Archaeology has much to offer those wishing to pursue the subject at college or university. The subject can be taken as a single honours degree (BA, BSc or MA), or combined with a wide range of other subjects like Ancient or Medieval History, Geography, Art or Anthropology. A number of universities also offer Diploma and Certificate courses, often through their Lifelong Learning or Continuing Education departments. Details of all archaeology courses and university departments offering archaeology at degree level can be found in the CBA 2000 guide to archaeology in higher education, available from the CBA (price £9.50).
Archaeology links with many other disciplines, including geography, history, social sciences, mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, art, religion, and technology. A report published by the University Grants Committee (now the Higher Education Funding Council) in 1989, commented that archaeology degree courses generally produced versatile graduates, equipped for careers far beyond the subject itself.
Many professional archaeologists have a degree in archaeology, though some have equivalent qualifications in related fields such as social or pure sciences, eg geography or biology. Post- graduate qualifications may be taken by those who want to specialise in a particular aspect of the discipline or want to be involved in archaeology after taking other degrees. Archaeology can also provide a fascinating lifelong pastime.
These vary considerably, so applicants are strongly advised to consult the appropriate handbooks and prospectuses and to contact the admissions tutors of archaeology departments in which they are interested. Most archaeology departments now have their own information booklets.
It is usual for applicants to have at least five GCSEs/SCEs (grades A-C/1-3) in a range of subjects. English, mathematics, history, geography, and a foreign language are generally useful for a BA in archaeology. Some BSc courses ask for physics or chemistry though others look for a mixture of science and humanities across A/H level and GCSE/SCE.
The increase in popularity of archaeology as a degree course has meant that 3 A levels/3-4 H grades, or A/S equivalents, often at high grades, are needed. At A level there are few universities which have specific subject requirements, although some prefer a modern language. Archaeology is also offered at GCSE, A and A/S level by a growing number of schools, colleges and continuing education centres and as a correspondence course (contact the CBA for further details).
Higher National Diploma courses in archaeology are available at some colleges, which can be another route into degree courses. Many continuing education certificate and diploma courses can be used as an entry qualification for mature students.
Although not a course requirement, it is a good idea for those thinking of embarking upon a degree course in archaeology to join an archaeology society, take part in a dig or other fieldwork or do voluntary work in a museum (see our factsheet on Getting started in archaeology for further information on getting involved).
There is great variation in the course content, but most single honours courses include a basic core component. This consists of: archaeological methods, a broad geographical and chronological view of the subject, science, history and the role of archaeology in today's society. There is a trend also towards the more scientific aspects of archaeology with several institutions offering BSc courses in archaeological science (see our factsheet on Training in archaeological science). Most courses offer a varying amount of practical fieldwork experience, often on research projects in Britain and abroad.
The wider establishment of Credit Accumulation Transfer schemes has resulted in more departments offering modular courses which are designed to provide students with more flexibility.
For those wishing to study further, there is a wide range of post-graduate opportunities in different branches of archaeology, including conservation, heritage management, archaeological sciences and period based studies. These can be taken as taught courses or by thesis. Many can be studied part-time as well as full-time. A few postgraduate courses are also available by distance learning (contact the CBA for details).
A good source of information about British archaeology, is British Archaeology (BA) published six times a year by the CBA. The CBA's British Archaeological Information Service produces CBA Briefing, published within BA, which includes information on excavations and other fieldwork projects in which you can take part, forthcoming conferences, lectures and other archaeological events, details of new archaeological books, and other notices relevant to all those interested in archaeology. The CBA can provide details of local archaeological societies in your area, answer queries regarding archaeological careers and education, and many other matters. We also publish a wide variety of material aimed not just at professional archaeologists, but also those for whom archaeology is an interest or an active pastime.
The CBA, and its section for younger members aged 9-16, the Young Archaeologists' Club, can be contacted at its headquarters in Bowes Morrell House, 111 Walmgate, York YO1 9WA, tel 01904 671417, fax 01904 671384, email info@britarch.ac.uk / yac@britarch.ac.uk.
University web sites can be accessed through an interactive map of the UK at http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/ukinfo/uk.map.html.
Other useful sources of information include:
Working in History by the COIC Manpower Services Commission. Booklet with information about various careers. Available from COIC, PO Box 348, Bristol BS99 7FE
Current Archaeology is a popular bi-monthly magazine covering many aspects of archaeology. For details contact: 9 Nassington Road, London NW3 2TX, tel 020 7435 7517
Directory of educational opportunities in archaeology 1992 by the Institute of Field Archaeologists, University of Reading, 2 Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AU
For information on museums contact:
The Museums Association, 42 Clerkenwell Close, London EC1R 0PA tel 0171 608 2933
For excavation work abroad contact:
Archaeology Abroad Service, 31-34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY
Points of contact (remember to enclose a stamped addressed envelope):
Council for British Archaeology
Bowes Morrell House
111 Walmgate
YORK
YO1 9WA
web: http://www.britarch.ac.uk
Association for Environmental Archaeology
Membership Secretary
c/o Department of Archaeological Sciences
University of Archaeological Sciences
University of Bradford
BRADFORD
BD7 1DP
web: http://www.envarch.net
Institute of Field Archaeologists
University of Reading
2 Earley Gate
READING
RG6 6AU
web: http://www.archaeologists.net
United Kingdom Institute for Conservation
109 The Chandlery
50 Westminster Bridge Road
LONDON
SE1 7QY
web: http://www.ukic.org.uk
(see links to relevant web sites in the CBA guide to UK archaeology online)
Department of History and Welsh History (postgraduate only)
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Penglais
Aberystwyth
SY23 3DY
Welsh Institute of Rural Studies
University of Wales Aberystwyth
Llanbadarn Fawr
Aberystwyth
SY23 3AL
School of History & Welsh History
University Wales, Bangor
Bangor
Gwynedd
LL57 2DG
Dept of Humanties
Barnsley College
Old Mill Lane Site
Church Street
Barnsley
S70 2AX
School of Archaeology & Palaeoecology
Queens University
University Road
Belfast
BT7 1NN
Dept of Ancient History & Archaeology
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
Ironbridge Institute
University of Birmingham
Ironbridge Gorge Museum
Ironbridge
Telford
Shropshire
TF8 7AW
School of Conservation Sciences
University of Bournemouth
Poole House
Talbot Campus
Fern Barrow
Bournemouth
BH12 5BB
Dept of Archaeological Sciences
University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford
BD7 1DP
Dept of Archaeology
University of Bristol
55 Woodland Road
Bristol
BS8 1UN
Dept of Archaeology
University of Cambridge
Downing Street
Cambridge
CB2 3DZ
Faculty of Oriental Studies
University of Cambridge
Sidgwick Avenue
Cambridge
CB3 9DA
School of History & Archaeology
University of Wales, Cardiff
PO Box 909
Cardiff
CF1 3XU
Department of Archaeology
Trinity College
Carmarthen
SA31 3EP
School of Critical & Contectual Studies
Cumbria College
Brampton Road
Carlisle
CA3 9AY
Dept of History
University College Chester
Parkgate Road
Chester
CH1 4BJ
Dept of Archaeology
University of Durham
South Road
Durham
DH1 3LE
Dept of East Asian Studies
University of Durham
Elvet Hill
Durham
DH1 3TH
School of History
University of East Anglia
Norwich
NR7 4TJ
School of World Art Studies & Museology
University of East Anglia
Norwich
NR7 4TJ
Dept of Environmental Sciences & Mathematics
University of East London
Stratford Campus
Romford Road
Stratford
London
E15 4LZ
Dept of Archaeology
University of Edinburgh
Old High School
Infirmary Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LT
Dept of Classics
University of Edinburgh
David Hume Tower
George Square
Edinburgh
EH8 9JX
Dept of Art History & Theory
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
Essex
CO4 3SQ
Dept of History & Archaeology
University of Exeter
Queen's Building
Queen's Drive
Exeter
EX4 4QH
Dept of Archaeology
University of Glasgow
The Gregory Building
Lilybank Gardens
Glasgow
G12 8QQ
Dept of Geography & Earth Resources
University of Hull
Hull
HU6 7RX
Dept of History
University of Hull
Hull
HU6 7RX
School of European Culture & Languages
University of Kent
Cornwallis Building
Canterbury
CT2 7NF
Dept of Archaeology
University of Wales Lampeter
Lampeter
Dyfed
SA48 7ED
School of Archaeological Studies
University of Leicester
University Road
Leicester
LE1 7RH
School of Archaeology, Classics and Oriental Studies
University of Liverpool
PO Box 147
Liverpool
L69 3BX
Centre for Extra-Mural Studies
Birkbeck College
University of London
26 Russell Square
London
WC1B 5DQ
Dept of Classics
King's College
University of London
The Strand
London
WC2R 2LS
Institute of Archaeology
University College London
31-34 Gordon Square
London
WC1H 0PY
Dept of Art and Archaeology
School of Oriental and African Studies
University of London
Thornhaugh Street
Russell Street
London WC1H 0XG
Dept of Art History & Archaeology
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
School of Biological Sciences
University of Manchester
Stopford Building
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PT
School of Technology & Design
Nene College
St Georges Avenue
Northampton
NN2 7AL
Dept of Archaeology
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU
Department of Humanities & Science
University of Wales Newport
Caerleon
PO Box 179
Newport
NP6 1YG
Dept of Archaeology
University of Nottingham
Nottingham
NG7 2RD
Institute of Archaeology
Oxford University
36 Beaumont Street
Oxford
OX1 2PGH
Department of Anthropology
Oxford Brookes University
Gipsey Lane
Headington
Oxford
OX3 0BP
Faculty of Oriental Studies
University of Oxford
Pusey Lane
Oxford
OX1 2LE
Institute of Social & Cultural Anthropology
University of Oxford
51 Banbury Road
Oxford
OX2 6PE
Dept of Archaeology
University of Reading
Whiteknights
PO Box 218
Reading
RG6 2AA
Dept of Ancient History & Dept of Medieval History
University of St Andrews
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9AJ
Scottish Institute of Maritime Studies (postgraduate only)
University of St Andrews
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9AJ
Dept of Archaeology & Prehistory
University of Sheffield
Northgate House
West Street
Sheffield
S1 4ET
Dept of Archaeology
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Centre for Continuing Education - NEW!
Sussex Institute
Essex House
University of Sussex
Brighton
BN1 9QQ
www.sussex.ac.uk/cce/archaeology
We now offer full-time Joint BAs in Geography and Archaeology; Art History and Archaeology; and an MA in Field Archaeology
Dept of Classics and Ancient History
University of Wales Swansea
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP
School of Art and Design (archaeological illustration)
Swindon College
Euclid Street
Swindon
SN1 2JQ
Dept of Classics and Ancient History
University of Warwick
Coventry
CV4 7AL
Department of Archaeology
King Alfred's University College
Medecroft Building
Sparkford Road
Winchester
SO22 4NR
Dept of Archaeology
University of York
King's Manor
York
YO1 7EP
Factsheet content last revised January 2001
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Today's date: 5/7/2008
This page last updated:
6/5/2008 09:47
