Archaeology and Anthropology

An ability to understand the diversity of human culture, behaviour and experience across space and time is critical to tackling the key challenges of our contemporary world.

Our BA Archaeology and Anthropology course offers an exciting, interdisciplinary perspective on what it means to be human, employing archaeology and social, biological, and linguistic anthropology. In this degree, we address issues of migration, sustainable development, and heritage, cultural and technological change.

Our course will provide you with practical and professional skills designed to enhance your employability through activities such as the analysis of big data on contemporary population health, the investigation of archaeological material, and the presentation of cultural heritage to the public.

Your first year introduces you to the fundamental theories of archaeology and anthropology. You will take units that introduce you to the disciplines of archaeology and material culture studies as well as social, linguistic and biological anthropology. You will take part in our own departmental training excavation, developing a wide range of practical skills, from excavation to community engagement.

Your second and third years allow greater specialisation in skills, regional foci and current debates, alongside further fieldwork. You will become familiar with the range of research methods and theoretical frameworks and the sorts of questions archaeologists and anthropologists ask.

A wide variety of optional units exploring different themes, periods and approaches are available in your second and third years.

The third year provides an opportunity to pursue a specialist area of interest working closely with a member of staff to write a dissertation on an original topic of your choice. There is an option to complete a work placement with an external partner such as a museum, commercial archaeological unit or national heritage organisation.