Course starts: September 2027 Location: London, Bloomsbury

Archaeology with Study Abroad BA

Build your expertise of archaeological concepts and major issues of prehistory, and get to grips with practical and analytical techniques, transferable to many sectors. Learning from UCL’s internationally renowned researchers, You’ll go deeper into the chronological periods, geographical areas and specialist skills that interest you most. Fieldwork is a major component of the degree, to build your skills in excavation, museum work, research, and digital projects, both locally and where possible overseas. Spend your third year studying at one of UCL’s partner universities.

Key information

Full-time

4 academic years full time

UK: £9,790 per year
International: £39,200 per year

13 January 2027. Applications close at 6pm UK time.
Applications may stay open after this UCAS Equal Consideration deadline, please check UCAS for details.

Entry requirements

Grades: ABB
GCSEs: English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4

Contextual offer

Grades: BBC
GCSEs: English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4

At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.

Select a UK qualification

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JavaScript is required to view international equivalencies. Visit UCL International for more information.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages and International Education.

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. Access UCL is our contextual offer scheme for applicants from groups that are underrepresented at UCL. We assess your eligibility for Access UCL based on the information contained within your UCAS application. We review and update our Access UCL eligibility criteria and datasets every year, so please check the requirements for the year you plan to apply.

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who do not have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

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: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

About this course

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

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

Your third year is spent studying abroad at one of our partner institutions, where you will study modules in archaeology and related subjects. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your understanding of the theory and practice of archaeology outside the UK. You will benefit from the expertise and advice of UCL’s Study Abroad Office and our departmental Study Abroad Tutor. You will need to be in good academic standing and linguistically competent for your exchange destination.

In your final year, you will present a portfolio designed to encourage you to critically reflect on your fieldwork experiences. You will also design, execute and present an extended piece of research on a chosen subject with the help of a supervisor.

Throughout the degree, you will be able to select optional modules that provide an in-depth study of particular geographical regions, periods, and archaeological materials. Optional modules will help you develop practical skills in a range of areas, from topographical surveying to archaeological photography. Optional modules taught by the Institute run on a biennial basis and range from Roman Art and Architecture to Pottery Analysis; from Geoarchaeology to Zooarchaeology; from Amazonia or the Aztecs to Stonehenge, China and Early Islamic Archaeology.

We are looking for students who can demonstrate an interest in the past, and the development of human societies across geographical regions, time periods and material cultures. We will refer to your Personal Statement for evidence of critical thinking, communication and analytical ability. We are keen to attract a diverse student cohort, and welcome applications from mature students.

Course structure

First year compulsory modules give you a grounding in the broad range of materials analysed by archaeologists, fieldwork methods, an introduction to social anthropology and a survey of world archaeology.

Second year compulsory modules provide you with a more advanced understanding of archaeological theories and develop your research and presentation skills.

In third year you will study abroad at a partner institution.

In your final year you will present a portfolio designed to encourage you to critically reflect on your fieldwork experiences. You will also design, execute and present an extended piece of research on a subject that you will choose, research, and write up with the help of a supervisor.

You will be able to select optional modules that provide an in-depth study of particular geographical regions, time periods, or archaeological materials.

Modules

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).

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

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.

Fieldwork is a major component of the degree with 50 days of partially-funded fieldwork being a compulsory element. Fieldwork includes excavation, museum work, research, and digital fieldwork projects that can take students all over the globe.

Coursework, typically 1,000-2,500 word essays, is used to assess most modules. Some optional modules involve an examination element.

Typical contact hours vary between 8–12 hours per week, depending on the year of study and module choice, and include lectures, seminars, practicals and workshops.

Students are also expected to undertake 20–25 hours of independent study each week, engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for class discussions, assessments and online learning activities. In addition, throughout the degree you will complete 50 days of site visits, training courses and fieldwork.

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fee comparison by study mode and student status.
Study mode	UK fee (2026/27)	Overseas fee (2026/27)
Full time	£9,790	£39,200

UK undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are subject to parliamentary approval and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases. Fees for 2027/28 entry will be published in August 2026.

International undergraduate students benefit from a cohort guarantee unless indicated below, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

International fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2026/27 entrants.

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

Fieldwork costs (travel and food) can be covered by the department provided that students attend recommended UK-based projects. Students who choose to go on other fieldwork will need to contribute to any additional charges involved.

Compulsory Training Excavation: the cost is covered by the department

Recommended UK-based Fieldwork (example for 2025, Bodiam Castle & Norton Suffolk): the cost covered by the department

UK Fieldwork (other than projects recommended by department) the department covers £25 per day and travel to the site; any additional cost covered by students.

Overseas Fieldwork (other than projects recommended by department) the department covers £25 per day and £225 for travel within Europe and £335 for travel outside of Europe; any additional cost be covered by students.

Students are expected to provide their own equipment, between approximately £300 and £500 to purchase new. Example of equipment required: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, waterproof footwear, waterproof jacket. Students are expected to own a trowel. The approximate cost for a WHS trowel is currently (in January 2026) £16.80.

Please note that study abroad during your course at UCL is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.

For in-person teaching, UCL's main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1–2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2026. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., 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.

Why study this course at UCL?

The Institute of Archaeology was founded in 1937 as a centre for archaeological training, and remains one of the largest and highly regarded centres for archaeology and heritage studies.

You will become part of a top-class institution, currently ranked third in the world for archaeology in the QS World Rankings 2025. We offer an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming learning environment.

You will benefit from spending a year studying abroad at a partner institution.

The Institute has outstanding facilities for an unparalleled range of archaeological research, including laboratories, equipment, archives and collections. These include specialist laboratories for geoarchaeological study, archaeobotany, DNA and bone analysis, and photography and conservation labs. The Wolfson Archaeological Science Laboratories contain excellent facilities for the examination and analysis of a wide variety of archaeological materials, including electron and optical microscopy. Our collections contain over 80,000 artefacts that are used in teaching, research and outreach.

As well as the extensive libraries at UCL, you also have access to the Institute of Archaeology Library contains approximately 70,000 books, and nearly 800 current periodicals and journals. Our holdings are strong in all aspects of archaeological theory, prehistoric Britain and Europe, the archaeology of Western Asia Ancient, Near East, Classical Greece and Rome, Egypt, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

Discover Uni

To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.

What this course will give you

Students will learn to communicate effectively verbally, visually and in writing to diverse audiences and develop a sensitivity to different cultures. Students will also develop excellent transferable skills providing the experience necessary to work both within the archaeology, heritage and museum sector and in numerous sectors outside of the discipline.

Throughout the degree, students develop highly desirable transferable skills valuable across a range of job sectors. These include both independent working and teamwork skills, research and analytical skills, planning and project management, and an understanding of the importance of recovering primary data through practical experience.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
UCL Archaeology South East
Atkins Global PLC
British Museum
CMS Legal
Co-Operative Group
Historic England
Houses of Parliament
Ministry of Justice
Museum of London Archaeology
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Saxon Mount School

(Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of graduates in the 2017–2023 cohorts.)

Human resources and recruitment
Security and intelligence
Charities, NGOs and international development
Academic research and HE
Media
Arts admin; libraries, museums and heritage
Hospitality, leisure and tourism
Teaching and other educational activities
Consultancy
Law
Health and social care
Construction, built environment and property

Professional accreditation

All UCL Institute of Archaeology undergraduate degrees are accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists CIfA and Universities Archaeology UK UAUK . In 2026 the five-yearly review of this accreditation will take place. On graduation, students can become a Practitioner member of CIfA PCIfA , which demonstrates the skills required for employment in archaeology, heritage and museums, as well as a commitment to maintain high professional standards, attributes that are important for employment in many sectors within or outside of archaeology.

Open days

Find out more about our in-person Open Days, online events and courses and subjects that interest you.

Register your interest

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.

Once an offer has been made applicants are invited to attend a Post Offer Open Day which allows you to learn about our archaeological artefacts, meet staff and students, tour UCL and the institute, and find out more about the degree courses, 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.

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.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Apply for this course

You are applying for the Archaeology with Study Abroad BA course. For application guidance please visit Application guidelines.

Course starts: September 2027

UCAS applications open for 2027 entry on 12 May 2026.

Got questions? Get in touch

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Institute of Archaeology

admissions.ioa@ucl.ac.uk

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Archaeology with Study Abroad BA

Key information