Archäologie BA, DipHE, CertHE, per Fernstudium

Our distance learning courses allow you to study archaeology no matter where in the world you live. The courses are designed to allow you to either study full-time or to fit your studies in alongside work and family commitments in a way that works for you. With our distance-learning archaeology qualifications, you can learn all about the practice of archaeology and how it can be used to make sense of millions of years of human history.

This course will introduce you to key themes in the study of archaeology and enable you to further your knowledge of the wide chronological and geographical range of the discipline. You will develop your ability to draw upon appropriate archaeological theories, methods, techniques and concepts in order to develop your understanding of the past.

We have been successfully teaching distance learning courses to students around the world since 1996. This course is based on our extensive experience in developing and teaching archaeology and our world-leading research. Our modules are designed to inspire you and enable you to gain a wider knowledge of your chosen topic.

We will provide you with an intellectually challenging and stimulating curriculum that draws on the expertise of staff from the School of Archaeology and Ancient History. We have a proven track record of successfully delivering distance learning courses that will help you gain the transferable skills necessary for successful career development or further academic study. As a result, our courses are highly valued by employers, who recognise the key transferable and subject-specific skills gained.

Throughout your degree, there are several opportunities for you to develop and enhance your practical skills through fieldwork and laboratory work.

What's the difference?

If you know from the outset that you can’t, or don’t want to, commit to a full BA, you can apply for the Certificate or Diploma only. Similarly, if for any reason, after you have applied, you are unable to complete the full BA course, you can opt to leave at the end of Level 1 with a Certificate or at the end of Level 2 with a Diploma.

Why Leicester?

• Students from more than 25 countries have chosen to study archaeology by distance learning with us.
• Our distance learning courses are written and taught by academic staff with specialisms in the subject area. All our teaching is informed by our own original research.
• We are the world leaders in archaeology and ancient history courses by distance learning. This is not just a marketing boast – we have been teaching students by distance learning for nearly 20 years.

Teaching and learning

Each module consists of specially prepared self-study materials, which are made available online through Blackboard, our virtual learning environment, and supplemented by our Library's online materials and book-loans-by-post service.

We recommend that you set aside 12-15 hours of study time per module per week. Each module has a module coordinator who will be in regular contact with you. They will be available via email or online call to provide advice on academic and study matters.

Wherever you are in the world, you will have access to University services, including the University’s David Wilson Library and its extensive range of electronic journals and e-books.

We provide excellent learning support, delivered by the same expert archaeology academics and professionals as our on-campus courses.

Because we understand that many of our students are combining study with demanding careers and family lives, we provide a range of entry and exit points onto our courses, along with the opportunity to move between full-time and part-time study if circumstances change.

We received a maximum of 24 in the most recent QAA teaching assessment, so you can be confident that we can translate our leading research into effective and relevant teaching, allowing you to gain maximum benefit. We have some of the most satisfied students in the country, with consistently high student ratings in the National Student Survey.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a variety of types of coursework. This includes written coursework, usually in the form of essays or reports as well as posters, site studies, and exercises. There are no examinations and no requirements for you to attend the University campus for assessments.

In addition to your modules, you will need to complete fieldwork.

Field School and Research Bootcamp

The compulsory Level 2 Field School module gives you the opportunity to get practical, hands-on experience in a number of aspects of survey and excavation. You can participate in the week-long field school that we organise each year in Leicestershire, or opt to make your own fieldwork arrangements. In addition, you will need to accumulate at least four weeks of further practical experience this could include excavation, museum or archival work (again with our approval).

At level 3 you will take a Research Bootcamp module to prepare you for your dissertation. You can either come to campus for this and have a week-long practical laboratory-based experience at the University of Leicester or you can take this module remotely like your other modules.

How does distance learning work?

Our courses are designed to work for a global audience of students who often lead busy lives. They are delivered by expert academic staff (the same people who teach our campus-based courses!). You work remotely at your own pace. You will be given access to our Virtual Learning Environment where all the materials for whichever module you are currently studying will be accessible as well as a student forum with overarching information about our courses.

Students can start their studies at two different points in the year, either in September or February. They can study part-time taking one module at once, or full time studying two modules at a time. You can pause your studies at the end of a module if you need to.

The teaching semester is divided into two halves of 6 weeks. There will be 6 sections of material to work through, then you will pause to complete your first assessment. This is followed by a further 6 sections of material before you complete your final assessment. There are no set times when you need to attend class or complete your study work except for assessment deadlines. This means you can fit your studies around your work and family life in a way that works for you whether that is studying in the evenings, at the weekend, or during the daytime.

Each module has its own space in the Virtual Learning Environment where our staff have designed content to help you learn. This might include recorded lectures, guided readings, exercises to complete, podcasts, discussion boards and optional live sessions: each module is different! These materials will guide you through the module content. Each module has a module coordinator who is responsible for the delivery of the module. You will hear from them regularly as they guide you through your learning. You will also have access to an e-reading list where all the key sources for the module are linked. In addition, you will also have access to our university library, which has masses of digital resources you can access online - but they’ll also post you physical books too. In addition, they are able to provide lots of help and support, from finding resources to improving your academic skills.

Powered by world-class research, the University of Leicester delivers research-inspired education across the Sciences, Humanities, Law, Medicine, the Arts and Business, with staff and students collaborating to create, share and apply knowledge to change the world. It is a world-leading, diverse and inclusive university based in the UK’s most multicultural city.

Whether you choose to study full-time on campus, or part-time via distance learning, through your studies and independent research you will acquire the advanced skills and knowledge to pursue your passion and enhance your career options.

The University of Leicester is a top 30 UK university (Complete University Guide 2023) and is proud to be one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities. Our research changes the way we think about the past, present and future. As a discovery-led University, we are elite in the excellence of our research, as well as being focused on innovation. Research underpins all of our taught postgraduate courses so you can be sure that the knowledge you’re learning, and skills you’re developing, are at the forefront of available knowledge.

Why Leicester

The University of Leicester is a leading research and teaching university with more than 30 years of experience offering high-quality distance learning courses. Over 25,000 Citizens of Change have graduated from our distance learning courses. We invite you to be the next one.

Unlike some distance learning providers, our distance learning courses are taught by the same academic staff who teach our undergraduates and postgraduates on campus. You are assured of a real university education and a real university qualification.

Each of our distance learning courses is tailored to the subject, level and requirements of our students. Some courses even include residential visits or workshops.

Supporting our students

As a Leicester distance learning student, you have full access to the same student support services as our on-campus students. This includes the Students’ Union which has a dedicated Distance Learning Officer who makes sure that your views and needs are considered in Union affairs. The Distance Learning Officer is elected each year – maybe you could be the next one?

Library

You will have access to the Library’s comprehensive online catalogue containing thousands of electronic journals and over 350,000 books. This includes the Leicester Research Archive, a digital collection of research papers and theses from members of the University.

As a Leicester student, you will be able to access the online catalogue and download these resources free of charge - wherever you are in the world. You are, of course, welcome to come onto campus and use our Library facilities at any time.

Career Development Service

For most distance-learning students, career advancement is a prime motivating factor. Our Career Development Service will offer you guidance and support throughout your studies – and beyond. The Career Development Service offers:

• Online tools and individually tailored advice to help you extend and develop your academic skills
• Employability programmes and awards including the online version of our Leicester Award
• A wide selection of one-to-one careers consultations, workshops and webinars covering interview and assessment centre skills, psychometric testing and CVs, covering letters and application forms
• Links with employers to discover the career paths that are open to you

Graduation – and beyond

As a distance learning student, you are welcome to campus at any time. We would love to meet you in person, though obviously, this is dependent on where you live. It is particularly gratifying when distance learning students are able to visit campus to take part in our graduation ceremonies, celebrating their academic achievement in the best way possible.

As part of our global alumni family, you can maintain links with the University through our Alumni Association, which has chapters around the world.