Archaeology BA, DipHE, CertHE, Short course - one module, by distance learning, 1-6 years
Course information
UK/EU fee £19,005
International fee £19,005
Institute code L34
Taught by Archaeology and Ancient History
Distance Learning Hub Administrators
+44 (0)116 252 2903
dladmissions@le.ac.uk
Can’t make it to campus? In this distance learning degree, you can still learn about the theory and practice of archaeology, and how it can be used to make sense of millions of years of human history.
Course description
Course description
This course will introduce you to key themes in the study of archaeology and enable you to further your knowledge of the wide chronological and geographical range of the discipline. You will develop your ability to draw upon appropriate archaeological theories, methods, techniques and concepts in order to develop your understanding of the past through material culture and other residues.
Throughout your degree there are several opportunities for you to develop and enhance your practical skills through fieldwork and laboratory work.
This course is based on our extensive experience in developing and teaching both archaeology and ancient history courses and our world-leading research. Our modules cross the traditional academic boundaries of archaeology and ancient history, enabling you to gain a wider knowledge of your chosen topic.
We will provide you with an intellectually challenging and stimulating curriculum that draws on the expertise of Archaeology and Ancient History members. We have a proven track record of successfully delivering distance learning courses that will help you gain the transferable skills necessary for successful career development or further academic study. As a result, our courses are highly valued by employers, who recognise the key transferable and subject-specific skills gained.
For more information on how distance learning works at the University of Leicester, please visit our Distance Learning pages.
If you're interested in studying this course full-time rather than part-time, please contact that Distance Learning Hub on dlstudy@le.ac.uk, or call +44 (0)116 252 2903.
If you have any questions about this course, join us for a live online chat with academic tutors and admissions staff.
What's the Difference?
BA/Diploma/Certificate
If you know from the outset that you can’t, or don’t want to, commit to a full BA, you can apply for the Certificate or Diploma only. Similarly, if for any reason, after you have applied, you are unable to complete the full BA course, you can opt to leave at the end of Level 1 with a Certificate or at the end of Level 2 with a Diploma.
Levels and Qualifications
- Level 1 - Certificate (1 year full-time, 2 years part-time)
- Levels 1 and 2 - Diploma (2 years full-time, 4 years part-time)
- Levels 1, 2 and 3 - BA (3 years full-time, 6 years part-time)
Perhaps you don’t want a formal qualification, but would just like to study archaeology or ancient history for interest? It's possible to study up to two Level 1 or 2 modules without registering for a formal qualification. Successful completion of an associate module will entitle you to a transcript formally recording your achievement and you may be able to count the credits achieved on that module towards further undergraduate study at Leicester or elsewhere at a later date.
If you have studied Archaeology at undergraduate level before, it may be possible for you to transfer the credits from your previous study. For example, if you already hold a Certificate in Archaeology, you may be able to enter the courses at the Level 2/Diploma stage. In order for us to assess your eligibility to transfer credits, we will need to see a transcript of any credits you have achieved to date, showing the title of all modules and the marks/grades awarded.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Our distance learning Archaeology and Ancient History courses do not have formal entry requirements – you just need to demonstrate an active interest in archaeology and ancient history and a genuine commitment to putting the time in to study.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK and EU Students
This is the total course fee. You will pay this fee wherever in the world you live.
Starting in October 2020, February 2021 or June 2021
- BA: £19,005
- Diploma: £12,670
- Certificate: £6,335
- One module: £1,060
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
International Students
This is the total course fee. You will pay this fee wherever in the world you live.
Starting in October 2020, February 2021 or June 2021
- BA: £19,005
- Diploma: £12,670
- Certificate: £6,335
- One module: £1,060
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Our courses are designed to enable you to develop your skills and knowledge, whether to enhance your career prospects, proceed to further study, or for general interest.
Our modules cross the traditional academic boundaries of archaeology and ancient history, enabling you to gain a wider knowledge in your chosen area.
Employability skills are embedded throughout our curriculum.
Our Career Development Service is here to support you – by email, phone or skype – with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience and more. From registration to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Course structure
Level 1
Level 1
Full-time Year 1; Part-time Years 1 and 2
The BA in Archaeology is made up of three levels, with each level taking two years for part-time students to complete, or one year for full-time students. Each level consists of six modules, lasting 12 weeks each, with short breaks in between. Part-time students study each module in turn, whereas full-time students study two modules at a time.
Core module
Option modules
Choose five option modules from:
- Early Prehistory
- Later Prehistory
- Classical Archaeology
- Medieval Archaeology
- Post-Medieval Archaeology
- Archaeology of Egypt, Nubia and the Middle Nile
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Level 2
Level 2
Full-time Year 2; Part-time Years 3 and 4
Core modules
- Archaeological Theory
- Interpreting Archaeological Evidence: Material Culture and Environment
- Field School
Option modules
Choose three option modules from:
- The Rise of States in the Old World
- The Mediterranean in the Medieval World
- Being Human: Evolution and Prehistory
- Archaeology of the Roman World
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Level 3
Level 3
Full-time Year 3; Part-time Years 5 and 6
Core modules
- Archaeology of Urbanism
- Archaeology, Religion and Belief
- Households and Families in the Past
- Archaeological Practice (includes a compulsory laboratory course in Leicester)
Plus your Dissertation
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Students from more than 25 countries have chosen to study archaeology by distance learning with us.
We are the world leaders in archaeology and ancient history courses by distance learning. This is not just a marketing boast – we have been teaching students by distance learning for nearly 20 years.
Our distance learning courses are written and taught by academic staff with specialisms in the subject area. All our teaching is informed by our own original research.
Teaching and learning
Each module consists of specially prepared self-study materials, which are delivered by post to your door and supplemented with additional material made available online through Blackboard, our virtual learning environment.
We recommend that you set aside 15-20 hours study time per module per week. You will be allocated an academic tutor for each module. Your tutors are available by email or phone to provide advice on academic and study matters.
Wherever you are in the world, you will have access to University services, including the University’s David Wilson Library and its extensive range of electronic journals and e-books.
We provide excellent learning support, delivered by the same expert archaeology academics and professionals as our on-campus courses.
Because we understand that many of our students are combining study with demanding careers and family lives, we provide a range of entry and exit points onto our courses, along with the opportunity to move between full-time and part-time study if circumstances change.
We received a maximum 24 in the most recent QAA teaching assessment, so you can be confident that we can translate our leading research into effective and relevant teaching, allowing you to gain maximum benefit. We have some of the most satisfied students in the country, with consistently high student ratings in the National Student Survey.
Assessment
Modules are assessed by written coursework, usually in the form of essays or reports. There are no examinations and no requirements for you to attend the University campus for assessments, although please note that the fieldwork and lab session in Leicester are compulsory.
Field School and Lab Session
The compulsory Level 2 Field School module gives you the opportunity to get practical, hands-on experience in a number of aspects of survey and excavation. You can participate in the week-long field school that we organise each year at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire, or opt to make your own fieldwork arrangements.
The compulsory Level 3 Archaeological Practice module requires attendance at a week-long practical laboratory-based session at the University of Leicester. This lab session is held in May of Year 5 or 6 if you are a part-time student, or in May of Year 3 if you are a full-time student.
Key dates
Start date: 5 October 2020
Application deadline for October 2020 start: 21 September 2020
Start date: 1 February 2021
Application deadline for February 2021 start: 18 January 2021
Start date: 7 June 2021
Application deadline for June 2021 start: 24 May 2021
Start date: 4 October 2021
Application deadline for October 2021 start: 20 September 2021
Start date: 7 February 2022
Application deadline for February 2022 start: 24 January 2022
Start date: 6 June 2022
Application deadline for June 2022 start: 23 May 2022
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Archaeology | Qualification BA | Duration 3 years full-time | Start Dates February, June and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Archaeology | Qualification BA | Duration 6 years part-time | Start Dates February, June and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
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| Course Archaeology | Qualification CertHE | Duration 1 year full-time | Start Dates February, June and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Archaeology | Qualification CertHE | Duration 2 years part-time | Start Dates February, June and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Archaeology | Qualification Taster module | Duration 4-8 months part-time | Start Dates February, June and October each year | Availability Apply Now |