Program Overview

BSc Archaeology with Forensic Science - 2026 entry

Overview

The BSc Archaeology with Forensic Science is a unique course that provides sound knowledge of archaeological periods and techniques of forensic archaeology. The course includes fieldwork in the UK or abroad, and students gain insight into forensic techniques used in criminal cases and hear from experts, including scenes of crime and police officers, lawyers, and ballistics specialists. Students also develop skills in the identification of human skeletal remains.

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer: A-Level: ABB-BBB, IB: 30/555, BTEC: DDM
• Contextual offers: A-Level: BBC-BCC, IB: 28/554-26/544, BTEC: DMM
• Required subjects: None
• GCSE: C or 4 in English Language
• Access to HE: 24 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade
• T-Level: Merit
• Other accepted qualifications: View other accepted qualifications
• English language requirements: International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.

Course Content

Year 1

• 90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules
• Compulsory modules:
  • ARC1010: Themes in World Archaeology (15 credits)
  • ARC1020: Essential Archaeological Methods (15 credits)
  • ARC1007: Archaeological and Forensic Science Practicals (15 credits)
  • ARC1008: Forensic Archaeology (15 credits)
  • ARC1070: Practical Skills in Archaeology (30 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • ARA1030: Introduction to Islamic Archaeology (15 credits)
  • ARC1080: Archaeology and Heritage: Past and Futures (15 credits)
  • ARC1007: Archaeological and Forensic Science Practicals (15 credits)
  • ARC1008: Forensic Archaeology (15 credits)

Year 2

• 75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules
• Compulsory modules:
  • ARC2003: Archaeological Fieldwork Project (30 credits)
  • ARC2004: Archaeological Fieldschool (30 credits)
  • ARC2514: Forensic Anthropology (15 credits)
  • BIO2068: Forensic Science (30 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • ARA2014: Regions and Empires in Islamic Archaeology (15 credits)
  • ARC2120: Things and Us: Ancient and Contemporary Material Culture (15 credits)
  • ARC2121: Brooches, Beads, Swords and Shields: Early Medieval Material Culture (15 credits)
  • ARC2123: Sustainability and Collapse in Past Societies (15 credits)
  • ARC2130: Discovering the Past with Molecular Science (15 credits)
  • ARC2401: Understanding the Landscape of Medieval Britain (15 credits)
  • ARC2406: Medieval Castles in Context (15 credits)
  • ARC2408: Romanisation: Interaction, Conquest and Change in Late Iron Age and Roman Dacia (15 credits)
  • ARC2504: Zooarchaeology (15 credits)
  • ARC2514: Forensic Anthropology (15 credits)
  • HIH2002: Uses of the Past (30 credits)
  • CRI2010: Forensic Science, Conflict and Justice (15 credits)
  • CRI2011: Forensic Cultures (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

• 45 credits of compulsory modules, 75 credits of optional modules
• Compulsory modules:
  • ARC3000: Archaeological Dissertation (30 credits)
  • ARC3611: Funerary Osteoarchaeology (15 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • ARC3003: Professional Placement (30 credits)
  • ARC3006A: Advanced Fieldschool (15 credits)
  • ARC3013: Practicing Archaeological, Forensic and Heritage Science (15 credits)
  • ARC3120: Things and Us: Ancient and Contemporary Material Culture (15 credits)
  • ARC3121: Brooches, Beads, Swords and Shields: Early Medieval Material Culture (15 credits)
  • ARC3123: Sustainability and Collapse in Past Societies (15 credits)
  • ARC3133: Digital Pasts (15 credits)
  • ARC3136: Advanced Fieldwork (15 credits)
  • ARC3401: Understanding the Landscape of Medieval Britain (15 credits)
  • ARC3406: Medieval Castles in Context (15 credits)
  • ARC3408: Romanisation: Interaction, Conquest and Change in Late Iron Age and Roman Dacia (15 credits)
  • ARC3510: Experimental Approaches to Forensic and Archaeological Investigations (15 credits)
  • ARC3611: Funerary Osteoarchaeology (15 credits)
  • CRI3010: Forensic Science, Conflict and Justice (15 credits)
  • CRI3011: Forensic Cultures (15 credits)

Course Variants

BSc Archaeology with Forensic Science with Study Abroad

• UCAS code: 54ZW
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Streatham Campus
• Discipline: Archaeology
• Contact: Web: Enquire online, Phone: (UK callers), +44 (0) (EU/International callers)

BSc Archaeology with Forensic Science with Employment Experience

• UCAS code: F492
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Streatham Campus
• Discipline: Archaeology
• Contact: Web: Enquire online, Phone: (UK callers), +44 (0) (EU/International callers)

BSc Archaeology with Forensic Science with Employment Experience Abroad

• UCAS code: F493
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Streatham Campus
• Discipline: Archaeology
• Contact: Web: Enquire online, Phone: (UK callers), +44 (0) (EU/International callers)

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.

Learning and Teaching

• How will I learn?: 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.
• Will I get practical experience?: You will carry out a large amount of practical work, as you complete assignments and put into practice different archaeological and scientific techniques.
• Teaching hours: You will have between 1 and 3 hours of teaching per module per week and will need to allow for additional hours of private study.
• Research-led teaching: Our teaching is inspired by the latest research, ensuring lectures are cutting-edge and you will benefit from access to the latest thinking, equipment, and resources.

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: 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, this will often take place on a university-led excavation, but students may also register on approved external digs.

Your Future

• Employer-valued skills this course develops: Archaeology combines humanities and scientific disciplines, providing good opportunities to develop the skills that are attractive to employers.
• Career support: We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service, ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors, and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation.
• Career paths: 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.