Program Overview

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Archaeology (BA)

Award

Bachelor of Arts

Typical Offer

ABB-BBB

Duration

3 years

Course Type

Full-time

Campus

Avenue

UCAS Course code

V400

About this course

From the Aztecs and Mayans to Ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire and the medieval world, you'll study the story of human activity and the origins of civilisation. A BA in archaeology explores how human societies came into being, how and why they changed over time, and the underlying reasons for human diversity today.

Archaeology is the study of the human past through its material remains. Our archaeology bachelor degree teaches you transferable skills through exploring questions about people in the past and in the present. You'll learn in the laboratory, the library or in the field and develop the skills needed to explore contested narratives.

You'll have the opportunity to experience fieldwork, including at least 3 weeks as part of an active research project. This is usually done during the summer period, and may be in the UK or overseas, preparing you for a career as an archaeologist.

BA Archaeology covers a wide range of world archaeology. You can study topics such as:

• excavation and field survey techniques
• underwater archaeology
• artefacts analysis
• medieval archaeology
• museums, heritage and public archaeology

Archaeology combines the humanities and the sciences, working with historical texts and artefacts. You'll develop a range of transferable skills, including:

• evidence-based reasoning
• problem-solving
• project management

This archaeology BA degree gives you the opportunity to study a minor subject alongside your main programme.

Year in employment

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial placement year. You will typically take a placement year between your second and third year. Talk to your Personal Academic Tutor about this if you are interested in learning more.

Year abroad

Experience an extra year studying abroad with one of our worldwide partner universities.

Apply using:

• Course name: BA Archaeology (Year Abroad)
• UCAS code: V401

Entry requirements

A-levels

BBB

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBC and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, wither overall score of 30 points with 15 points at Higher Level

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma. Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an A level. Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus BB in two A levels

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 24 must be at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H3

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Cambridge Pre-U

M2 M2 M2 in three principal subjects

Welsh Baccalaureate

BBB from 3 A levels or BB from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

Not accepted for this course.

Other requirements

• UK students
• International students
• Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

Course structure

Our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers you the chance to take optional modules outside your chosen subject area. Our BA Archeology syllabus allows you to personalise your education, developing new skills and knowledge for your future. Topics range from how to live and work on the web to developing business skills. You can also take a language module, which may count towards your degree. These modules cover 10 languages and range from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level.

Year 1 overview

Compulsory modules will give you a grounding in archaeology, fieldwork and analysis. These cover:

• the development of archaeological and anthropological thought
• archaeological methods you'll need for fieldwork and analysis

You'll also be able to choose from optional modules including:

• human origins
• the landscapes and seascapes of Britain's past
• the ethnography of food and culture
• studying world history through 40 historical objects

Year 2 overview

You will develop your understanding of how archaeology relates to the modern world. You'll also prepare for fieldwork with at least 3 weeks of practical experience in a field school or research project in the UK or overseas.

In addition to these compulsory modules, you can choose modules from approaches and periods, including:

• the Vikings
• archaeological dating
• scientific diving
• archaeological dating

Year 3 overview

In your final year, you'll develop your own specialist interest with a dissertation on a research topic of your choice. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your planning, research, data collation, analysis, and communication skills.

You'll also take a further 6 modules from a wide range of options. You'll be able to specialise in different periods, regions or methods in archaeology. For example, you could study:

• Neolithic Britain
• Iron Age societies
• Ancient Egypt
• museums and heritage
• Roman urbanism
• geographic information systems (GIS)
• molecular archaeology

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3

Year 1

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

22% Scheduled learning & teaching 78% Independent learning

How we'll assess you

• coursework, laboratory reports and essays
• dissertations
• essays
• individual and group projects
• oral presentations
• written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

13% Written exam 76% Coursework 11% Practical exam

Year 2

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 2:

20% Scheduled learning & teaching 80% Independent learning

How we'll assess you

• coursework, laboratory reports and essays
• dissertations
• essays
• individual and group projects
• oral presentations
• written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 2:

31% Written exam 69% Coursework

Year 3

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 3:

14% Scheduled learning & teaching 86% Independent learning

How we'll assess you

• coursework, laboratory reports and essays
• dissertations
• essays
• individual and group projects
• oral presentations
• written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 3:

13% Written exam 78% Coursework 9% Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Commercial awareness
• Self-management
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Local and national government bodies
• Regional councils
• Museums
• British Library
• Universities
• Archaeological contractors and consultants
• Archaeological and heritage service providers

Careers directly related to this course:

• Heritage manager
• Archivist
• Archaeologist
• Historic buildings officer
• Conservation officer
• Academic researcher
• Museum curator
• Gallery exhibitions officer
• Secondary school teacher
• Museum education officer

Wider career opportunities:

• Records manager
• Archivist
• University lecturer
• Palaeontologist
• Government social researcher
• Cartographer
• Museum education officer
• Holidays product manager
• Policy officer
• Tourism officer

Example job titles of Southampton BA Archaeology graduates*:

• Senior field archaeologist
• Archaeologist
• Assistant archaeologist
• Bid writer
• Environmental adviser
• Heritage operations manager
• Archaeological geophysicist
• Assistant geophysical archaeologist
• Archaeological consultant

Job prospects for BA Archaeology graduates

£24.5k Average professional salary 80% In a skilled profession or further study 92% Graduate employment rate

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,535.
• EU and international students pay £24,200.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.