Program Overview

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Archaeology BA, DipHE, CertHE, by distance learning

Course Description

Our distance learning courses allow you to study archaeology no matter where in the world you live. The courses are designed to allow you to either study full time or to fit your studies in alongside work and family commitments in a way that works for you. In our distance learning archaeology qualifications you can learn all about the practice of archaeology and how it can be used to make sense of millions of years of human history.

Entry Requirements

Our distance learning undergraduate courses are all completely open access – anyone can join the course as long as they meet English language requirements. This means that we are able to offer qualifications to a far wider range of students than on a traditional campus-based degree.

You need three key things to study with us: first, you need to be passionate and self-motivated. Second, you need to have access to a computer with a good internet connection. You need to be able to use that computer and have some basic IT skills including the ability to access websites, use email, and create a typed document. Third, you need to be able to spend between 12-15 hours a week studying part time, or 24-30 hours a week for full time. It is important to remember that students work at different speeds and have different strengths so these figures are just a guide but making sure you have the time to commit to studying is key.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

International Qualifications

Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Fees and Funding

UK Students

• BA: £21,390
• Diploma: £14,350
• Certificate: £7,275
• Taster module: £1,250

International Students

• BA: £21,390
• Diploma: £14,350
• Certificate: £7,275
• Taster module: £1,250

Careers and Employability

Our courses are designed to enable you to develop your skills and knowledge, whether to enhance your career prospects, proceed to further study, or for general interest.

Our modules cross the traditional academic boundaries of archaeology and ancient history, enabling you to gain a wider knowledge in your chosen area.

Employability skills are embedded throughout our curriculum. You will develop research and IT skills as well as critical thinking.

In addition, we offer our Distance Learning students a chance to take part in our Internships program gaining real-life valuable experience working with heritage bodies while they are still studying.

How Does Distance Learning Work?

Our courses are designed to work for a global audience of students who often lead busy lives. They are delivered by expert academic staff (the same people who teach our campus based courses!). You work remotely at your own pace. You will be given access to our Virtual Learning Environment where all the materials for whichever module you are currently studying will be accessible as well as a student forum with overarching information about our courses.

Students can start their studies at two different points in the year, either in September or February. They can study part time taking one module at once, or full time studying two modules at a time. You can pause your studies at the end of a module if you need to.

The teaching semester is divided into two halves of 6 weeks. There will be 6 sections of material to work though, then you will pause to complete your first assessment. This is followed by a further 6 sections of material before you complete your final assessment. There are no set times when you need to attend class or complete your study work except for assessment deadlines. This means you can fit your studies around your work and family life in a way that works for you whether that is studying in the evenings, at the weekend, or during the daytime.

Each module has its own space in the Virtual Learning Environment where our staff have designed content to help you learn. This might include recorded lectures, guided readings, exercises to complete, podcasts, discussion boards and optional live sessions: each module is different! These materials will guide you through the module content. Each module has a module co-ordinator who is responsible for the delivery of the module. You will hear from them regularly as they guide you through your learning. You will also have access to an e-reading list where all the key sources for the module are linked. In addition, you will also have access to our university library, which has masses of digital resources you can access online - but they’ll also post you physical books too. In addition, they are able to provide lots of help and support, from finding resources to improving your academic skills.

Course Structure

Level 1

• Full-time Year 1; Part-time Years 1 and 2
• The BA in Archaeology is made up of three levels, with each level taking two years for part-time students to complete, or one year for full-time students.
• Each level consists of four modules, lasting 14 weeks each, with breaks in between. Part-time students study each module in turn, whereas full-time students study two modules at a time.

Core Modules

• Aims and Methods in Archaeology (also available as a stand-alone taster module)
• Archaeology BCE
• Introduction to Classical Archaeology
• Archaeology CE

Level 2

• Full-time Year 2; Part-time Years 3 and 4
• Core Modules
• Archaeological Theory
• Interpreting Archaeological Evidence
• A choice of either
• Fieldschool (UoL) OR Fieldschool (Self-organised)
• Choose one optional module from:
• Archaeology of Human Evolution
• Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age Britain and Ireland
• Archaeology of the Roman World
• Medieval Mediterranean

Level 3

• Full-time Year 3; Part-time Years 5 and 6
• Core Modules
• A choice of either
• Research Bootcamp (on campus) OR Research Bootcamp (online)
• Choose two optional modules from:
• Urbanisms
• Archaeology of Religion and Belief
• Archaeology and Heritage
• Britain and the Roman World
• Plus your Dissertation

Why Leicester?

• Students from more than 25 countries have chosen to study archaeology by distance learning with us.
• Our distance learning courses are written and taught by academic staff with specialisms in the subject area. All our teaching is informed by our own original research.
• We are the world leaders in archaeology and ancient history courses by distance learning. This is not just a marketing boast – we have been teaching students by distance learning for nearly 20 years.

Teaching and Learning

• Each module consists of specially prepared self-study materials, which are made available online through Blackboard, our virtual learning environment, and supplemented by our Library's online materials and book-loans-by-post service.
• We recommend that you set aside 12-15 hours study time per module per week. Each module has a module co-ordinator who will be in regular contact with you. They will be available via email or online call to provide advice on academic and study matters.
• Wherever you are in the world, you will have access to University services, including the University’s David Wilson Library and its extensive range of electronic journals and e-books.
• We provide excellent learning support, delivered by the same expert archaeology academics and professionals as our on-campus courses.

Assessment

• Modules are assessed by a variety of types of coursework. This includes written coursework, usually in the form of essays or reports as well as posters, site studies, and exercises. There are no examinations and no requirements for you to attend the University campus for assessments.
• In addition to your modules you will need to complete fieldwork.

Field School and Research Bootcamp

• The compulsory Level 2 Field School module gives you the opportunity to get practical, hands-on experience in a number of aspects of survey and excavation. You can participate in the week-long field school that we organise each year in Leicestershire, or opt to make your own fieldwork arrangements.
• At level 3 you will take a Research Bootcamp module to prepare you for your dissertation. You can either come to campus for this and have a week-long practical laboratory-based experience at the University of Leicester or you can take this module remotely like your other modules.