The QS World University Rankings by Subject are compiled annually to help prospective students identify the leading universities in a particular subject.
The Institute of Archaeology continues to be globally recognised for the excellence of our teaching and student experience, as reflected in numerous university league tables, and offers Undergraduate, Graduate Taught and Graduate Research Programmes to UK/EU and overseas students.
Currently ranked 3rd in the world for subject area in the QS World University Rankings 2025, the Institute’s degree programmes offer an unrivalled variety of course options, both theoretical and practical, covering diverse archaeological topics, as well as wide-ranging fieldwork opportunities.
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Few other subject areas address the wide breadth of skills and knowledge covered in an archaeology or heritage-related degree. Studying at the Institute provides students with transferable skills valuable across a number of careers, not least becoming an Archaeologist. Our partnership with Archaeology South-East (ASE), the commercial archaeology division of the UCL Institute of Archaeology, provides students with the opportunity to gain knowledge of the world of contract archaeology.
The Institute of Archaeology is a long-established international leader in the discipline, collaborating with an extensive network of external partners in the UK and overseas and is also ranked 1st for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
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As one of the UK's leading specialist institutions, being amongst the largest centres for archaeology, cultural heritage and museum studies in the world, we are pleased to again rank so highly in the QS. Founded in 1937, we actively pursue research around the world and across the full spectrum of human experience. We aim to provide our students with stimulating, research-led teaching within flexible and wide-ranging degrees and our graduates have an enviable record in securing employment in both public and private sectors."
Beno Rothenberg Memorial Lecture 2026: From Mine to Masterpiece
Booking is now open for this year's Beno Rothenberg Memorial Lecture, which will be held at the UCL Institute of Archaeology on 27 May 2026.
14 May 2026
Stephen Shennan appointed Honorary Research Professor at Peking University
Professor Stephen Shennan has been appointed Honorary Research Professor at Peking University, strengthening long-standing archaeological collaboration links.
13 May 2026
Chelmsford excavation uncovers two further coins from Late Iron Age hoard
Two Iron Age gold coins have been recovered during a fresh excavation of the Great Baddow Hoard findspot.
12 May 2026