BA Archaeology
About this course
BA in Archaeology, a forensic science and archaeology degree focused on past human societies and material culture. Core topics include Communication & Writing. Fieldwork forms a major component of the three-year course, providing practical experience in excavation, research, and museum projects. The first year introduces foundational subjects through World Archaeology: The Deep History of Human Societies, Sites and Artefacts, and People and Environments. The second year advances methodologies via Public Archaeology, Current Issues in Archaeological Theory, and Interpreting Archaeological Evidence. The final year involves independent research and advanced practice through Field Archaeology and A Detailed Study of a Selected Topic. Optional modules across the degree allow students to explore diverse periods and regions such as Roman Britain: History and Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, and Geophysics for Archaeology.
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: 34 points (A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.)
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What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 83%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 77%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 69%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 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 125 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 12%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 2%
Most common jobs
- Information Technology Professionals: 20%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 78%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 67%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 335 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 60%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- World Archaeology: The Deep History of Human Societies
- Introduction to Social Anthropology
- Sites and Artefacts
- People and Environments
- Introduction to Archaeology
- Introduction to Roman Archaeology
- Introduction to Greek Archaeology
- Introduction to Middle Eastern Archaeology
- Introduction to European Prehistory
- Texts in Archaeology
- Public Archaeology
- Current Issues in Archaeological Theory
- Interpreting Archaeological Evidence
- Research and Presentation Skills
- Roman Coinage
- Roman Britain: History and Archaeology
- Greek Art and Architecture
- Roman Art and Architecture
- Plants and Archaeology
- Zooarchaeology
- Applied Geoarchaeology
- Early Medieval Archaeology of Britain A
- Archaeological Surveying
- The Prehistoric Mediterranean
- Field Archaeology
- Archaeology in the World
- A Detailed Study of a Selected Topic
- Archaeology of North America
- Museum Archaeology
- Geophysics for Archaeology
- Archaeological Surveying
- Indigenous Archaeology
- Livestock in Archaeology
- Roman Coinage
- Archaeology of Mesoamerica
- Archaeology and Art of Historic South Asia
- Archaeological Ceramics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Archaeology at University College London earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £28,500 after 3 years, £39,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,500 and £53,500. The £39,000 median after five years is £12,000 more than the UK median for Forensic and archaeological sciences.
What do graduates of BA Archaeology at University College London do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Archaeology at University College London?
83% 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 University College London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 126 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Archaeology at University College London?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.