Program Overview

BA Archaeology and Anthropology with Study Year Abroad

The BA Archaeology and Anthropology with Study Year Abroad degree at the University of Reading is a four-year program that combines the study of archaeology and anthropology, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of human societies and cultures from the past to the present.

Overview

This program allows students to explore the archaeological past and cultures of today, examining the material evidence from our past and present, while also focusing on human development and contemporary cultures. By studying these disciplines together, students will gain insight into what it means to be human and will be able to address critical issues that are relevant to our shared global future.

Structure

The program consists of four years of study, with the third year spent abroad at one of the university's partner institutions. The first two years provide a foundation in archaeology and anthropology, with compulsory modules such as "Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day" and "Archaeology Today: Methods and Practice." The third year is spent abroad, where students can further their studies and gain valuable international experience. The final year includes a dissertation and optional modules such as "The Anthropology of Heritage and Cultural Property" and "Biological Anthropology."

Compulsory Modules

• Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day
• Archaeology Today: Methods and Practice
• Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death
• Contemporary World Cultures: An Introduction to Social Anthropology
• Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt and Rome
• Archaeology and Heritage: Past, Present and Future
• Archaeology Field School and Professional Practice
• Changing the Face of the Earth: Past, Present and Future Sustainability
• Methods and Approaches in Ethnographic Practice
• Dissertation in Archaeology

Optional Modules

• Presenting the Past: An Introduction to Museum Studies
• Landscapes and Natural Resources
• Approaching Human Geography
• Geographical Imaginaries
• Optional Language or University-Wide Module
• Prehistoric Europe: The First Million Years
• Medieval Europe: Power, Religion and Death
• Entertainment and Leisure in Roman Society
• Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis
• Ancient Objects: Materials and Meanings
• Bioarchaeology
• Summer Placement
• Encountering Political Geographies
• Museum Learning and Engagement
• Curatorship and Collections Management
• The Anthropology of Heritage and Cultural Property
• Objects and Identities in the Roman Empire
• Biological Anthropology
• Emergence of Civilisation in Mesopotamia
• The First Europeans: Archaeology of the Lower Palaeolithic
• The Archaeology and Anthropology of Food
• Living in Medieval Towns
• Cities in the 21st Century
• Reimagining Development in Africa
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Putting Theory into Practice

Entry Requirements

• A Level: BBB
• International Baccalaureate: 30 points overall
• Extended Project Qualification: accepted as part of a formal offer
• BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

Fees

• New UK/Republic of Ireland students: ｣9,790 (2026 entry)
• New international students: ｣30,650 (2026/27)
• Year abroad fees: 15% of usual tuition fee for that year

Careers

Graduates from the BA Archaeology and Anthropology with Study Year Abroad program have gone on to work in a variety of fields, including archaeology, heritage, anthropology, and related industries. The program provides students with a range of practical and academic skills, making them highly employable in a range of sectors. Past graduates have gone on to work for employers such as Thames Valley Archaeological Services, The Museum of London Archaeology, and Wessex Archaeology.

Archaeology Field School

The program includes a compulsory four-week field school in the summer before the second year, where students can develop essential practical archaeological skills through hands-on excavation experience. The field school provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in all aspects of an archaeological excavation, including excavation, surveying, mapping, planning, and finds processing.