Archaeology BSc Honours

Course overview

Our Archaeology BSc Honours degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeology (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK (UAUK).

This course emphasises the use of archaeological sciences in both field and laboratory work. You'll become adept at using scientific techniques and develop a range of skills. You'll be ready for a career in the heritage sector, and beyond.

You'll explore the North East, a region steeped in history. You'll also have opportunities to go abroad on field trips.

You’ll begin your degree with an introduction to the discipline of archaeology. You will explore how archaeology has changed our understanding of the past, before learning more specialist analytical techniques and focusing on specific cultures or global regions.

As you progress through your degree, you’ll choose from a diverse range of modules and tailor your options to fit your interests.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

We will introduce you to many archaeological techniques and approaches to understanding the past, from prehistory to the 21st century. This includes the module Introduction to Archaeological Science, which teaches you the basics of radiocarbon dating, osteology, and ancient DNA analyses among other techniques.

In the summer following your first year, you'll join our field school at Birdoswald Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall. This is a two-week funded excavation experience.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Introduction to Archaeological Science	20
Introduction to Archaeology	20
Prehistoric Britain	20
The Archaeology of Britain from the Romans to the 20th Century	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Genetics and Evolution	20
Diversity of Life: Form and Function	20
Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology	20
Earth System Science	10
The Geosphere	20
Surveying	20
Principles of Remote Sensing	10
Fundamentals of Surveying I	10
Slavery	20
Big History: From the Big Bang to Climate change	20
Global Middle Ages	20
Stuff: living in a material world	20
Global Ancient Histories	20

You will expand the geographical range of your studies to Europe and beyond and learn specialist analytical skills in modules like Environmental Archaeology.

You'll complete a further two weeks of funded fieldwork choosing from one of our many projects in the UK or abroad.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Advanced Fieldwork Training	0
Archaeological Theory and Interpretation	20
Animals, Plants and People: an Introduction to Environmental Archaeology	20
Fieldwork and Archaeological Practice	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Prehistoric Europe	20
Aegean Prehistory	20
Archaeologies of the Roman Empire: The Roman World from Augustus to Justinian	20
The Medieval World: AD 400-1500	20
Historical Archaeology of the Modern World (post 1492)	20
Hellenistic Empires from Alexander to Cleopatra	20
The Roman World from Hadrian to Heraclius	20
Greek and Roman Religions	20
Slavery in Greco-Roman antiquity	20
Africa: History of a Continent	20
Oral History and Memory	20
Greece from ancient times to the 21st century: Interdisciplinary approaches to the study of the past	20
Global Environmental History: From the Little Ice Age to Greta Thunberg	20
Diversities of Sexuality and Gender in History	20
Career Development for second year students	20

You will select modules that interest you the most from a greater range of options on topics like the archaeology of animal bones, geoarchaeology and ancient technologies.

You will complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice while receiving guided supervision by an expert member of staff, recent dissertation topics have included: human environmental impacts and the experimental reproduction of ancient tools.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Dissertation in Archaeological Science	40

Optional Modules	Credits
Early Medieval Britain	20
The Archaeology of Byzantium and its Neighbours	20
Historical Archaeology of Britain 1500-Present	20
Archaeologies of the Middle Sea: An Armchair Voyage Across the Prehistoric Mediterranean	20
Regionality and the Fall of Rome	20
The Archaeology of Animal Bones	20
Early Prehistoric Europe: Origins and transformations	20
Sex, bodies and identities in Classical Greece	20
Career Development for final year students	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You will learn from a dynamic range of methods and activities, including:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• workshops
• practical activities
• site visits
• fieldwork training
• independent study

These activities take place in the classroom, the library, the field, the museum and the laboratory.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reports

Skills and experience

Practical skills

Throughout your studies you’ll have opportunities to undertake hands-on archaeological work and object-handling sessions putting the knowledge you learn in the classroom into practice.

Each summer you’ll complete a minimum of two weeks of funded fieldwork. After year one you'll undertake this at Hadrian's Wall, and at the end of year two you’ll choose from projects in the UK and abroad. These opportunities enable you to hone your practical skills while also making connections with associated heritage organisations.

Research skills

You’ll have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to spend the summer following your second year working alongside academic staff on your own research project.

In your final year, using the skills developed during your degree, you’ll write a dissertation on a topic of your own choosing. During this, you’ll hone your investigative skills as you undertake independent research with access to extensive print and electronic resources, as well as archives and special collections.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You have the opportunity to study abroad in either Stage 2 or 3. You can study in an EU country as part of a study abroad exchange or further afield.

Find out more about study abroad.

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Facilities and environment

Facilities

Our archaeology degree courses are taught in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at our city-centre campus. 

Facilities include a dedicated archaeology laboratory with petrology microscopes and stereo-microscopes for artefact analysis, and permanent collections including human remains, animal bones, Roman pottery and our Victorian household collection.

There's also the Cluster for Interdisciplinary Artefact Studies, delivering professional training in handling artefacts and extensive collections in the University-led Great North Museum adjacent to campus.

Support

You'll have the support of a lecturer as a personal tutor throughout your degree, and a student mentor will help you settle in.

Archaeology is a new subject for everyone: we teach you all you need to know, and support your progress through to the end of the degree.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

Some of our graduates opt for careers in the heritage sector working for government, museums and private consultancies, such as:

• English Heritage
• National Trust
• British Museum
• National Parks
• Headland Archaeology
• Wardell Armstrong Archaeology Services
• MOLA Headland Infrastructure
• Northern Archaeological Associates
• Pre-Construct Archaeology Limited

As an archaeology student at Newcastle University, you'll develop a wide range of transferable skills, due to the interdisciplinary and investigative nature of the subject, which are highly sought by employers.

Some students begin careers as professional archaeologists, while others enter the heritage sector. There are lots of opportunities to engage with employers prior to graduation.

Other archaeology graduates use their team-working, project management and analytical skills to work in other fields, for example as company archivists, information technologists, specialist librarians and researchers. These skills are especially valued in industries such as publishing, broadcasting and public relations. Some students become teachers, lawyers, or start their own businesses.

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 9250
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 22200

Home Fee Students

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages