Archaeology with a Placement Year BA

A Levels

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

International applications

In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

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.

• Combine a wide-ranging degree in archaeology at a world-leading university with a year of professional training and paid employment as part of a leading professional archaeological team working in South-East England.

• 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).

Core modules in the first year provide a solid grounding in the practical and theoretical methods in archaeology and an introduction to major issues in world prehistory.

The second and fourth years provide a more advanced understanding of archaeology and allow you to develop your own specialised interests by choosing optional modules in particular subject areas.

During year three up to eight students, who have demonstrated an aptitude and commitment in years two and three, will work as a part of a professional team to excavate, survey, study, manage and conserve historic sites and finds. Working alongside our expert staff, in a stimulating and innovative environment, you will be at the forefront of new archaeological discovery, engaging with the public to promote an understanding of the historic environment.

Modules

An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.

Your learning

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.

Assessment

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 with a Placement Year 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 wide variety of fields from archaeology (fieldwork, research and academia), heritage, museums, the UK civil service and police, law, engineering, business - the question really is, what can't you do with an archaeology degree?

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.

Tuition fees

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.

UK/EU students

£9,250 (2020/21)

Overseas students

£27,540 (2020/21)

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

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).

Funding

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.

Departmental scholarships

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.