Program Overview

Overview

The BA Museum Studies and Archaeology with Professional Placement degree at the University of Reading offers students a unique opportunity to combine the study of museology with the excitement of archaeological discovery. This four-year program includes a professional placement year, providing students with vital industry experience and enhancing their employability.

Program Details

• UCAS Code: PV15
• A-Level Offer: BBB
• Year of Entry: 2026/27
• Course Duration: Full Time: 4 Years

Learning Structure

The program is divided into four years, with the third year dedicated to a professional placement. The first two years cover a range of compulsory and optional modules, introducing students to the principles of archaeology, museum studies, and professional practice. The final year focuses on specialized modules, including a dissertation and exhibition project.

Compulsory Modules

Year 1

• Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day
• Archaeology Today: Methods and Practice
• Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt and Rome
• Presenting the Past: An Introduction to Museum Studies

Year 2

• Archaeology and Heritage: Past, Present and Future
• Ancient Objects: Materials and Meanings
• Museum Learning and Engagement
• Curatorship and Collections Management

Year 3

• Professional Placement Year

Year 4

• Display Design, Planning and Creation: Project Module
• Dissertation in Archaeology
• Optional modules including Objects and Identities in the Roman Empire, Biological Anthropology, Post-excavation: Assessment, Analysis and Publication in the Profession, among others.

Entry Requirements

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

Fees

• New UK/Republic of Ireland Students: ｣9,790 for 2026 entry
• New International Students: ｣25,850 for 2026/27
• Placement Year Fees: 15% of the usual tuition fee for that year

Careers

Graduates from the Department of Archaeology have a high employment rate, with 90% 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 the Ashmolean Museum.

Related Subjects

• Archaeology
• Classics and Classical Studies
• Museum Studies

This program at the University of Reading provides a comprehensive education in museum studies and archaeology, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in these fields.