Where to study Archaeology
Archaeology is offered in the United Kingdom on three official levels for study. It can also be studied as an extra-mural option at many universities and colleges.
The 3 levels offered are:
GCSE
A level
Degree (Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate.)
GCSE level
The official GCSE syllabus is offered by AQA in Manchester, who can be reached via email at:
archaeology@aqa.org.uk or via telephone on 0161 958 3864/5.
In the academic year of 2002/2003, 350 candidates sat the AQA exam, with 42% gaining a grade in the A-C range. An official report on the exam statistics and the syllabus can be obtained here>>
The official syllabi can be downloaded here:
2003 exam specification
2004 exam specification
2005 exam specification
Please note that these are external links, and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (available free at Adobe's site.)
GCE AS & A level
The AS & A level syllabi are provided by AQA (details above). At this level, Archaeogical material and theory are also incorporated into examinations for Classics, Classical Civilisation and Ancient History (offered by OCR.) In the 2003 examination period, 1275 pupils read for the AS level (provisional score of 52.7% grade A-C), with 545 pupils reading for the full A level (provisional score of 60% grade A-C. ) The official report for this exam period can be obtained here>>
The AS level and A level differ in composition. AS level comprises 3 modules, whilst the A level qualification comprises 6 modules. The 3 AS modules are all assessed by examination in January or June each year and the A2 is made up of 2 examination modules and a personal study.
These are laid out in the table below:
AS Level
| Unit details | Content etc |
| Unit 1 | Finding and excavating archaeological sites |
| Unit 2 | Analysis, dating and interpretation of archaeological remains |
| Unit 3 | Religion and ritual: The Maya, Ancient Egypt, Rome, Later British Prehistory. |
| A2 (2nd half of A Level) | |
| Unit details | Content etc |
| Unit 4 | Material culture and economics |
| Unit 5 | Settlement and social archaeology |
| Unit 6 | Personal study |
The AS/ A level qualification is a very sound basis for the first year of an Under Graduate degree programme. There is an overlap with many of the foundation modules that universities teach.
This qualification can be obtained as part of a distance learning scheme.
The official syllabi provided by AQA can be obtained from below:
2004 Exam Specification
2005 Exam Specification
Again, the same caveat as above applies regarding external links.
Degree level
Archaeology is offered by 33 universities. It has been inspected by the government for quality of teaching and research. The official benchmark document under which these institutions were assessed can be obtained here>>
The entry requirements for each university are generally reflected in the quality of the institutions official grade. For example, the table reproduced below, outlines the Guardian's rankings for the year 2002 for the UK's top 10 Archaeology Departments. For the full review, please click here>>
| Rank | Institution | Guardian teaching score/100 | Teaching inspection score/24 |
Spend score/10 | Student:staff ratio score/6 | Job prospects score/6 | Value added score/10 | Reputation score/6 | |
| 1. | Cambridge |
90.45 | 23 |
10 |
6 |
6 |
2.50 |
6 |
|
| 2. | KCL |
90.22 | 24 |
9 |
6 |
5 |
2.25 |
5 |
|
| 3. | UCL |
89.77 | 23 |
10 |
6 |
5 |
3.75 |
5 |
|
| 4. | SOAS |
88.86 | 24 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
3.75 |
5 |
|
| 5. | Reading |
88.63 | 23 |
9 |
6 |
6 |
3.50 |
4 |
|
| 6. | Leicester |
88.40 | 24 |
8 |
5 |
5 |
3.25 |
4 |
|
| 7. | Southampton |
87.72 | 24 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
3.50 |
5 |
|
| 8. | Queen's Belfast |
86.36 | 23 |
10 |
5 |
5 |
2.00 |
4 |
|
| 9. | Bradford |
85.22 | 22 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
3.75 |
4 |
|
| 10. | Durham |
84.54 | 23 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
3.00 |
5 |
|
For the official UCAS list of all universities offering degrees in Archaeology and subsidiary subjects, please click here>> At the time of writing this page, 557 courses are available in Archaeology around the country.
University degrees are usually based around coursework, assessed fieldwork, examinations and a final year dissertation project of original research.
Once this degree has been completed, the study can be taken further to Higher Degree level status.
Continuing Education
Archaeology is increasingly being studied as an extra-mural option. It can be studied either as a general interest subject or as a more in depth subject with examination for degree level.
Many universities offer evening courses and part - time degree options; for example Birkbeck College London offers a huge variety of courses.
Often these courses are taught by archaeologists attached to the university, sometimes even having eminent guest lectures for some modules.
The aim of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, is to continue educating people on artefact knowledge at all educational levels, primary school to later life. If you want to know more, please contact us!
