BSc Archaeology
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Archaeology. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Optional units allow tailoring towards scientific or arts-based routes, and an optional five-week or 30-week industry placement is available. An Independent Research Project is completed in the final year, with fieldwork training at a dedicated Field School on real excavation sites.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
For 2027 entry: 112–128 UCAS tariff points (A-level grades BBC–ABB) including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent qualifications. We also accept a wide range of vocational qualifications including BTEC Extended Diploma (grade DMM–DDM) and T Levels (Merit).
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What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 84%
- Learning opportunities: 71%
- Assessment and feedback: 67%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 50%
- Learning resources: 82%
- Student voice: 52%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 20%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 20%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 30 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 10%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 15%
- South East: 25%
- South West: 30%
- Wales: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Foundation course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accreditation by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), working in partnership with University Archaeology UK (UAUK), recognises academic programmes which provide students with appropriate workplace skills relevant to both a career in the historic environment and CIfA membership at Practitioner grade.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Archaeology and Anthropology
- Scientific Researcy Skills
- The Human Past
- Practical Archaeology
- Material Worlds
- Debates in Archaeology and Anthropology
- Artefact Studies
- Archaeological Field Skills
- Research Skills
- Becoming Human
- Principles of Biological Anthropology
- Environmental Archaeology
- Applied Geophysical Survey
- Geomatics and GIS
- Hunters, Farmers, and Heroes: Social and Cultural trajectories in late Prehistoric Europe
- Contemporary Theory in Archaeology and Anthropology
- Scientific Diving
- Working with Cultural Heritage
- Open Curriculum Elective
- Rome & Barbarian Europe
- Independent Research Project (A&A)
- Archaeological Management and Professional Practice
- Between Heaven and Earth: the archaeology of landscapes and skyscapes
- Digital Approaches to Archaeology & Anthropology
- Fields of Conflict: Violence and warfare in the human past
- Making Land: The Origins of Agriculture
- Sarup to Stonehenge: Early farming communities in northwestern Europe
- People and Nature in Amazonia
- People, Production and Place
- Open Curriculum Elective
- Animals & Society
- Roman Britain
- Maritime Archaeology
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Archaeology at Bournemouth University earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,000 and £29,000. The £23,500 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Archaeology.
What do graduates of BSc Archaeology at Bournemouth University do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Archaeology at Bournemouth University?
84% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Archaeology at Bournemouth University?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 94 UCAS points.
Is BSc Archaeology at Bournemouth University accredited?
Yes. Accreditation by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), working in partnership with University Archaeology UK (UAUK), recognises academic programmes which provide students with appropriate workplace skills relevant to both a career in the historic environment and CIfA membership at Practitioner grade.
Does BSc Archaeology at Bournemouth University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BSc Archaeology at Bournemouth University?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.