History, Heritage and Archaeology Foundation Degree

Our programme spans human history, from around 900,000 years ago to modern times. We focus on the ways in which the human past is explored and revealed through the disciplines of history and archaeology and how this heritage is managed in the UK.

Although most modules focus on British subjects, opportunities are provided to study the heritage of other parts of the world. Somerset and the surrounding counties have an abundance of heritage sites (generating a need for heritage professionals), and these sites are explored and used wherever practical and appropriate, both in class, through field trips, and for student research.

Learning is acquired through a range of approaches including:

• research exercises

• the critical analysis of sites, artefacts, documents and structures

• lectures and seminars

• practical exercises in class and in the field (including work-based and work-related learning).

If you are passionate about history, heritage and archaeology, are seeking a degree-level qualification that could lead to employment in the field or would simply like to learn more about the past, then we would love to hear from you (mature applicants are especially welcome)!

You will be taught in small class sizes, allowing plenty of opportunity for question, answer and discussion. You will attend lectures and seminars, carry out fieldwork and practical exercises in class and during self-study time, and have the opportunity to go on trips and visits to appropriate heritage locations. You will also hear from guest speakers with expertise in one or more related fields.

• The Theory and Method of History
• Archaeological Practice
• Archaeology, Ritual and Society
• Introduction to Heritage
• British History
• Professional Practice
• Archaeological Artefacts
• Archaeological Themes and Interpretation
• Historical Interpretations
• Historical Reputations
• Heritage Projects
• Heritage Investigation.

Assessment is primarily through a range of coursework, comprising traditional set essay assignments, small research reports and a single larger piece of independent research, supplemented with presentations on a range of set topics.