BSc Archaeology and Heritage Science
About this course
A BSc in Archaeology and Heritage Science, an archaeological degree focused on material remains, historical periods, and scientific conservation methods. Core topics include Research Methods. The course includes a professional placement following the first year. The first year covers core topics through Analysing Archaeology, Discovering Archaeology, The Archaeology of Britain: Prehistory to Present, and The Archaeology of Mediterranean Societies. Year 2 introduces Explanation and Interpretation in Archaeology, Professional Placement in Archaeology or Heritage, Applied Archaeological and Heritage Science, and Archaeology Independent Study. The final year focuses on advanced study including Forensic and Osteoarchaeology and Museums' Collections Management. Optional modules span areas such as conservation, spatial technologies, and period-specific studies like Roman Britain.
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.
What students say
Based on about 15 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 50%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 20%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 66 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 57%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 13%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 16%
- Elementary occupations: 11%
- Teaching Professionals: 11%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 9%
- Engineering professionals: 8%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 330 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 7%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 15%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 19%
- Wales: 29%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Modules
- Analysing Archaeology
- Discovering Archaeology
- The Archaeology of Britain: Prehistory to Present
- The Archaeology of Mediterranean Societies
- A World Full of Gods
- Projecting the Past: Film, Media and Heritage
- Visual Analysis of Artefacts
- Explanation and Interpretation in Archaeology
- Professional Placement in Archaeology or Heritage
- Applied Archaeological and Heritage Science
- Archaeology Independent Study
- Archaeological Illustration and Photography
- An Introduction to Greek Art and Archaeology
- An Introduction to Prehistoric Britain and Europe
- Conservation in Field Archaeology
- Forensic and Osteoarchaeology
- Museums' Collections Management
- Essentials of Conservation
- Roman Britain
- Evidence Based Preservation of Organics
- Managing Metallic and Inorganic Cultural Heritage
- Spatial Technologies and Geographical Information Systems
- Britain in the Early Medieval World
- Archaeology Dissertation
- Further Professional Placement in Archaeology or Heritage
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Archaeology and Heritage Science at Cardiff University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £32,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,000 and £40,500. The £32,500 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Forensic and archaeological sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Archaeology and Heritage Science at Cardiff University do next?
83% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Archaeology and Heritage Science at Cardiff University?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Archaeology and Heritage Science at Cardiff University?
The typical offer is BBB at A level. The average entrant had 148 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BSc Archaeology and Heritage Science at Cardiff University?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.