BA History and Archaeology
About this course
BA in History and Archaeology, a history and archaeology degree centred on the study of human societies from ancient times to the modern era through material culture and written records. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Historical Research, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course includes practical fieldwork placements and training in archaeological techniques alongside historical analysis. The first year establishes core foundational knowledge through modules such as Medieval Society to Globalisation, Evolution to Empire, Archaeological Fieldschool, and Investigating Archaeology. Students also take historical modules including Becoming a Historian: Core, Understanding Medieval and Early Modern History, and Understanding Modern History, alongside optional choices like Forensic Archaeology or Introduction to Islamic Archaeology. The second year advances practical and investigative skills through compulsory study in Research in Archaeology, Archaeological Fieldwork Project, and Archaeological Fieldschool. Optional modules in later stages allow specialisation in areas such as medieval social worlds, human origins and evolution, environmental arts and humanities, and specific periods of modern or early modern history.
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. IB: 32/655.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 64%: 16 offers from 25 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
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Finance Professionals: 12%
- Elementary occupations: 11%
- Teaching Professionals: 11%
- Administrative occupations: 8%
- 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
- Medieval Society to Globalisation
- Evolution to Empire
- Archaeological Fieldschool
- Investigating Archaeology
- Becoming a Historian: Core
- Understanding Medieval and Early Modern History
- Understanding Modern History
- Introduction to Islamic Archaeology
- Forensic Archaeology
- Artefacts and Materials
- Climate Emergency! An Introduction to Environmental Arts and Humanities
- Sources and Skills: Modern
- Sources and Skills: Early Modern
- Sources and Skills: Medieval
- Research in Archaeology
- Archaeological Fieldwork Project
- Archaeological Fieldschool
- 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
- Adventures in Environmental Arts and Humanities
- Forgetting Fascism, Remembering Communism: Memory in Modern Europe
- Deviants and Dissenters in Early Modern England
- From Gallows to ASBOs: Crime, Punishment, and Society in Britain and Ireland
- Strategy and Success in the Second World War
- Vikings and Other Invaders: Europe under Siege in in the Tenth Century
- Beyond Bridgerton: A Peoples' History of Britain, 1688-1834
- Creating an American Empire: From Westward Expansion to Colonial Empire
- Hunger Games: Poverty, Famine, and Environment
- Russia’s Empires: Societies, Peoples and Cultures
- Beyond the Tudors: Europe’s Worldview Transformed c.1500-1600
- Uses of the Past
- Doing History in the Digital Age
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA History and Archaeology 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 History.
What do graduates of BA History and Archaeology 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 History and Archaeology 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 History and Archaeology at University of Exeter?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 143 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA History and Archaeology at University of Exeter?
64% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 16 offers from 25 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA History and Archaeology 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 History and Archaeology at University of Exeter?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.