Archaeology/Politics

Archaeology is the study of how people in the past interacted with their world, through a detailed study of their objects, sites, monuments and landscapes. Politics is the study of the way power and influence are distributed within society and how this affects decision making within and among countries and states.

Why study this course at the University of Glasgow?

You will have the opportunity to gain practical fieldwork skills in the UK and abroad. Recent students have worked on excavation projects across Europe and the Near East, including the Baltic states, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, and on high-profile projects within Scotland. Throughout the programme we emphasise that you should gain practical heritage work experience including archaeological fieldwork techniques and developing the social benefits of archaeology. We provide day and residential fieldtrips for our students to archaeological sites, landscapes, museums and other heritage venues. You will also be able to take part in current staff research projects including survey and excavation, as well as working in archaeological archives and collection-based projects. You can gain work experience in various heritage and museum organisations through our network of placement providers. We can also help students get onto excavation teams across Europe. You will study a wide variety of topics including courses in international relations and political theory, as well as the politics of a range of areas from the Middle East to Latin America to Europe. You will have the opportunity to take part in our growing study abroad programme.

Career Prospects?

Employers, from banking and law to business and tourism, value the transferable skills that an archaeology degree offers such as teamworking, practical problem-solving, working with the public and critical analysis.

Many graduates are employed in vocational archaeological and heritage roles working for government agencies, the charitable sector and other heritage organisations in Scotland and beyond. These include the National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Archaeology Scotland, the British Museum, National Museums of Scotland and Glasgow Life, as well as various companies offering commercial archaeological services in the UK and abroad. Studying Politics will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. You will develop your research and analytical skills, writing abilities, and capacity to communicate effectively. You will be able to attend employability workshops and training days, which will provide you with skills and knowledge, essential for success in the job market. You will also be able to attend alumni careers talks. As a Social Sciences student, you may have the chance to take part in one of our many internship placements.

Popular career destinations for our graduates include the civil and foreign service, local government, the charity sector, international organisations, teaching, business, media and journalism.