At the University of Reading studying the BA Archaeology, will help you gain knowledge aboutÊ Material Culture, Bioarchaeology (including human remains), Forensics, Past Environments (including Geoarchaeology), Museums and Gender Archaeology.
Get involved with archaeological excavations, but appreciate that itÕs about much more than just digging. Archaeology is an academic subject that will teach you valuable theoretical and practical skills. Benefit from our dedicated Archaeology Building and specialist equipment, and learn in purpose-built laboratories. You will also have easy access to our three superb on-campus museums.
One of the most popular parts of the course is our Archaeology Field School, on which every Archaeology student is guaranteed a place. In the coming years we are excavating in the Vale of Pewsey in a collaborative project with Historic England. Over 2 to 4 weeks, learn about the Neolithic men and women who built and worshipped at Stonehenge, and receive high-quality training in a range of archaeological field techniques from academic tutors and professionals from the commercial world. Take the opportunity to gain experience as a trainee and assistant supervisor by returning to the Field School in your second or third year.
If you are interested in studying abroad, you have the opportunity to spend a term at Aarhus University in Denmark or the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland, in your second year, getting to know a new academic and cultural environment.
What career can you have?
The University of Reading is 5th in the UK for percentage of graduates in employment or further study six months after graduation (The Guardian University Guide 2016; Forensic Science and Archaeology subject table) and we have long-established, excellent relationships with employers within archaeology and related sectors.
You will gain a broad range of subject-specific and transferable skills spanning the humanities and sciences. The majority of employers consider your attitude and abilities to be even more important than the subject you choose to study (CBI Skills Survey 2014). Our curriculum is designed with this in mind, giving you not just knowledge in subjects you are passionate about, but also the qualities that employers really care about Ð qualities that are transferable to a diverse range of careers.
As a world-class department with internationally-renowned teaching staff, a degree in Archaeology at the University of Reading is the best possible foundation to begin your career in commercial archaeology, planning, heritage management and archaeological research, as well as disciplines such as teaching, business and marketing.
Our recent graduates are represented among the staff of major employers such as Oxford Archaeology, Wessex Archaeology, the Museum of London Archaeology and the Natural History Museum. Some of our graduates have progressed into roles in the police force and in teaching at both primary and secondary levels. Each year a number of graduates pursue further, higher study following graduation.