Archaeology BA (Hons)
Cardiff University
Student rating
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( 4.4) View reviews

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Different course options
2 options available
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Main Site - Cardiff

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site - Cardiff

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Cathays Park Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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Archaeology
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A level
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Extended Project
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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T Level
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Location

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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Channel Islands
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EU
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Course info

Why study this courseArchaeology is the only discipline that allows you to study humanity from the earliest hominids five million years ago to the present day. It enables all of us to better understand what it is to be human and explore the richness of the human experience.Blending the sciences, social sciences and humanities, our BA Archaeology will equip you with the skills youll need to study the past through material evidence and will introduce you to the archaeology of Britain and the ...Read more

Why study this course

Archaeology is the only discipline that allows you to study humanity from the earliest hominids five million years ago to the present day. It enables all of us to better understand what it is to be human and explore the richness of the human experience.

Blending the sciences, social sciences and humanities, our BA Archaeology will equip you with the skills youll need to study the past through material evidence and will introduce you to the archaeology of Britain and the Mediterranean World. Building on your passions and curiosity, youll have the opportunity to specialise in the study of the periods and regions which interest you, ranging from the prehistoric to post-medieval periods. In addition to developing an understanding of specific archaeological contexts, well also ensure you can place this research and knowledge into a contemporary context including how archaeology can inform debates in todays society and how heritage sites and collections are managed.

You will be introduced to a variety of key archaeological skills relating to the study of artefacts and environmental evidence and help you develop your field skills with eight weeks of placement, typically on an archaeological excavation, developing your skills in an authentic context. These memorable placements take place in the summers following Year One and Year Two, in the UK and overseas.

As well as practical skills, honed in the field and in our excellent facilities, youll gain and develop special research skills through a second-year independent study module. Supported by one of our expert staff, youll plan and undertake an archaeological research project on a topic of your choice. The optionality and increased specialisation as you progress through your degree means you will enjoy a programme of high integrity, tailored to furnishing you with skills of value within and beyond the heritage sector.

BA Archaeology provides the ultimate all round degree and is an excellent way to develop a range of skills valued by employers, for example through developing teamworking and leadership skills in the field and learning how to analyse evidence and communicate complex stories about the past to a range of audiences.

Learning and assessment

The School of History, Archaeology and Religion enables you to develop in a high-quality learning environment, supported by a student-orientated approach to the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, practicals, workshops, interactive classes, field trips, and one-to-one tutorials. You will also undertake independent study and research, with guidance from tutors.

Lectures provide an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you to carry out independent research for the seminars and to develop your own ideas. Seminars provide an opportunity for you to explore the ideas outlined in the lecture in a small group environment.

Seminars usually consist of about 15 students and the seminar leader (a member of the teaching team). Seminars may take various formats, including plenary group discussion, small group work and student-led presentations. They offer a rewarding opportunity to engage critically with the key ideas and reading of a topic, and to explore areas of particular interest with an expert in the field.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
22/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
13th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
27th
Forensic and Archaeological Sciences
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 70 = 30% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
30%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
85%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Forensic and Archaeological Sciences graduate salary at this uni
£18,000
UK Forensic and Archaeological Sciences graduate salary
£18,000
What students say
A
Anaë
28 Jan 25

I'm getting lost sometimes on the campus but so far it's great..Read more

A
Anmir
12 Dec 24

Residences options offered for 2nd year international students are subpar. Literaly my only complaint everything else is..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BCC - BBB Grades / Points required

Extended Project:

A Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

31 - 29 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDM - DMM Grades / Points required

T Level:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

For applicants taking the EPQ qualification, an A in the EPQ can be recognised to lower the entry requirements by a single grade. For example, an AAB offer would be "AAB from 3 A-levels or ABB from 3 A-levels and a grade A in the EPQ". Please note that any subject specific requirements must be met.

31-29 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science, Computing, Humanities, or Social Science. We will consider BTECs in alternative subjects alongside other academic qualifications and any relevant work or volunteer experience.

Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in place of one A-level at the A-level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

Popular A-level subjects

Forensic and Archaeological Sciences

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

History
78%
English Literature
29%
Religious Studies & Theology
19%
Sociology
14%
Government & Politics
12%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£22,700 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£22,700 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£22700 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Archaeology reviews

Archaeology
Archaeology
A
Anaë
28 Jan 25
Archaeology and History BA (Hons)
I'm getting lost sometimes on the campus but so far it's great...
Read more
A
Anmir
12 Dec 24
Archaeology BA (Hons)
Residences options offered for 2nd year international students are subpar. Literaly my only complaint everything else is...
Read more
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How Archaeology students rated:

Student rating
( 4.5) 24 reviews
5 star
55%
4 stars
41%
3 stars
4%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.4) 3,380 reviews
5 star
48%
4 stars
45%
3 stars
7%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

Cardiff University
30-36 Newport Road Cardiff CF24 0DE United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Cardiff Queen Street  0.1 miles away
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