Archaeology with Year Abroad

Summary

On this course, you will explore human history from the builders of Stonehenge to Ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire and the medieval world. You will investigate how people lived, why societies changed, and what drives human diversity across time and place.

You will learn from experts across areas including bioarchaeology, maritime archaeology, classical antiquity and human origins. With flexible module choices, you can shape your degree around what interests you most, alongside options for study abroad, work placements and modules in other subjects.

As you develop your skills, you will learn how to uncover, interpret and protect the past. Whether working in heritage, education, media or beyond, you will be part of shaping how human history is understood and shared.

Key features of the course

Gain hands-on experience through three weeks of fieldwork, including excavation, survey or post-excavation as part of active research projects.

Join a department ranked 7th in the UK for Archaeology in the Complete University Guide 2026.

Learn in £3 million purpose-built facilities, including specialist laboratories for osteoarchaeology, isotope sampling, and ceramic and lithic analysis.

Use digital humanities facilities to explore the past through technologies such as virtual reality, 3D scanning and printing.

100% of Archaeology graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation Graduate Outcomes 2022/23, published 2025.

Student support

From day one, you will be part of a friendly and supportive Archaeology community. You will be taught by experienced tutors who are active researchers, with small group teaching designed to give you personalised support.

You will develop teamwork and communication skills alongside your peers, with access to wellbeing services, pastoral care and a wide range of student societies to support you throughout your time at university.

Further information

You will complete three weeks of fieldwork as part of an active research project, with opportunities to take part in excavations in the UK or abroad.

Course Modules

Over the four years of this Archaeology course, you will personalise your education, developing new skills and knowledge for your future.

Year 1: Develop the foundations in archaeology, fieldwork and analysis.
Year 2: Deepen your understanding of archaeology and prepare for fieldwork with at least 3 weeks of practical experience in a field school or research project in the UK or overseas.
Year 3: Year Abroad
Year 4: Develop your interests with a wide range of optional modules, including GIS for Archaeology, Ancient Egypt, Urbanism in the Roman Empire, and Molecular Archaeology - and explore your own specialist interest with a dissertation on a research topic of your choice. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your planning, research, data collation, analysis, and communication skills.

You will also have opportunities to tailor your learning through student-selected units and an elective placement.

For a full list of modules available please visit the course page - https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/archaeology-with-year-abroad-degree-ba#modules.

On this course you will learn through a range of activities that may include lectures, classes and tutorials, coursework, individual and group projects, and independent learning (studying on your own).

You will be able to demonstrate what you have learnt through a variety of assessment methods, such as examinations, essays, extended essays, practical assignments in both the laboratory and the field, presentations, portfolios and the dissertation.

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor who will offer support and advice throughout your studies. You will also receive feedback throughout your course, enabling you to identify areas for improvement before your work is formally assessed.