Archaeology

Our BA Archaeology equips you with understanding of the diversity of the human past through studying the material culture, architecture and landscapes of past people. Covering a time span from the earliest humans to the contemporary world, you will gain hands-on experience with collections, a critical encounter with heritage on field trips, and archaeological practice in the field.

Why choose this course?

• This course is ideal if you have a keen interest in understanding the past through people’s relationships with things and places.

• Practical experience is a key element of this degree. You will complete our London-centred archaeological field school alongside professionals from Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) on the module Thames Through Time.

• You will benefit from our close links with the heritage sector, including various London museums.

• You can choose option modules which offer you the opportunity to work directly on collections of artefacts and records of archaeological excavations with the experts who excavated those sites.

What you will learn

You will learn about the practice of archaeology as well as archaeology’s own past.

You will learn the wide range of methods and sources used by archaeologists, including objects, buildings and landscapes, and how these are put into practice. You will also gain experience of working with artefacts, images and maps, including utilising digital sources for the study of the human past. You will learn to understand, but also question, accepted narratives about the human past, and how to engage with those narratives by analysing archaeological data sets.

How you will learn

This course is available to study full- or part-time, with lectures, seminars and classes taking place in the evening.

You will also work with a dedicated supervisor to design your own dissertation project putting the skills developed during your degree into practice.

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Highlights

• You will gain valuable experience of working with professionals from Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) on the Thames Through Time field school module, an intensive, week-long fieldwork experience.

• We are an international centre of excellence. Since 2001 we have consistently been in the top ten departments evaluated by the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

• Situated in historic Bloomsbury, we are at the heart of academic London with access to unparalleled research resources at the Institute of Historical Research and the Institute of Classical Studies; the British Museum; and the British Library.

• The School of Historical Studies at Birkbeck is home to thriving student societies and a number of affiliated research centres that actively run seminars, conferences and other events where some of the world's best scholars present their latest research.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this BA Archaeology, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

• a sophisticated use of written and spoken English

• an ability to evaluate and analyse visual and material evidence

• an advanced critical ability in understanding and applying complex theories

• facility and precision in the use of analytical tools

• strong skills and initiative in collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented reports or fluent critical arguments

• an ability to study independently and through teamwork.

Studying this course will prepare you for a career path in:

• the heritage sector, including museums

• archaeological practice

• academia

• research.

Course modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.