Archaeology BA

3-4 years

What can we learn from the past? What do the artefacts archaeologists dig up tell us about civilisations, communities and individuals? Learn practical skills and develop a unique long-term perspective on human, animal and material worlds and their relevance to the present.

Archaeology BA, 3-4 years

What can we learn from the past? What do the artefacts archaeologists dig up tell us about civilisations, communities and individuals? Learn practical skills and develop a unique long-term perspective on human, animal and material worlds and their relevance to the present.

Start date:

2025

Course information

Typical offer BBB

UK fee £9,535

UCAS code V400

International fee £21,400

Institute code L34

Taught by Archaeology and Ancient History

Times Higher Education

6th in the UK for Archaeology and Forensic Science (The Times Good University Guide 2025)

Times Higher Education

7th in the UK for Archaeology and Forensic Science graduate prospects (The Times Good University Guide 2025)

National Student Survey logo

Ranked in the top 20 for subjects aligned to Archaeology for ‘overall positivity’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data).

Course description

Course description

Our Archaeology BA will enhance your understanding of the diverse societies of the past through the traces they have left in the form of material objects and texts. We will cover material from the first use of stone tools 3.3 million years ago to the present day.

Leicester is world-famous for our discovery of Richard III, and you’ll benefit from working alongside academics who have made incredible finds.

Practical experience is a key part of the course. You will participate in excavations and learn various fieldwork techniques throughout your degree to equip you with the skills and knowledge to interpret what you unearth. You will have the opportunity to gain experience with local heritage organisations, schools and our professional archaeological unit through Year 2 and 3 module placements, and our accredited internship programme.

You will have the chance to study a diverse range of topics during your time here. Our academic staff have particular expertise in Roman archaeology, prehistory, historical archaeology, heritage, archaeological theory and archaeological sciences, as well as all aspects of Classical (Greek and Roman) history.

Our degrees provide transferable skills in communication, presentation, critical analysis and teamwork. This will be critical for your future career, whether it is in archaeological studies or in one of the wide range of professions that attract our graduates. It does not matter if you have little or no previous experience in archaeology; we have designed our courses for maximum flexibility. This allows you to choose how you want to specialise or diversify, as your knowledge and understanding develop.

At the end of your first year you can choose to transfer to the Archaeology BSc.

What's the difference between the BA and the BSc?

In year one, our BA and BSc follow the same structure, providing you with a broad introduction to archaeology. You then specialise in the second and the third year. This means that there is flexibility to change course at the end of the first year if you change your mind about which is best for you.

  • The Archaeology BA has an emphasis on heritage and the heritage sector.
  • The Archaeology BSc has an emphasis on training as a professional archaeologist.

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Careers and employability

Related courses

Sustainable Development Goals

Course structure

Year 1

Year 1

You will study the archaeological past from the origins of the human species to the 20th century, learning the aims and methods of archaeology along the way. You will also gain practical experience in a wide variety of archaeological skills and be able to take part in a local archaeological fieldschool. Recently we have run fabulous fieldschools at Bradgate Park,with archaeological sites from the Mesolithic to the historic period, including the Tudor mansion of Lady Jane Grey (England's nine-day Queen), and the Iron Age Hillfort of Burrough Hill.

Core modules

In the summer following your first year you will take part in our fieldschool.

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.

Year 2

Year Abroad (optional)

Final Year

Why Leicester?

Reading list

See the types of texts you might read, over the summer, to get a feel for the course and arrive prepared and ready to go.

View a reading list for Archaeology and Ancient History degrees

Archaeology at Leicester

Jo loves the opportunities that the course offers to apply practical skills in a real archaeological setting.

Job prospects are fantastic! A full 100% of our Archaeology students are employed (or studying for a Masters degree) six months after graduating. (DLHE)

Our award-winning archaeological services company, ULAS, offers accredited internships and work experience opportunities every year.

You will be working with, maybe even taught by, the archaeologists who discovered King Richard III.

Between Years 1 and 2 you will work on our annual summer fieldschool. In the past, we have excavated Bradgate Park, home of Lady Jane Grey, and Burrough Hill Iron Age hillfort. In 2020 we will start excavating a brand new site for our fieldschool.

Teaching and learning

Teaching

In this exciting programme, you will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, one-to-one supervision and hands on activities, both on and off campus. Lectures and practical classes with world- leading experts will introduce you to the latest research in your subject area, while the seminars provide you with the opportunity to engage in debate with your peers. You will also have the opportunity to gain practical experience out in the field, in our labs, and through site-visits local to Leicester and beyond. Our BA programme will give you insight into a range of careers in archaeology and the heritage sector more widely.

With an emphasis on small group teaching, the staff and students in the School get to know each other well providing excellent support for your academic studies. In addition, you will be given a personal tutor who can provide one-to-one advice and assistance on academic and personal issues. 

In your third year you will have the opportunity to write a dissertation focusing on an area of archaeology that particularly fascinates you. The dissertation is the culmination of your academic studies: it fosters independence of thought, project-planning and organisation skills, and allows you to develop and demonstrate all the skills and knowledge you have acquired throughout your studies. With one-to-one supervision that will guide you through the various stages of formulating, researching and writing, you will develop your academic expertise and delve deeper into a topic which fascinates you.

Assessment

Our assessments allow you to develop a range of academic and professional skills throughout your degree. You will be assessed through essays, reports, presentations, and practical activities. You will have the opportunity to work with case studies, texts, sites and artefacts, resulting in a range of creative and authentic, real-world forms of assessment. We also have a sector-leading range of internships and placements, including with our in-house company the University of Leicester Archaeological Services, giving you direct experience working in professional archaeology. There is also the option to study abroad for a year, if you want to.  

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.

Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. However, we have a range of clubs and volunteering opportunities which mean you can spend all the time you want involved in the subjects you love! You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.

Academic support

Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:

  • study and exam skills
  • academic writing
  • presentations
  • dissertations
  • numerical data skills
  • referencing sources

Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge inform the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Apply now

Course Qualification Duration UCAS Code Availability
Course Archaeology Qualification BA Duration 3 years full-time UCAS Code V400 Availability How to apply
Course Archaeology with Year Abroad Qualification BA Duration 4 years full-time UCAS Code V400 Availability How to apply

Data about this course

90%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for courses in Archaeology at University of Leicester

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

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90%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for courses in Archaeology at University of Leicester

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

link opens in new tab
students outside at a dig site

Having that connection with the physical remains of the past really captures the imagination.

Hannah

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