Program Overview

BA Museum Studies and Archaeology with International Foundation Year

The BA Museum Studies and Archaeology with International Foundation Year course enables students to combine the study of museology with the excitement of archaeological discovery. This programme is designed for international students who want to study museum studies and archaeology at a British university but don't have the correct qualifications.

Overview

Our four-year BA Museum Studies and Archaeology with International Foundation Year programme enables students to undertake an undergraduate museum studies and archaeology degree. Students will complete a foundation year (called Year 0) before progressing onto our three-year BA Museum Studies and Archaeology degree, joining the Department of Archaeology.

Choose the University of Reading

The University of Reading is ranked 49th in the world for Archaeology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025). It is also 1st in the UK for research quality and research outputs in Archaeology (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of REF 2021). Additionally, 100% of the university's research in History is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), combining 4, 3 and 2* submissions – History).

Course Structure

• International Foundation Year
• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3

Compulsory Modules

Year 1

• Academic Skills: Acquire academic study and communication skills to support undergraduate studies.
• Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day: Discover how archaeological research has shaped our understanding of human society.
• Archaeology Today: Methods and Practice: Uncover the main methods and practices currently employed in modern archaeology.
• Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt and Rome: Discover the archaeology of the world's early empires.
• Presenting the Past: An Introduction to Museum Studies: Examine how contemporary museum practice contributes to social challenges.

Year 2

• Archaeology and Heritage: Past, Present and Future: Discover how and why archaeologists have excavated and interpreted the material remains of past societies.
• Ancient Objects: Materials and Meanings: Learn the skills, techniques and interpretative frameworks specific to the study of artefacts.
• Museum Learning and Engagement: Critically examine the learning role of museums in society.
• Curatorship and Collections Management: Explore the methods used by professionals to store, catalogue, and research objects.

Year 3

• Display Design, Planning and Creation: Project Module: Put learning into practice to research, design, and install a public exhibition using the University collections.

Optional Modules

A range of optional modules are available, including:

• Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death
• Contemporary World Cultures: An Introduction to Social Anthropology
• Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis
• Roman History: The Rise and Fall of the Republic
• Ancient Song
• Chivalry: The Emergence and Impact of a Medieval Ethos
• The Rwanda Genocide of 1994
• Warfare in Early Modern Europe, c.
• Optional Language and University Wide Modules

Entry Requirements

• A Level: See entry requirements
• AS and A Levels: 72 UCAS tariff points
• International Baccalaureate: 24 points from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or International Baccalaureate Certificate
• GCSE: Grades 9–4 (A*–C) in five subjects, or equivalent qualifications
• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 5.5 in IELTS, with no component below 5.5

Fees

• New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £23,000 for 2026/27 Foundation year, then rising to the standard course fees for the duration of bachelor's level study
• New international students: £23,000 for 2026/27 Foundation year, then rising to the standard course fees for the duration of bachelor's level study

Careers

This degree can lead to a variety of careers, including heritage management, commercial archaeology, and research, as well as disciplines such as teaching, business, publishing, and marketing. Overall, 90% of graduates from Archaeology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. Past graduates have gone on to work for employers such as Thames Valley Archaeological Services, The Museum of London Archaeology, and Wessex Archaeology.