About this course

From the Aztecs and Maya to Ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire and the medieval world, you'll study the story of human activity and the origins of civilisation on BA Archaeology with Year Abroad. Through the latest techniques and technologies, you'll investigate how our ancestors lived, from the earliest human origins, to Neolithic Britain, Ancient Egypt and the Medieval Middle East.

Archaeology is the study of the human past through its material remains, such as its:

buildings
monuments
artefacts
biological remains
written sources
landscape

Whether in the laboratory on a dig, you'll develop transferable skills through exploring questions about people in the past and in the present. This archaeology bachelor degree with year abroad explores world archaeology, on topics such as:

excavation and field survey techniques
underwater archaeology
artefacts analysis
museums, heritage and public archaeology

You'll have the opportunity to experience fieldwork, including at least 3 weeks of fieldwork as part of an active research project.

We have a purpose-built archaeology building, equipped with the latest science-based laboratories. You'll gain hands-on experience with archaeological artefacts and materials, and receive practical training for a career in archaeology.

You'll spend a year abroad at one of our partner institutions such as the University of Malta or the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. This will give you the chance to discover theories and findings in exotic locations and boost your career opportunities.

This degree gives you the opportunity to study a minor subject alongside the main programme.

We’re also offering up to 10 bursaries of £1000 each to incoming students (subject to criteria). These are from the Terry Mason Bursary and the University of Southampton Archaeology Bursary Fund.

Course location

This course is based at Avenue.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2022 to 2023. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

ODT

Download 2022-23 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

A-levels

ABB to BBB

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

More information about A-levels

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBB and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: BBB

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 to 30 points overall with 16 to 15 points at Higher Level

More information about International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an A level Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB to BB in two A levels

RQF BTEC

Additional information

The University aims to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds who we believe have the potential and motivation to succeed on our challenging programmes. We are committed to fair admissions and strive to ensure we give equal consideration to all applicants who possess the necessary knowledge and skills.

More information about BTEC

QCF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in an A level or Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB to BB in two A levels

Other requirements

UK students

International students

Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

You'll have the freedom to shape your degree to suit your interests. You don't need to choose your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to personalise your course.

Our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers you the chance to take optional modules outside of your chosen subject area. This allows you to personalise your education, and develop new skills and knowledge for your future. Topics range from how to live and work on the web to developing business skills to improve your chances of getting employment. You can also take a language module, which may count towards your degree. These modules cover 10 languages and range from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level.

Year 1 overview

Compulsory modules will give you a grounding in archaeology, fieldwork and analysis. These cover the development of archaeological and anthropological thought, and the archaeological methods needed for fieldwork and analysis.

You'll also be able to choose optional modules. These modules could be practical, based on a period in time like human origins, or based on a theme such as:

landscapes and seascapes of Britain's past
the ethnography of food and culture
a study of world history through 40 historical objects

Year 2 overview

You will develop your understanding of how archaeology relates to the modern world. You'll also prepare for fieldwork with at least 3 weeks of practical experience in a field school or research project in the UK or overseas.

You'll also prepare for your year abroad.

In addition to these compulsory modules, you can choose modules from approaches and periods, including:

the Vikings
archaeological dating
scientific diving
archaeological dating

Year 3 overview

You'll study at one of our partner institutions abroad, for example in:

Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
France
Germany
Norway
Poland

Alternatively, you could arrange an approved work placement.

Year 4 overview

In your final year, you'll develop your own specialist interest with a dissertation on a research topic of your choice. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your planning, research, data collation, analysis, and communication skills.

You'll also take a further 6 modules from a wide range of options. You'll be able to specialise in different periods, regions or methods in archaeology. For example, you could study:

Neolithic Britain
Iron Age societies
Ancient Egypt
museums and heritage
Roman urbanism
geographic information systems (GIS)
molecular archaeology

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

Changes due to COVID-19

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Archaeological Methods for Fieldwork and Analysis

How do archaeologists find sites, gather data and proceed to make sense of archaeological traces? This module provides a detailed introduction to fieldwork methods and analysis, covering site prospection techniques (e.g., aerial photography and geophysica...

Emergence of Civilisation: domesticating ourselves and others

Archaeology reveals how during prehistory certain transformations have profoundly altered human societies. These include the adoption of domesticated plants and animals, sedentism, the adoption of new technologies (such as pottery) and the emergence of co...

Human Origins

The investigation of human origins has been described as the intellectual romance of the social sciences. This module examines the changing ideas about our earliest ancestors and the evolution of hominin culture and biology and explores the links between ...

The development of Archaeological and Anthropological Thought

As is well-known, archaeology has very strong connections with other disciplines. This module explores how the study of archaeology has developed over the centuries, both as a discipline in its own right and as a sister discipline within Anthropology. It ...

Wonderful things: World history in 40 objects

As he broke the seal and opened the door to Tutankamun’s tomb, archaeologist Howard Carter declared, breathlessly, that he could see ‘Wonderful things’. Ancient things have this special appeal. They enchant and captivate. They excite curiosity and unleash...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:

Ancient and Medieval Worlds

Classics, Christianity and Islam: these are the three cultural forces which have shaped the modern west. All three impacted on the Mediterranean between between 1000BC and AD1000, and can be traced through the archaeology. In this module, you will have th...

Debates and Issues in Archaeological Science

The application of scientific techniques is increasingly embedded in archaeological studies and is an area where the UK currently leads the world. Techniques such as dating methods, the use of isotopes to reconstruct past diet or human migrations and the ...

Exploring Other Cultures

We understand that few students have had the previous opportunity to study social and cultural anthropology. In this introductory module you will consider questions like: What is anthropology? What do anthropologists study? What is it like to do anthropol...

Introduction to Ethnography: Food and Culture

Biological science tells us what items in our world are potentially edible, but culture decides what constitutes food. Culture informs us as to whether a specific item is appropriate, appetising, valued, desirable, prohibited, restricted, staple or medici...

Landscapes and Seascapes of Britain’s Past

The landscapes and seascapes of Britain play host to one of the world’s most varied and intriguing archaeological records. With an occupational history spanning one million years, it tells a complex inter-twined story of social, physical and environmenta...

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Contemporary Issues and Debates in Archaeology

Contemporary archaeology operates within a broad remit: its traditional focus on understanding a deep past is now supplemented by studies of more recent material cultures, and issues of heritage, representation and the politics of the past. All of these d...

Professional and Academic Practice in Archaeology

Fieldwork is an integral part of the archaeological process and we want all our students to experience directly the generation of primary data by means of field and related practical activities. At the core of this module, therefore, is participation in a...

Study Abroad Preparation Module

This module will prepare you for study abroad. You are required to take out appropriate insurance policies and engage in on-going monitoring of risk and this module will provide professional input in both areas as well as rigorous assessment of the docume...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:

Bones, bodies and burials: osteology and comparative anatomy

This module examines the variation within the mammalian skeleton from an evolutionary and functional perspective. Additionally, it gives an overview of the main methodological and theoretical issues in the retrieval, treatment and interpretation of bone f...

Cosmology, Ritual and Belief

This module is concerned with how people in different cultures make sense of their world. The spiritual beliefs and ritual practices of a range of different cultures across the world are considered together with some of the ways in which anthropologists ...

Digging Data: quantitative data analysis in Archaeology

Archaeology is an immensely data-rich activity that records the characteristics of sites, landscapes and artefacts, sometimes in great detail. Making sense of that data often relies on quantitative or statistical methods to identify patterns, associations...

Human Dispersal and Evolution

This module explores human evolution in the context of expanding and contracting populations. We shall review the evolutionary landscape and the big questions that face archaeologists. We shall cover the hominin fossil record, learning about the major spe...

Introduction to European Prehistory

The 10,000 years from the end of the last glacial to the emergence of Roman as a major European power were marked by dramatic changes in subsistence, social organisation, material worlds and cosmology. This module provides an introduction to the major the...

Introduction to Scientific Diving

This fifteen credit module will introduce you to the theoretical, logistic, technical and legislative issues that have to be addressed if the theory and practice of archaeology are to be successfully applied in the investigation of sites underwater - thes...

Maritime Archaeology

This course aims to give students a sound introduction to the way archaeology is carried out underwater.

The Life and Afterlife of the Vikings

Blood, violence, terror, raids, pirates, rape and pillage are just some of the words associated with the Vikings in both the medieval and modern imagination. Their fearsome reputation is underlined by nicknames such as ‘Blood Axe' and ‘Skull-splitter', bu...

You must study the following module in year 4:

Archaeology Dissertation

The dissertation is a key component of your degree, and the culmination of your programme of study. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate the skills of planning, research, data collation, analysis, and communication that you have learned during your p...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 4:

Archaeology of Seafaring

Seafaring lies at the heart of human activity across the world and has taken place from the earliest times to the present day. Reflecting this, in recent years the study of seafaring has become an increasingly important area in our understanding of the hu...

Ecology of human evolution: biological, social and cultural approaches to hominin adaptations.

This module explores human evolution in terms of physiological, social and cultural adaptations. It explores human ecology in the broad sense, combining not just cultural and social variability, but also physiological adaptations in past and present-day h...

GIS for Archaeology

This module aims to acquaint you with Geographic Information Systems including their use for mapping and analysing archaeological sites and landscapes, and to explain the broader context of their application to a range of archaeological research and manag...

Iron Age Societies

Iron Age Europe witnessed the divergence of a ‘classical' Mediterranean world, whose culture included such features as states, towns, coinage and literacy, from a ‘barbarian' world to the north, where these features developed only much later, if at all. T...

Later Anglo-Saxon England

This module examines the major social, economic and cultural developments that took place in England during the period between c. 800 and c. 1100 AD. It makes use of evidence from diverse disciplines, including the study of documentary, archaeological, ar...

Living with the Romans: Urbanism in the Roman Empire

The towns in which the Romans lived are some of the most familiar features of the Roman world. Although they seem to look and feel like modern towns, they actually worked in quite different ways, a reflection of the fact that ancient Roman society was dis...

Molecular Archaeology

The extraction and characterization of ancient molecules and the measurement of stable and radioactive isotopes has revolutionized archaeology over the past two decades and remains at the cutting edge of archaeological science. From the identification of ...

More than Pyramids & Pharaohs? Ancient Egypt in Context

The module provides an introduction to the history and archaeology of ancient Egypt. The module provides a broad sweep of Egyptian history from the Predynastic through to later periods. It introduces aspects of death, burial and commemoration, compares an...

Presenting the past: Museums and Heritage

In this module we will examine how knowledge about the past is presented in museum exhibition and display. We will look at current practices in exhibition design and discuss the contemporary literature on communicating heritage to a range of audiences. Yo...

Seeing beneath the soil: geophysical survey for archaeology

The development of geophysical survey methods has provided archaeologists with a wholly new approach to buried archaeological remains allowing - in some circumstances - plans of entire archaeological sites to be obtained prior to any excavation. The use o...

Specialist Research Topic in Archaeology

Stonehenge to Skara Brae: the Neolithic of Britain

The Neolithic period heralds some of the most momentous changes in human history; it is the period when prehistoric people began to live in permanent settlements and adopted agriculture. In Britain, this period is dominated by rich evidence for large monu...

The Archaeology and Anthropology of Adornment

The impulse to adorn the body is as old as human history. This module explores the extraordinary variety of ways in which people have adorned their bodies in a range of archaeological and anthropological contexts, from body painting and tattooing, to the ...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

22%

Scheduled learning & teaching

78%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

coursework, laboratory reports and essays
dissertations
essays
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

13%

Written exam

76%

Coursework

11%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Simon Davies is the course leader.

Careers

An Southampton BA Archaeology year abroad degree is excellent preparation for future employment. This course offers a balance of sciences and arts, and provides a range of practical and theory-based components.

You'll gain practical work experience as a archaeologist during your studies and some specific careers to this course you can explore include, international archaeologist and international conservation officer.

Our archaeology graduates move into industries including:

professional archaeology
museums and the heritage sector
geophysics, cartography and aerial photography
animation and virtual reality graphic design
commerce and marketing
the NHS
financial services
local government

You'll also be welcome in a wide range of other sectors with this highly-respected degree that demonstrates your intellectual and problem-solving abilities, and includes transferable skills in:

teamwork
project management
evidence-based research

This degree is also a great foundation for further study at PhD level.

You'll get support from your personal academic tutor and an employability coordinator, who can advise you on your career path throughout your course.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £20,340.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

Archaeology with Year Abroad (BA)

About this course

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Changes due to COVID-19

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202324

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

European Baccalaureate

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Year 4 overview

Modules

Changes due to COVID-19

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

Year 1 modules

Archaeological Methods for Fieldwork and Analysis

Emergence of Civilisation: domesticating ourselves and others

Human Origins

The development of Archaeological and Anthropological Thought

Wonderful things: World history in 40 objects

Ancient and Medieval Worlds

Debates and Issues in Archaeological Science

Exploring Other Cultures

Introduction to Ethnography: Food and Culture

Landscapes and Seascapes of Britain’s Past

Year 2 modules

Contemporary Issues and Debates in Archaeology

Professional and Academic Practice in Archaeology

Study Abroad Preparation Module

Bones, bodies and burials: osteology and comparative anatomy

Cosmology, Ritual and Belief

Digging Data: quantitative data analysis in Archaeology

Human Dispersal and Evolution

Introduction to European Prehistory

Introduction to Scientific Diving

Maritime Archaeology

The Life and Afterlife of the Vikings

Year 3 modules

Year Abroad Report Module for Humanities Students

Year 4 modules

Archaeology Dissertation

Archaeology of Seafaring

Ecology of human evolution: biological, social and cultural approaches to hominin adaptations.

GIS for Archaeology

Iron Age Societies

Later Anglo-Saxon England

Living with the Romans: Urbanism in the Roman Empire

Molecular Archaeology

More than Pyramids & Pharaohs? Ancient Egypt in Context

Presenting the past: Museums and Heritage

Seeing beneath the soil: geophysical survey for archaeology

Specialist Research Topic in Archaeology