13 Best Archaeology Bachelor's Degree Programs in United Kingdom for 2024

Archaeology covers a huge range of topics, spanning humans' evolution through the development of farming, ancient civilisations and world empires, and the role of material culture in human life and heritage in modern societies.

Archaeology is the study of the past from its material remains, meaning everything that past generations have left behind for us to study from their artefacts to the DNA in their bones. Its theories and methods embrace the humanities and sciences. Its time range extends from the evolution of humans millions of years ago to the archaeology of the 21st century, through major transitions in human history including the beginnings of farming, states, empires and globalization. The complex role of the archaeological heritage for our own societies is another major interest of Cambridge archaeologists.

Course Overview: The degree encompasses multiple tracks: Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, Assyriology and Egyptology. You can specialise in your chosen track already in Year 1, or combine them in Year 1 and specialise from Year 2.

Archaeology covers a broad range of topics, from the evolution of humans through the development of farming, ancient societies, and world empires, to heritage in modern societies. Students can choose to specialise in Archaeology (covering all world cultures), Biological Anthropology, Egyptology or Assyriology.

Our distance learning courses allow you to study ancient history and classical 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. When it comes to understanding the past, two disciplines are often better than one. In this degree, you’ll study the ancient and classical worlds through both textual and material remains, with the added flexibility of working from home.

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.

Archaeology explores a wide range of evidence that documents the human past – from artefacts, monuments and settlements to entire landscapes – and from these interprets how societies have adapted and developed. Modules focus on different periods of World, European and Irish/British archaeology, from human origins to modern times and heritage.

The study of heritage is vital for understanding our sense of identity and place. Heritage has widespread meaning; past, present and future narratives are interwoven with both physical features (landscapes, buildings, structures, monuments and objects), and more intangible practices based on oral traditions and living memory that enliven and enrich cultural experience (stories, traditions, crafts, food, dance, music and poetry). Our new BA (Hons) in Heritage and Archaeology draws on the University of Bradford's cutting-edge archaeological research, where we are driving an understanding of heritage, archaeology and wellbeing, as well as using innovative technologies to contribute to our understanding of the past and its value today. The programme will span local, regional and global heritage, investigating new methods, and the value of heritage for contemporary society across many cultural contexts. The programme is at the forefront of initiatives that recognise the importance of heritage and culture to future social cohesion and economic success by building a meaningful understanding of our diverse pasts. In addition to vocational skills, studying Heritage and Archaeology will give you a broad range of transferable skills including problem-solving, team working, and independent research, preparing you for a wide variety of careers, future studies and research. We have over 40 years of success in delivering placements and employment with a very wide range of commercial and public sector partners.

Our Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies degree takes you on a highly engaging and fascinating adventure through time. From the Bronze Age to the Crusades and beyond, it’s an absorbing three-year journey exploring the archaeology, history, art and religion in the British Isles, continental Europe and the Mediterranean. The course has a multidisciplinary approach to the human past and is led by expert faculty from two of Winchester’s leading teaching and research departments, Archaeology, Anthropology and Geography and History. You can choose modules from the whole range of modules in Archaeology, Classical Studies and History that cover the Bronze Age to the medieval period, for example, The Greek World (Archaeology), The Glory of Athens and the Shadow of Sparta (Classical Studies), Roman Britain (Archaeology), The Pax Romana (Classical Studies), The Archaeology of Conflict (Archaeology) and Societies at War – England and France, 1189-1529 (History).

Our degree in Archaeology integrates traditional archaeology with the practical application of scientific methods that are applied to today’s archaeology.It is a professionally-focused degree in archaeology with a strong fieldwork component and a focus on human osteology or the environment.

This degree explores how archaeological techniques and the analysis of human remains are used in a forensic (medico-legal) context. You will gain a full grounding in archaeological excavation, surveying, and recording of crime scenes. In addition, you will also learn about human anatomy and anthropological analysis of human remains, including age, sex, ancestry assessment, and the analysis and interpretation of trauma.

The ancient Greek and Roman worlds have given us an extraordinarily rich heritage of culture, literature, politics, philosophy, art, architecture and archaeology as well as paving the way for democracy, modern-day sewers, underfloor heating and the calendar. Whatever you aspire to become – and Classical Studies students have conquered most fields – an understanding of the classical past gives you a keen lens through which to view the modern world. Our BA in Classical Studies takes an innovative, multidisciplinary dive into this fascinating cultural and intellectual history. You gain a critical yet empathetic appreciation of different worldviews on a course that blends the study of history, literature, drama, philosophy, archaeology, art and architecture. Knowledge of Classical languages is not required, but opportunities to learn and develop your language skills may be on offer.

Conservators play a key role in the protection and care of cultural heritage, preserving artworks, architecture, archaeology, and museum collections for future generations to enjoy. The BA (Hons) Conservation of Cultural Heritage degree offers the chance to gain extensive, hands-on experience working on a range of historic materials provided by museums, historic houses, and private collections.