Contact information
- Ms Charlotte Frearson
- Admissions Administrator
- c.frearson@ucl.ac.uk
- +44 (0)20 7679 1494
The combined Archaeology and Anthropology BA develops an understanding of the relationship between archaeology and anthropology as subjects offering a uniquely broad perspective on human experience, past and present. It draws upon an unparalleled range of expertise in the analysis of social change, human evolution and material culture.
Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction.
Pass in Access to HE Diploma, with a minimum of 18 credits awarded with Distinction in the Level 3 units, the remainder of the Level 3 units awarded with Merit.
D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects
A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher)
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-Levels at grades AAB.
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
UCL is ranked the second best place to study archaeology in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2018.
The Institute of Archaeology's degree programmes offer a huge variety of optional modules, covering a diverse range of archaeological topics in both a theoretical and a practical manner. Alongside this there are also a wide range of modules to select from in Anthropology.
Optional modules (which may not run every year) include Greek Art & Architecture, Zooarchaeology, Archaeological Photography, Indigenous Archaeology, Archaeology of Human Evolution (to name but a few!)
The degree includes 70 days of partially funded fieldwork: destinations have included Belize, Spain, USA, Romania, Portugal, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Wales, Scotland, Uganda & Greece (to name a few).
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
The degree is structured around a combination of core and optional modules. The core modules ensure that you will maintain a balanced training in archaeology and anthropology throughout the programme, while the optional modules allow you to develop specialist skills in a particular region or area of analysis.
In the first year you will receive a solid grounding in the methods and theories of social and biological anthropology, material culture studies, and archaeology.
The second and third years provide a more advanced understanding of archaeology and anthropology and allow you to develop your own specialised interests through your optional module choices.
In the third year you are given the chance to reflect critically on your fieldwork experience during the degree through a fieldwork portfolio, and write a 10,000-word dissertation on a detailed subject that you will choose with the help of a supervisor.
An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.
Field Methods
Introduction to Archaeology
Introduction to Biological Anthropology II
Introduction to Material and Visual Culture
Introductory Social Anthropology IA
Sites and Artefacts
World Archaeology: An Outline of the Deep History of Human Societies
All first-year modules are compulsory.
Current Issues in Archaeological Theory
Research and Presentation Skills
Introduction to Theoretical Perspectives in Social Anthropology and Material Culture
You will select modules to the value of 30 credits from Archaeology optional modules, 30 credits from Anthropology optional modules, and a further 15 credits in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related subject to be chosen in consultation with your Personal Tutor.
Archaeology in the World
Applied Fieldwork Portfolio
Dissertation
You will select 45 credits of optional modules in Archaeology or Anthropology, and a further 15 credits in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related subject to be chosen in consultation with your Personal Tutor.
You will be taught using a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, either field or laboratory-based. Full use is made of our extensive teaching and reference collections and close connections to the national museums and collections of London.
Coursework, typically 1,500-2,500 word essays, is used to assess most modules. Most compulsory modules and some optional modules involve an examination element too. The completion of 70 days' fieldwork is a requirement for all archaeology students.
Detailed course descriptions are available on the department website: Archaeology and Anthropology BA.
Throughout the degree, which includes 70 days of fieldwork, students develop the ability to work collaboratively and effectively within teams as well as working independently in order to execute research. Students develop strong research and analytical skills and an appreciation of the importance of recovering primary data through practical experience.
Students learn to communicate effectively verbally, visually and in writing to diverse audiences and develop a sensitivity to different cultures.
Our graduates go on to work in a variety of fields from archaeology (fieldwork, research and academia) and anthropology, heritage, museums, the UK civil service and police, law, engineering, business - the possibilities are extremely wide and varied. Alumni have gone on to work for Consultancies, City Businesses and the Government, as well as Museums, Academia and Heritage organisations.
UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
“The Institute of Archaeology at UCL was really the obvious first choice. The staff are friendly and welcoming, there are loads of courses made available to undergrads as well as a variety of facilities, and it is consistently ranked as one of (if not the) best archaeology departments in the UK. ”Finn McLaughlin - Archaeology and Anthropology BA Third Year
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2020/21 academic year. The UK/EU fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2020/21 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc. on this programme, please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
We use predicted grades, references, previous academic records and the personal statement on your application to assess your suitability for the programme. You should demonstrate your interest in studying archaeology and anthropology and explain the measures you have taken to sustain your interest in the past. Evidence of interests and activities beyond the school curriculum will also be of benefit.
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Application deadline: 15 January 2020
The UCAS application forms are assessed by a central UCL team and the Institute of Archaeology. The personal statement and predicted grades are used for assessment and sometimes extra information is requested.
Once an offer has been made applicants, unless living overseas, are invited to attend a Post Offer Open Day where they will meet staff and students and will be able to see all of the facilities on site at the UCL Institute of Archaeology and UCL.
Additionally, the open day allows you to learn about our archaeological artefacts, meet specific tutors, tour UCL and the institute, and find out more about the degree programmes, resources and facilities we offer. Alternative arrangements can be made for those living overseas including Virtual Open Days and tours outside of the advertised dates.
For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.
Page last modified on 12 March 2020