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Contact information
- Ms Charlotte Frearson
- Admissions Administrator
- c.frearson@ucl.ac.uk
- +44 (0)20 7679 1494
Archaeology with a Placement Year BA
This degree offers all the flexibility of the Archaeology BA programme combined with the opportunity to work as a part of a professional team to excavate, survey, study, manage and conserve historic sites and finds. Working alongside the expert staff at Archaeology South-East (ASE), 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.
Key Information
Programme starts
September 2020
- UCAS code
- F403
- Duration
-
Full-time: 4 years
- Application deadline
- 15 January 2020
- Location
- London, Bloomsbury
Entry requirements
A Levels
- Grades
- ABB
- Subjects
- No specific subjects.
- At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5. For UK-based students, a grade C or 5 or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs
Contextual offer
- Grades
- BBB (more about contextual offers)
- Subjects
- No specific subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5. For UK-based students, a grade C or 5 or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs
IB Diploma
- Points
- 34
- Subjects
- A score of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no score lower than 5.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 32 (more about contextual offers)
- Subjects
- A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no score below 5.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
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 28 credits awarded with Merit in the Level 3 units.
D3,M1,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects
ABB at Advanced Highers (or AB at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher)
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-Levels at grades ABB.
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.
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.
Degree benefits
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).
Degree structure
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.
Core or compulsory module(s)
Field Methods
Introduction to Archaeology
Introduction to Social Anthropology
People and Environments
Sites and Artefacts
World Archaeology: The Deep History of Human Societies
Optional modules
You will select one 15 credits optional module from the following:
Introduction to Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology
Introduction to European Prehistory
Introduction to Greek Archaeology
Introduction to Roman Archaeology
Texts in Archaeology
Core or compulsory module(s)
Current Issues in Archaeological Theory
Interpreting Archaeological Evidence
Public Archaeology
Research and Presentation Skills
Public Archaeology
Optional modules
You will select 15 credits in World Archaeology
15 credits in Archaeological Science or Skills – an updated list will be published each year
30 credits of optional modules in Archaeology or a related subject to be selected in consultation with your Personal Tutor
Placement year
Core or compulsory module(s)
Archaeology in the World
Field Archaeology
Dissertation
Optional modules
You will select a total of 60 credits from the following:
15 credits in world archaeology
15 credits in archaeological science or skills – an updated list will be published each year
Optional modules in Archaeology or a related subject, to be selected in consultation with your Personal Tutor to the value of 30 credits
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.
Careers
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.
Fees and funding
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.
Application and next steps
Your application
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 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.
How to apply
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
Selection
The UCAS application forms are assessed by a central UCL team and the Archaeology department. 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