Newcastle University

Heritage, History and Archaeology BA Honours
UCAS Code: 1T59 (3 Years)

• Course Overview
• Modules
• Entry Requirements
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Join the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of heritage, history and archaeology.

This degree combines academic study of heritage, history and archaeology with practical skills development that aims to prepare you for employment in the heritage sector and beyond.

There is a core of heritage-based modules throughout the degree. Initially, you divide your studies equally between heritage, history and archaeology. In later stages you have the option of choosing which history and archaeology modules you take from a very broad range of topics. There are also opportunities to focus on different areas of the world.

Teaching and assessment

Heritage at Newcastle has an international reputation for its research which feeds directly into your teaching. This allows us to offer you a very broad study programme.

Teaching is a balance of lectures and seminars. Study visits also play an important role in many heritage based modules. Visits to heritage sites, museums and galleries will help reinforce what has been learnt in lectures and seminars and will give you the opportunity to meet practitioners with up-to-date and practical skills in the sector.

Assessment of heritage modules involves a range of forms of coursework. As strong emphasis is placed on you acquiring the practical skills and knowledge required by employers in the heritage, museum and gallery sectors.

Much of your assessed work is based around practical tasks that you might be expected to undertake should you find employment in the sector. These include creative projects, critical writing exercises, presentations and professional skill assessments as well as essays.

Assessment of history modules includes documentary commentaries, group presentations, literature reviews, essays and written examinations whilst assessment of archaeology modules is based around essays, projects, reports and written examinations.

Teaching and assessment methods may vary from module to module; more information can be found in our individual module listings.

Visit our Teaching and Learning pages to read about the outstanding learning experience available to you at Newcastle University.

Collections on campus

Immerse yourself in the world of antiquity and art in the University’s own museum and art gallery. The award winning Great North Museum comprises extensive archaeological, natural history and ethnography collections, while the Hatton Gallery houses a large art collection. These resources are used for teaching and practical exercises throughout the course of your degree.

Make the region your classroom

Study visits will play an important role in many heritage based modules. Visits to heritage sites, museums and galleries will help reinforce what has been learnt in lectures and seminars and will give you the opportunity to meet practitioners with up-to-date and practical skills in the sector.

Benefit from the region’s high concentration of heritage sites, museums and galleries right on your doorstep, many of which you will visit during the course of your degree, providing a spectacular backdrop to your studies. These include the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hadrian’s Wall and Durham.

Employer connections 

We have close links with heritage, museum and gallery practitioners across the region, and you will have many opportunities to learn from them, both in the classroom and on-site. These links also help us ensure our curriculum is designed and developed to meet the needs of the sector, ensuring that our graduates develop the skills and knowledge needed to find rewarding work in the heritage, museum and gallery sectors.

About the Schools

You will benefit from expertise in the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies, plus the School of History, Classics and Archaeology.

The International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies (ICCHS) is a leading academic centre for research and teaching in museum, gallery, and heritage studies.

Our programmes benefit from our experience in and engagement with the museum, gallery and heritage sector: we work closely with sector professionals both in the delivery of teaching and on research initiatives and on providing advice and consultancy for the sector.

The School of History, Classics and Archaeology is based in the Armstrong Building.

We have a thriving student-run History Society, and our staff go above and beyond to ensure that you feel welcomed both academically and socially.