Archaeology (BA)

at Cardiff University

Course structure

 

We are currently working with our students to update and improve the content of this course. The information shown below reflects the current curriculum and is likely to change. The review of the course is expected to be completed by August 2022 and this page will be updated by end of October 2022 to reflect the changes.

 

The BA in Archaeology is a three-year degree which provides a level of training, skill and knowledge that is respected within professional archaeology and which serves students well when applying for postgraduate study, for employment in archaeology and the heritage sector, and for employment outside of the discipline. It offers a huge range of choice which students can tailor to their own interests.  You will study 120 credits of modules in each year.

 

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2022/2023 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2022.

 

Year one
You take 80 credits of modules in Archaeology of your yearly total of 120 credits. Your remaining 40 credits can be taken from another subject within the School..

 

In a year giving you a thorough grounding in the subject, you will be introduced to the techniques and approaches that archaeologists employ, as well as the archaeology of specific societies.

 

You undertake your first fieldwork project in the summer at the end of the first year, although it is credited to the Autumn Semester of Year Two.  This project is taught through four-weeks of student participation on archaeological excavations, field-surveys, museum curatorial projects or other post-excavation, laboratory-based activities.

 

Year two
Years two and three are taught together as Part Two, with modules are offered on alternate years giving you a vast range of topics.

 

Over the two years, you take 240 credits of modules in total. You study core modules (80 credits, 60 credits taught in the second year) and choose from a wide range of period, topic, or technique specific modules within Archaeology and Ancient History, allowing you a great deal of flexibility to follow the subjects you are most interested in.

 

In Year Two, you  take the Archaeological Independent Study module, enabling you to follow your own special interests in depth.

 

You undertake your second fieldwork project in the summer at the end of the second year, although it is credited to the Autumn Semester of Year Two.  This project is taught through four-weeks of student participation on archaeological excavations, field-surveys, museum curatorial projects or other post-excavation, laboratory-based activities.

 

Year three
Years two and three are taught together as Part Two, with modules are offered on alternate years giving you a vast range of topics.

 

You study one core modules (20 credits) and for your remaining modules (100 credits) you choose from a wide range of period, topic, or technique specific modules within Archaeology and Ancient History, allowing you a great deal of flexibility to follow the subjects you are most interested in.

 

In Year Three you have the option of taking the Archaeology Dissertation module, enabling you to follow your own special interests in greater depth.

 

The Year Three fieldwork project is taken in the summer at the end of the second year, although it is credited to the Autumn Semester of Year Three.  This project is taught through four-weeks of student participation on archaeological excavations, field-surveys, museum curatorial projects or other post-excavation, laboratory-based activities.

A level
BBB-BBC

Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

 

International Baccalaureate
31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

 

GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.

 

IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.

 

TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.

 

PTE Academic
At least 62 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.

 

Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.

Tuition fees for 2022 entry

Fees for home status

• £9,000    

 

Fees for overseas status

• £18,950

Our graduates progress into a wide range of careers using the skills gained throughout their degrees. Some choose to pursue professions making direct use of their discipline expertise, whilst others enter the public or private sectors, from teaching to graduate-track management.

 

96% of the School’s 2016/17 graduates reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduation (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey).

 

Taking the Class of 2017 as our most recent example, graduates from the School have gone on to roles in archaeology, the heritage sector, teaching, the civil service, the military, banking and insurance, and the charity sector, with employers ranging from the National Museum Wales and Oxford Archaeology East, to County Council authorities and Schools.

 

During your degree you can take full advantage of the wide-range of opportunities provided by the Careers Service, enhanced by the School’s Workplace Partnerships Officer.

 

Graduate careers

• Field Archaeologist
• Lecturer
• Heritage Conservationist