Course overview
Archaeology bridges the sciences and humanities. During your BSc in Archaeology, you will develop your knowledge of the scientific techniques that archaeologists use to study ancient societies and learn to integrate scientific approaches with human perspectives on the past. Year one is the same as the BA Archaeology course, but the second and third years allow you to specialise in archaeological modules with a strong scientific component. It is compulsory for you to gain excavation experience in the UK or overseas.
Year one
In the first year, you will be introduced to the discipline of archeology: understanding the past through the study of its material remains. This is achieved by studying the general principles and methods of how archeological sites and remains are recovered and interpreted, and by seeing how our knowledge of development of Europe and the Mediterranean, from prehistory until the Middle Ages, is illuminated by archaeology.
Year two
In the second year, five more advanced modules continue your progress in understanding the principles and practice of archaeology. You will explore major themes such as Technology and Production and the History and Theory of Archaeology.
You will also develop practical archaeological research and IT skills, including the techniques of archaeological draughtsmanship. In addition, you can choose to specialise in specific time periods and areas building on the introductory modules of the first year.
Year three
Your final year gives you the chance to undertake your own research project which you will write up as a dissertation. The rest of the year is taken up with a variety of modules of your own choosing from the wide range offered by the Department. The Department offers modules covering the full range of archaeology from the prehistory to the medieval period.
Entry requirements
A levels: ABB-BBB (must include a science A-level)
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
TOEFL iBT 100 (no less than 21 in listening and writing, 22 in reading and 23 in speaking)
Alternative qualifications
For details please see alternative qualifications page
Modules
The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.
Typical year-one modules
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Prehistory from the Earliest Humans to the First Farmers
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Introduction and Approaches to Archaeology
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Introduction to the Archaeology of the Roman Empire
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Environmental Archaeology
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Prehistory from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age
Typical year-two modules
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Archaeology of Technology and Production
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The Archaeologist as Detective
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Bioarchaeology
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Archaeology: IT and Research Methods
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History, Theory and Practice of Archaeology
Typical year-three modules
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Through a Glass Darkly
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Ancient Metallurgy: Archaeology and Experiment
Typical optional modules
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The Anthropology of Human Ecology
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Underwater Archaeology
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Britain in the Western Roman Empire
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The Origins and Rise of Aegean Civilisation
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Rome and the Mediterranean
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Prehistoric Italy
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The Archaeology of Anglo-Saxon England
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The Celts: Iron Age Communities in West Central Europe 700-54 BC
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Goths, Huns, Avars and Romans: Conflict on the Danube in Late Antiquity
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Beastly Questions
Skills and careers
You will have an in-depth understanding of the use of scientific method in archaeology, anunderstanding of theory and practice in archaeology, a broad view of human culture from the palaeolithic to the medieval period, and an in-depth understanding of selected areas and periods. You will also have carried out your own archaeological research.
Average starting salary
The average starting salary for 2009/2010 full-time graduates of the Department of Archeology was £16,666.67.*
*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2009/10.