BA Archaeology and Anthropology
About this course
BA in Anthropology and Archaeology. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Ethics & Professional Practice. The degree holds Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) accreditation, with student membership offered during studies. A four-week departmental excavation forms part of the field school, and the programme can be extended to four years with a placement or study abroad.
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 IB: 30 points overall
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What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 96%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 25%
What graduates do next
Based on about 7 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 25%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 275 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 13%
- London: 21%
- South East: 31%
- South West: 14%
- Wales: 4%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 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.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day
- Archaeology Today: Methods and Practice
- Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death
- Contemporary World Cultures: An Introduction to Social Anthropology
- Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt and Rome
- Presenting the Past: An Introduction to Museum Studies
- Landscapes and Natural Resources
- Approaching Human Geography
- Geographical Imaginaries
- Optional Language or University-Wide Module
- Archaeology and Heritage: Past, Present and Future
- Archaeology Field School and Professional Practice
- Methods and Approaches in Ethnographic Practice
- Changing the Face of the Earth: Past, Present and Future Sustainability
- Prehistoric Europe: The First Million Years
- Medieval Europe: Power, Religion and Death
- Entertainment and Leisure in Roman Society
- Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis
- Ancient Objects: Materials and Meanings
- Bioarchaeology
- Summer Placement
- Encountering Political Geographies
- Museum Learning and Engagement
- Curatorship and Collections Management
- Optional Language or University-wide Module
- Dissertation in Archaeology
- The Anthropology of Heritage and Cultural Property
- Objects and Identities in the Roman Empire
- Biological Anthropology
- Emergence of Civilisation in Mesopotamia
- The First Europeans: Archaeology of the Lower Palaeolithic
- The Archaeology and Anthropology of Food
- Living in Medieval Towns
- Cities in the 21st Century
- Reimagining Development in Africa
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Putting Theory into Practice
- Summer Placement
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Archaeology and Anthropology at University of Reading earn?
The median salary is £29,500 after 15 months, £23,000 after 3 years, £27,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,000 and £34,500. The £27,500 median after five years is £3,000 less than the UK median for Anthropology.
What do graduates of BA Archaeology and Anthropology at University of Reading do next?
85% 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 Reading?
96% 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 Reading?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 113 UCAS points.
Is BA Archaeology and Anthropology at University of Reading 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 Anthropology at University of Reading 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 Reading?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.