BA Historical Archaeology
About this course
BA (Hons) Historical Archaeology, an archaeology degree examining the emergence of the modern world from the end of the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century. Core topics include Research Methods. The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, enabling graduates to join the professional body for career development. The first year covers foundational subjects through Prehistory to the Present, Artefacts and Materials, and Archaeological Theory. The second year introduces specialized topics such as Interpreting Historical Archaeology, Archaeobotany, and Field Archaeology Survey Skills. Optional modules in the second year cover subjects like Post-Excavation and Settlements and Society. The final year involves an independent dissertation alongside advanced studies in modules such as Ancient DNA and Viking-Age Scandinavia.
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 BTEC: DDM We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus B at A Level Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate plus AB at A level Distinction, Distinction in 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates plus B at A level
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What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 77%
- Assessment and feedback: 88%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 77%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 87%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 45%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 40%
- Natural and social science professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 15%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 25%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 12%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 35%
- East Midlands: 9%
- West Midlands: 8%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 9%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 6%
- Scotland: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other qualifications: 15%
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): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Prehistory to the Present
- Artefacts and Materials
- Archaeological Theory
- Introduction to Archaeological Science
- Exploring Archaeology
- Discovering Archaeology
- Heritage Practices
- Interpreting Prehistory
- Interpreting Historical Archaeology
- Archaeobotany
- Archaeogaming
- Artefact Analysis
- Biomolecular Archaeology
- Buildings History
- Computational Archaeology
- Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture
- Field Archaeology Survey Skills
- Human and Animal Bones
- Illustration
- Object Conservation
- Issues in Archaeology and Heritage
- Post-Excavation
- Late Prehistory of Egypt and the Fertile Crescent
- Settlements and Society
- dissertation
- After Modernity: Archaeologies of the Contemporary World
- Ancient DNA
- Archaeology and Mythology of the Greek and Roman Mediterranean
- Archaeology of Disease and Health
- Death and Burial in Later Prehistory
- Historic Houses
- Human Evolution
- Hunter Gatherer Materials Worlds
- Plants and People
- Public Participation in Museums and Archaeology
- Rock Art Heritage
- Societal Collapse… and how to avoid it.
- The Archaeology of British Christianity
- The Neolithic of Britain and Ireland
- Viking-Age Scandinavia
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Historical Archaeology at University of York earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £24,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,000 and £28,500. The £24,500 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Archaeology.
What do graduates of BA Historical Archaeology at University of York do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Historical Archaeology at University of York?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Historical Archaeology at University of York?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 143 UCAS points.
Is BA Historical Archaeology at University of York 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 Historical Archaeology at University of York 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 Historical Archaeology at University of York?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.