BA Archaeology and Anthropology
About this course
BA in Archaeology and Anthropology, an anthropology and archaeology degree centred on the study of human societies, material culture and historical development. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork. Students complete practical work through excavation, fieldwork or heritage placements lasting at least four weeks in the UK or abroad. The first year establishes foundational knowledge through compulsory modules such as Introduction to Social Anthropology, Archaeological Fieldschool, Investigating Archaeology, Imagining Social Worlds, Medieval Society to Globalisation, and Evolution to Empire, alongside optional choices like Introduction to Islamic Archaeology, Archaeological and Forensic Science Practicals, Forensic Archaeology, Artefacts and Materials, and Archaeology and Heritage: Past and Futures. The second year continues with compulsory modules including Current Debates in Anthropology, Archaeological Fieldwork Project, and Archaeological Fieldschool, alongside an extensive range of optional modules covering topics such as migration, material culture, molecular science, bioarchaeology, and specialized regional studies.
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: ABB-BBB. IB: 32/655-30/555.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 66%: 27 offers from 41 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 28 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 87%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 25%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 23%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 6%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 35 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 15%
- South East: 20%
- South West: 30%
- Wales: 10%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Social Anthropology
- Archaeological Fieldschool
- Investigating Archaeology
- Imagining Social Worlds
- Medieval Society to Globalisation
- Evolution to Empire
- Introduction to Islamic Archaeology
- Archaeological and Forensic Science Practicals
- Forensic Archaeology
- Artefacts and Materials
- Archaeology and Heritage: Past and Futures
- Current Debates in Anthropology
- Archaeological Fieldwork Project
- Archaeological Fieldschool
- Living Cities: Migration, Place and the Politics of Identities
- Anthropology of the State
- Anthropology of Islam
- Gardening, Wellbeing and Community
- Anthropology of Forced Migration
- The Anthropology of Prisons
- Animals and Society
- Dogs and Cats: Anthropological Subjects
- Aging, Health and Society
- Science, Technology and Society
- Politics of Food and Farming
- Bodies and Society
- BioSocieties
- Environments and Societies
- Monumental Changes: Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Britain and Ireland
- Archaeology of the Americas
- The Archaeology and Ethnography of Hunter-Gatherers
- Analysing Artefacts and Materials
- Lords to Lepers: Medieval Social Worlds
- Things and Us: Ancient and Contemporary Material Culture
- Brooches, Beads, Swords and Shields: Early Medieval Material Culture
- Sustainability and Collapse in Past Societies
- Giving and Taking: Anthropology and Archaeology of Circulation and Exchange
- Discovering the Past with Molecular Science
- Palaeolithic Archaeology of Homo Sapiens 100,000-12,000 BP
- Trading Places, Towns, Royal Palaces and Fortifications: Early Medieval Centres in Europe
- Understanding the Landscape of Roman Britain
- Understanding the Landscape of Medieval Britain
- Medieval Castles in Context
- Romanisation: Interaction, Conquest and Change in Late Iron Age and Roman Dacia
- Zooarchaeology
- Palaeobotany
- Aerial Survey
- Forensic Anthropology
- Human Origins and Evolution: the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic
- Research in Archaeology
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Archaeology and Anthropology at University of Exeter earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £22,500 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £36,000. The £26,500 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Anthropology.
What do graduates of BA Archaeology and Anthropology at University of Exeter do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Archaeology and Anthropology at University of Exeter?
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 Anthropology at University of Exeter?
The typical offer is BBB at A level. The average entrant had 143 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Archaeology and Anthropology at University of Exeter?
66% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 27 offers from 41 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Archaeology and Anthropology at University of Exeter 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 Anthropology at University of Exeter?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.