BA Archaeology
About this course
BA (Hons) in Archaeology, an anthropology and archaeology degree centered on the study of human societies, ancient civilizations, and material evidence through four main subjects: Archaeology, Assyriology, Biological Anthropology, and Egyptology. Students can choose to specialise from their first year or study a broad range of subjects across the three years of the course. The curriculum includes opportunities for field trips, study tours, and practical fieldwork in Europe and beyond. Students select from four distinct subject tracks: Archaeology, Assyriology, Biological Anthropology, and Egyptology. Depending on the chosen track, academic requirements involve a compulsory field trip during the Easter vacation in the second year, followed by four weeks of departmental fieldwork or a study tour during the subsequent summer vacation. Teaching is supported by dedicated research facilities, including the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, purpose-built laboratories, and the Duckworth Collections. Assessment and practical training draw on extensive resources from local museums and professional field units.
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
A level: A*AA IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level . We don't ask for any specific subjects to apply to Archaeology. We’d recommend certain subjects for a strong application, ideally any combination of arts, humanities, sciences or social sciences.
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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: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 47%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 69%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 40%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 30%
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 81%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 74%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 370 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 11%
- London: 59%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 10%
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): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Archaeology at University of Cambridge earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £31,500 after 3 years, £43,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £33,000 and £66,000. The £43,500 median after five years is £13,000 more than the UK median for Anthropology.
What do graduates of BA Archaeology at University of Cambridge do next?
70% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Archaeology at University of Cambridge?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Archaeology at University of Cambridge?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level, or 41 points in the IB. The average entrant had 189 UCAS points.
Is BA Archaeology at University of Cambridge 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.
How many students continue on BA Archaeology at University of Cambridge?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.