BSc Archaeology
About this course
BSc (Hons) Archaeology is an undergraduate degree within the forensic science domain focused on scientific methods in archaeological study. Core topics include Research Methods. The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. The first year covers foundational subjects through Prehistory to the Present, Artefacts and Materials, Archaeological Theory, and Introduction to Archaeological Science. The second year introduces analytical and practical subjects such as Post-Excavation, Interpreting Prehistory, Archaeobotany, and Computational Archaeology, alongside optional modules including Issues in Archaeology and Heritage. The final year concludes with a dissertation, supported by compulsory studies in Ancient DNA, Human Evolution, and Archaeology of Disease and Health.
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 15 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 84%
- Learning opportunities: 67%
- Assessment and feedback: 68%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 58%
- Learning resources: 95%
- Student voice: 54%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 25%
- Further study: 5%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 30%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 20%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 335 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 11%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 30%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 14%
- London: 12%
- South East: 12%
- South West: 6%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other qualifications: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 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): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Prehistory to the Present
- Artefacts and Materials
- Archaeological Theory
- Introduction to Archaeological Science
- Discovering Archaeology
- Exploring Archaeology
- Post-Excavation
- 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
- Late Prehistory of Egypt and the Fertile Crescent
- Settlements and Society
- dissertation
- 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 BSc Archaeology at University of York earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £36,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £46,500. The £36,000 median after five years is £9,000 more than the UK median for Forensic and archaeological sciences.
What do graduates of BSc 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 BSc Archaeology at University of York?
84% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Archaeology at University of York?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 145 UCAS points.
Is BSc 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 BSc 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 BSc Archaeology at University of York?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.