BA Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations
About this course
BA (Hons) Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations is an archaeology degree concentrating on the ancient civilisations of Europe, the Near East and Asia. Core topics include Research Methods and Fieldwork. Students can follow a route accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), and may take optional modules from other departments such as Classics and Ancient History. The first year covers the foundations through Archaeology Practicals, Cities in Antiquity, Introduction to Archaeological Methods and Ancient Civilisations of the East, ranging from hands-on recording techniques to the formation of Mediterranean cities and early state formation. In Year 2, Professional Training introduces fieldwork placement alongside Developing Archaeological Research, which works on research at different scales, visual presentation and research planning, while Ancient Mediterranean Civilisations: East and West examines monumentality, urbanism and land use across the region. The final year centres on the compulsory Archaeology Dissertation, an independent research project. Optional modules allow further specialisation, including Becoming Roman: from Iron Age to Empire in Italy and the West, Prehistoric Europe: From Foragers to State Formation and Scientific Methods in Archaeology 2 in Year 2, and Advanced Professional Training, Interpreting Heritage, Museum Representation and Archaeology and Global Sustainable Development in Year 3.
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: AAB IB: 35 with 665 in higher level subjects.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 100%: 100 offers from 100 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 6 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 80%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 45%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 30%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 20%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 85 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 17%
- North West: 11%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 33%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
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, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Archaeology Practicals
- Cities in Antiquity
- Introduction to Archaeological Methods
- Ancient Civilisations of the East
- Example optional modules
- Professional Training
- Developing Archaeological Research
- Ancient Mediterranean Civilisations: East and West
- Example optional modules
- Archaeology Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £39,000. The £29,000 median after five years is £3,500 more than the UK median for Archaeology.
What do graduates of BA Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations at Durham 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 and Ancient Civilisations at Durham University?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 154 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations at Durham University?
100% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 100 offers from 100 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is BA Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations at Durham 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 BA Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations at Durham University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.