Program Overview

BSc Archaeological Science - 2026 entry

Overview

The BSc Archaeological Science is a unique course that provides training in the theory and practice of archaeological scientific methods to investigate the past. The course offers fieldwork opportunities in the UK or abroad, allowing students to gain insight into the nuts and bolts of scientific approaches, their contexts of application, their strengths and limitations.

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer: A-Level: ABB-BBB, IB: 32/655-30/555, BTEC: DDM
• Contextual offers: A-Level: BBC-BCC, IB: 28/554-26/544, BTEC: DMM
• Required subjects: B in a Science subject (A-Level), HL5 in a Science subject (IB), Applicants studying either the BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma or Extended Certificate in a Science subject will be considered without GCE A-Level Science
• GCSE: C or 4 in English Language
• Access to HE: 24 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade, To include 12 L3 Credits at Merit Grade in an acceptable Science subject area
• T-Level: Merit, Applicants studying a T-Level will also require GCE A-Level grade B in a Science subject

Course Content

Year 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • ARC1070: Practical Skills in Archaeology (30 credits)
  • ARC1007: Archaeological and Forensic Science Practicals (15 credits)
  • ARC1010: Themes in World Archaeology (15 credits)
  • ARC1020: Essential Archaeological Methods (15 credits)
  • ARC1040: Artefacts and Materials (15 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • ARC1008: Forensic Archaeology (15 credits)
  • ARC1030: Investigating British Archaeology (15 credits)
  • ARC1080: Archaeology and Heritage: Past and Futures (15 credits)
  • ARA1030: Introduction to Islamic Archaeology (15 credits)

Year 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • ARC2003: Archaeological Fieldwork Project (30 credits)
  • ARC2004: Archaeological Fieldschool (30 credits)
  • ARC2130: Discovering the Past with Molecular Science (15 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • Archaeological Science Stage 2 Scientific Modules 2025-6:
    • ARC2504: Zooarchaeology (15 credits)
    • ARC2514: Forensic Anthropology (15 credits)
    • ARC2123: Sustainability and Collapse in Past Societies (15 credits)
  • Archaeological Science Stage 2 Option Modules 2025-6:
    • ARA2014: Regions and Empires in Islamic Archaeology (15 credits)
    • ARC2121: Brooches, Beads, Swords and Shields: Early Medieval Material Culture (15 credits)
    • ARC2406: Medieval Castles in Context (15 credits)
    • ARC2012: Monumental Changes: Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Britain and Ireland (15 credits)
    • ARC2131: Palaeolithic Archaeology of Homo Sapiens 100,000-12,000 BP (15 credits)
    • ARC2408: Romanisation: Interaction, Conquest and Change in Late Iron Age and Roman Dacia (15 credits)
    • ARC2120: Things and Us: Ancient and Contemporary Material Culture (15 credits)
    • ARC2401: Understanding the Landscape of Medieval Britain (15 credits)

Placement Year (if taken)

• Typically, any placement year will take place in Year 3. If you are not taking a placement year, please see the Final Year modules for year 3.

Final Year

• Compulsory modules:
  • ARC3010: Archaeological Science Dissertation (45 credits)
  • ARC3013: Practicing Archaeological, Forensic and Heritage Science (15 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • Archaeological Science Final Stage Scientific Modules 2025-6:
    • ARC3133: Digital Pasts (15 credits)
    • ARC3510: Experimental Approaches to Forensic and Archaeological Investigations (15 credits)
    • ARC3611: Funerary Osteoarchaeology (15 credits)
    • ARC3123: Sustainability and Collapse in Past Societies (15 credits)
  • Archaeological Science Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6:
    • ARC3121: Brooches, Beads, Swords and Shields: Early Medieval Material Culture (15 credits)
    • ARC3406: Medieval Castles in Context (15 credits)
    • ARC3012: Monumental changes: Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Britain and Ireland (15 credits)
    • ARC3408: Romanisation: Interaction, Conquest and Change in Late Iron Age and Roman Dacia (15 credits)
    • ARC3120: Things and Us: Ancient and Contemporary Material Culture (15 credits)
    • ARC3401: Understanding the Landscape of Medieval Britain (15 credits)

Course Variants

BSc Archaeological Science with Study Abroad

• UCAS code: F421
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Streatham Campus
• Discipline: Archaeology

BSc Archaeological Science with Employment Experience

• UCAS code: F422
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Streatham Campus
• Discipline: Archaeology

BSc Archaeological Science with Employment Experience Abroad

• UCAS code: F423
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Streatham Campus
• Discipline: Archaeology

Fees

• Tuition fees for 2025 entry:
  • UK students: £9,535 per year
  • International students: £24,700 per year

Scholarships

• The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships.

Learning and Teaching

• You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, field trips, and computer-led learning, led by internationally respected academics at the forefront of research.
• You will develop a range of skills of analysis, assessment and interpretation, as well as the production of written and oral reports.
• Teamwork, problem solving, analysis, research, presentation and organisational skills are all developed through a programme that is both practical and theoretical.

Facilities

• Experimental Archaeology Labs
• Bioarchaeology Lab
• Clean Lab and fume cupboards for preparing stable isotope samples
• Landscape archaeology project office
• Microscope room equipped with high specification microscopes and image processing facilities
• Digital Humanities Lab
• Wet labs for artefact and environmental sample processing
• Digital x-ray facilities and equipment for elemental analysis
• State-of-the-art surveying equipment
• Outdoor experimental space

Fieldwork

• Fieldwork is an essential part of our undergraduate Archaeology courses and you will have the opportunity to attend regular trips to museums, archives and archaeological sites.
• All students have the opportunity to spend time in the field, usually over the summer between the first and second year.

Your Future

• The broad-based skills acquired during your degree will give you an excellent grounding for a wide variety of careers.
• Should you want to progress onto a career in the Archaeology, Heritage or Museum sectors, the Archaeological Science degree at Exeter will equip you with the skills which you will need to succeed.
• You will have the opportunity to progress to a wide range of careers in areas, such as archaeological research and consultancy, conservation, local government planning, commercial labs and units, education, business, finance and defence.