BA Archaeology
About this course
BA in Archaeology, studying material evidence from prehistory to the present day. Core topics include Research Methods. Professional placements of eight weeks take place in the summers following Years One and Two, typically on archaeological excavations in the UK and overseas. A second-year independent study module leads to an archaeology dissertation in the final year.
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: BBB
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for BA Archaeology (F400) at Cardiff University for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is BBB at A level.
What students say
Based on about 41 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 74%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 46%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 61%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 15 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 20%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 20%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 50%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 260 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- West Midlands: 8%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 19%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 16%
- Wales: 37%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- No formal qualifications: 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.
Modules
- Analysing Archaeology
- Discovering Archaeology
- The Archaeology of Britain: Prehistory to Present
- The Archaeology of Mediterranean Societies
- Medieval Worlds, AD 500 -1500
- Ancient Objects Then and Now
- The Near East, Greece and Rome, 1000-323 BCE
- Empires East and West, 323 BCE to 680 CE
- Archaeology. It Matters!
- Explanation and Interpretation in Archaeology
- Professional Placement in Archaeology or Heritage
- Archaeology Independent Study
- Archaeological Illustration and Photography
- Everyday Life in Medieval Britain c1200–1600
- An Introduction to Greek Art and Archaeology
- An Introduction to Prehistoric Britain and Europe
- An Introduction to the Archaeology of the Roman World
- Advanced Professional Placement in Archaeology or Heritage
- Roman Britain
- Forensic and Osteoarchaeology
- Museums' Collections Management
- Spatial Technologies and Geographical Information Systems
- Britain in the Early Medieval World
- Archaeology Dissertation
- Prehistoric Britain and Ireland
- The Archaeology of Death and Burial in the Ancient Mediterranean World
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Archaeology at Cardiff University earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £23,500 after 3 years, £29,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £24,000 and £36,000. The £29,500 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for Archaeology.
What do graduates of BA Archaeology at Cardiff University do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Archaeology at Cardiff University?
89% 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 Cardiff University?
The typical offer is BBB at A level. The average entrant had 124 UCAS points.
Is BA Archaeology at Cardiff 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.
How many students continue on BA Archaeology at Cardiff University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.