It's extra special to study Archaeology at a University situated in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, occupying part of the same ground as the original St Augustine's Abbey.
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Overview
Our Canterbury Campus is in a World Heritage Site, making it an excellent place to study Archaeology.
You will participate in funded fieldwork placements, where you will gain practical experience and transferable skills.
Our expert staff will support and inspire you in your academic journey as we explore the past, from the earliest human origins through to the present day. You will study the theories, methods and practice of archaeology including laboratory analysis of artefacts and skeletal remains, survey, excavation and computing techniques, and contemporary debates in archaeological thought.
100% of our Archaeology students were satisfied with the quality of their course.
National Student Survey 2021
Why Study Archaeology with Foundation Year?
A foundation year helps you develop the study skills and self-confidence needed for higher education when you don’t reach the entry requirements for your subject.
Whether you are a school leaver or someone considering returning to study but don’t have the entry requirements for your chosen subject, a foundation year is the stepping stone to starting a degree.
Archaeology is a fascinating and varied subject. It is both practical and academic and draws upon the humanities, natural and social sciences, and the arts.
Our course will help you to consolidate a wide range of skills that will equip you for employment across a number of sectors including heritage, education, environmental policy and planning, tourism, conservation, museums, charities, and media.
Note: At the moment we are planning to run the compulsory fieldwork element in the summer as normal. We may have to adjust our plans in the light of national guidance on the COVID-19 situation. COVID-secure protocols can be established to deliver the Fieldwork if necessary, however, if there is a national lockdown, the fieldwork will be postponed until it is safe to undertake it.
Complete University Guide Subject League Table 2022
In the Top 12 for student satisfaction with the quality of teaching in the subject area of Archaeology.
Culver Archaeological Project Fieldwork Training
You can start your journey with a foundation year
What careers can a degree in archaeology lead to?
All about the course
The foundation year is designed to help you develop self-confidence, knowledge and skills in a highly supportive environment, so you are prepared to study at degree level.
You'll learn about arts and humanities and will begin to understand research methods and skills that are needed as you enter Year 1.
Entry requirements
Qualification type |
Grades |
| A Levels | EEE |
| BTEC | PPP |
| Access | Pass 45 Credits |
| International Baccalaureate | 24 points |
| Combinations | A combination of qualifications totalling 32 UCAS points minimum |
For more information on the IELTS (International English language Testing System) requirements for this course, please click here to visit our dedicated web page.
More information about entry requirements.
Applicants should normally have 32 UCAS Tariff points. We will also welcome applications from students with few or no formal Level 3 qualifications who wish to return to education and applicants may be asked to attend an interview.
You do not need to have significant prior knowledge of arts and humanities related subjects but should be motivated to study the subject.
32
UCAS Points
Module information
Please note that the list of optional modules and their availability may be subject to change. We continually review and where appropriate, revise the range of modules on offer to reflect changes in the subject and ensure the best student experience. Modules will vary when studied in combination with another subject.
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
You will learn through a combination of academic and practical activities on and off campus. Some modules are centred around lectures, seminars and workshops (usually held weekly and of two-hour duration), while the majority of practical teaching is in the laboratory and field, where you can spend up to eight weeks learning archaeological techniques.
You will have one-to-one contact time with staff during your studies and for some modules, such as the optional third year dissertation, there will be small group tutorials and individual supervision.
You will typically have around 10 contact hours per week although your contact hours in Years 2 and 3 will depend on the optional modules you select. In addition there is one-to-one contact and day field trips.
All courses are informed by the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2015-2022.
100% of our Archaeology students were satisfied with the learning opportunities on their course.
National Student Survey 2021
When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will continue learning through self-guided study. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, local museums and heritage sites, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments, workshops, and seminars.
Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.
For your dissertation in Year 3, you will undertake independent research alongside workshops and one-to-one supervision from a member of the course team.
Your overall workload typically consists of around 10 contact hours per week during semester time. In addition, you will undertake 13-15 hours of independent learning and assessment activity. In some weeks there will be field trips, and the fieldwork placement typically takes place five days a week (full-time) over the course of a month during the summer.
96% of our Archaeology students were satisfied with the assessment and feedback on their course.
National Student Survey 2021
The team consists of highly qualified academics who have a range of expertise and experience. Our staff are research-active and they have experience in delivering research-informed teaching.
Our team members hold doctoral, teaching and professional qualifications. The majority of staff hold Higher Education Academy professional teaching qualifications and/or membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists.
Postgraduate students and invited guest lecturers sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules. However, our permanent course team deliver the vast majority of teaching.
You should note members of the teaching team might change.
Working in an UNESCO World Heritage Site offers so many opportunities to truly immerse yourself in this dynamic, hands-on subject. I specialise in medieval archaeology and osteoarchaeology and I particularly enjoy teaching across a range of environments both on and off campus, from the newly built laboratories, to the many heritage sites on our doorstep.
Dr Ellie WilliamsSubject Lead, Archaeology
National Student Survey 2021
of our Archaeology students were satisfied with the academic support on their course.
How you’ll be assessed
Our modules are assessed through a combination of written coursework assignments (such as essays and reports), practical exercises (such as laboratory reports and assessed work in the field), with less emphasis on exams. Support and guidance for assessments is provided throughout the course.
The balance of assessment depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.
55% Coursework
45% Practical assessments
Your future career
A degree in archaeology provides training in creative and critical thinking, analysis of complex datasets, and research and communication. The study and practice of archaeology also rely on excellent teamwork, management, and problem-solving skills. This opens many opportunities for employment and further study.
Our graduates have successfully gained employment in a range of professions, including commercial archaeology, local government, museums, and industry. Recent graduates have worked for Wessex Archaeology, Canterbury Archaeological Trust, Historic England, and the National Trust. The degree can also lead onto postgraduate study of archaeology or a related discipline such as history, geography, museum studies, or anthropology. Recent graduates have gone on to pursue postgraduate qualifications in specialist fields such as osteoarchaeology, heritage studies, and urban planning.
Since graduating I have started a Masters in Tourism and Events Management. I hope to work within the heritage sector organising community events and outreach activities. The Archaeology Team helped me to discover which career path I wanted to take, and their ongoing support helped me to expand my skill set and knowledge within the archaeological sector. They also provided great pastoral care and ensured I could reach my full potential.
BethGraduate
Students on a dig at the Culver Archaeological Project
Fees
The 2022/23 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK** | Overseas*** | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time - Foundation Year 0 | £9,250 | £14,500 |
| Full-time - years 1-3 * | £9,250 | £14,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
* The tuition fees of £9,250 / £14,500 relate to 2022/23 only. Please read the 2022/23 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding 2022/23 tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
**Home (UK) Fees
The fees above are for the 2022/23 academic year but may be subject to change following any announcements by the UK Government (approved by Parliament) regarding maximum Undergraduate tuition fee caps for 2022/23.
In addition, the University reserves the right to increase all full-time and part-time Undergraduate tuition fees mid-course, in line with any further inflationary increase in the Government tuition fee cap which is approved by Parliament. The University will publish information about any changes to tuition fees on its website.
***Overseas Fees (including EU fees):
Undergraduate Overseas tuition fees for International students are not subject to the Government’s regulations on maximum tuition fees.
Students with an Overseas fee status will be eligible for an International student Scholarship fee discount of £1,500, which will be applied to all Full-time Undergraduate courses with a tuition fee of £14,500.
Students with an EU fee status will be eligible for the EEA Transition Scholarship. Further details can be found here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/fees-and-funding/international-student-fees-and-funding
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Diamond Jubilee Scholarships and Bursaries
To celebrate 60 years of transforming lives through education new cash bursary and scholarship opportunities are available for students starting a degree in September 2022. See full details.
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The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
4 yearsUCAS code:
V402Location(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
Email us
courses@canterbury.ac.uk
Phone us
+44 (0)1227 928000
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