chairing a seminar, organising and presenting a lecture, and researching and writing a dissertation. You'll graduate confident in your ability to cope with challenges and able to apply your skills to many areas of work.
Percentage of the course typically assessed by coursework and exams
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|
| Written exams | 33% | 17% | 0% |
|---|
| Coursework | 59% | 67% | 77% |
|---|
| Practical exams | 8% | 16% | 23% |
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The figures above are based on data from 2016/17. Our course structures are changing in September 2023. Find out more about how this course may be affected.
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