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BSc ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE WITH PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT

  • UCAS code
    F421
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2021
  • Course duration
     4 years
  • Year of entry
    2021
  • Course duration
     4 years
View all

COVID-19 update


Find out about how we'll be delivering our courses in 2020.

Our BSc Archaeological Science with Professional Placement is one of the top scientific archaeology courses in the UK. You'll benefit from outstanding teaching collections and laboratory facilities – with dedicated spaces for the analysis of human remains, artefacts, plant pollen, and archaeological soils and sediments.

Join a University that's ranked in the top 10 UK universities for Archaeology according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020.

We have an outstanding track record for student satisfaction, with satisfaction scores of 90-100% for the quality of our courses in the National Student Survey, 2010-2020.

BSc Archaeological Science differs from our BA Archaeology course as it concentrates much more on the scientific and forensic aspects of archaeology. On this course, you will gain a wide range of skills to assist you in the study of human bones (including osteology and palaeopathology), enabling you to learn more about past societies, diets and diseases. 

You will have the opportunity to participate in a dedicated Field School during your course, providing you with direct hands-on experience in all aspects of an archaeological excavation. Put your skills into practice, including excavation, surveying, GIS (geographical information systems) mapping, planning, and finds processing, and contribute to archaeological knowledge through our discoveries.

The course also has a strong focus on environmental archaeology and geoarchaeology, through which you will make fascinating discoveries about ancient human societies, as well as the evolution of landscapes and climate change.

This diverse approach presents you with many areas to explore and specialise in, providing you with plenty of options for your final-year dissertation.

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.

Placement year 

This four-year degree course includes a placement, giving you the opportunity to develop valuable professional and international experience. 

We provide opportunities for you to undertake placements in a variety of contexts. Placements are an excellent way to enhance your work-related skills and develop a network of contacts, as well as strengthen your employability prospects.

Opportunities are available working across the Archaeological, Heritage, Planning and Museum sectors including: research institutions, government organisations, local planning authorities, archaeological consultancies, field units, specialists and archivists. Alternatively you can choose a placement in a non-related business or industry, exploring different career options and enhancing your employability by drawing on the many non-vocational, transferable skills you obtain from an Archaeology degree.

Recent examples include:

  • Traineeship with Oxford Archaeology
  • Traineeship at the Field School
  • Archaeological science placement at QUEST, the University of Reading’s scientific consultancy company
  • Volunteering at the Ure Museum, Cole Museum of Zoology and the Museum of English Rural Life
  • Human remains placement
  • Mediterranean Palaeoclimate Project placement
  • Hominin Skeletal Morphology placement
  • Archaeological Graphics placement
  • Lithics Reference Collection placement
  • “Developing Experimental Archaeology for Research and Training” placement
  • “The Ecology of Crusading: Isotope Analysis and Faunal Remains” placement
  • Summer Enterprise Experience and Discovery internship scheme

Our department has a dedicated member of staff in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Students opting to undertake a standard three-year degree course will also have the opportunity to take a fully-credited placement or to spend a single term at one of our partner Universities abroad. Current options include the Universities of Malta, Aarhus (Denmark), Torún (Poland) and the University of Florida in Gainesville (U.S.A.).

Accreditation

Our BA Archaeology and BSc Archaeological Science courses are accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and are among the first recognised for providing key skills relevant to careers in the historic environment. Student membership of CIfA is offered to all students enrolled on these courses, who then have access to CIfA's e-learning modules and specialist professional networks, which also provides details of available jobs in the profession. CIfA membership is a desirable asset for many jobs in the heritage sector.

 

CIfA accreditation logo

Overview

Our BSc Archaeological Science with Professional Placement is one of the top scientific archaeology courses in the UK. You'll benefit from outstanding teaching collections and laboratory facilities – with dedicated spaces for the analysis of human remains, artefacts, plant pollen, and archaeological soils and sediments.

Join a University that's ranked in the top 10 UK universities for Archaeology according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020.

We have an outstanding track record for student satisfaction, with satisfaction scores of 90-100% for the quality of our courses in the National Student Survey, 2010-2020.

BSc Archaeological Science differs from our BA Archaeology course as it concentrates much more on the scientific and forensic aspects of archaeology. On this course, you will gain a wide range of skills to assist you in the study of human bones (including osteology and palaeopathology), enabling you to learn more about past societies, diets and diseases. 

You will have the opportunity to participate in a dedicated Field School during your course, providing you with direct hands-on experience in all aspects of an archaeological excavation. Put your skills into practice, including excavation, surveying, GIS (geographical information systems) mapping, planning, and finds processing, and contribute to archaeological knowledge through our discoveries.

The course also has a strong focus on environmental archaeology and geoarchaeology, through which you will make fascinating discoveries about ancient human societies, as well as the evolution of landscapes and climate change.

This diverse approach presents you with many areas to explore and specialise in, providing you with plenty of options for your final-year dissertation.

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.

Placement year 

This four-year degree course includes a placement, giving you the opportunity to develop valuable professional and international experience. 

We provide opportunities for you to undertake placements in a variety of contexts. Placements are an excellent way to enhance your work-related skills and develop a network of contacts, as well as strengthen your employability prospects.

Opportunities are available working across the Archaeological, Heritage, Planning and Museum sectors including: research institutions, government organisations, local planning authorities, archaeological consultancies, field units, specialists and archivists. Alternatively you can choose a placement in a non-related business or industry, exploring different career options and enhancing your employability by drawing on the many non-vocational, transferable skills you obtain from an Archaeology degree.

Recent examples include:

  • Traineeship with Oxford Archaeology
  • Traineeship at the Field School
  • Archaeological science placement at QUEST, the University of Reading’s scientific consultancy company
  • Volunteering at the Ure Museum, Cole Museum of Zoology and the Museum of English Rural Life
  • Human remains placement
  • Mediterranean Palaeoclimate Project placement
  • Hominin Skeletal Morphology placement
  • Archaeological Graphics placement
  • Lithics Reference Collection placement
  • “Developing Experimental Archaeology for Research and Training” placement
  • “The Ecology of Crusading: Isotope Analysis and Faunal Remains” placement
  • Summer Enterprise Experience and Discovery internship scheme

Our department has a dedicated member of staff in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Students opting to undertake a standard three-year degree course will also have the opportunity to take a fully-credited placement or to spend a single term at one of our partner Universities abroad. Current options include the Universities of Malta, Aarhus (Denmark), Torún (Poland) and the University of Florida in Gainesville (U.S.A.).

Accreditation

Our BA Archaeology and BSc Archaeological Science courses are accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and are among the first recognised for providing key skills relevant to careers in the historic environment. Student membership of CIfA is offered to all students enrolled on these courses, who then have access to CIfA's e-learning modules and specialist professional networks, which also provides details of available jobs in the profession. CIfA membership is a desirable asset for many jobs in the heritage sector.

 

CIfA accreditation logo

Entry requirements A Level BBB | IB 30 pts overall

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we will guarantee you a place if you achieve one grade lower than the published offer.

Typical offer

BBB including one Science at grade B.

Acceptable subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Applied Science, Environmental Studies and Geology.

OR

to qualify for an Academic Excellence Scheme offer:

  • GCSE minimum requirement: three A* and three A
  • Example profile: A*A*A*AAABBBBC  

International Baccalaureate

30 points including 5 in Science at higher level

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

Core modules include:

  • Forensic anthropology and the archaeology of death
  • Archaeology today: methods and practice
  • Revolutions in human behaviour: 4 million years BC to the present
  • Introduction to Quaternary Science

Optional modules include:

  • Ancient empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt and Rome
  • Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology
  • Plant diversity, structure and utilisation
  • Economy, politics and culture in the Roman world
  • Chemistry of the Earth and environment
  • Biogeography and ecology
  • Our dynamic Earth
  • Soils in the environment
  • Geomorphology
  • Museum history, policy and ethics
  • Presenting the past

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

For more information about this course, visit the Department of Archaeology's website.

Core modules include:

  • Professional practice
  • Archaeology fieldschool single honours
  • Archaeological Science
  • Archaeologies: past, present and future

    Optional modules include:

    • Ice and Fire: The European palaeolithic
    • Medieval Europe: power, religion and death
    • Rome's Mediterranean empire
    • Quaternary global climate change
    • Curatorship and collections management
    • Museum learning and engagement
    • Bioarchaeology
    • Forensic archaeology and crime scene analysis
    • Artefacts in archaeology
    • Summer placement
    • Summer micro-placement
    • Late Quaternary environmental change and human activities

    Please note that all modules are subject to change.

    For more information about this course, visit the Department of Archaeology's website.

    Professional placement

    Core modules include:

    • Dissertation

    Optional modules include:

    • Human activities in settlements and landscapes
    • Biological anthropology
    • Coastal and maritime archaeology
    • Tropical rainforests, climate and lost civilisations
    • The archaeology of crusading
    • The Neanderthals
    • Emergence of civilisation in Mesopotamia
    • City of Rome
    • Vikings in the west
    • Summer placement
    • Hidden heritage: investigating and interpreting historic buildings and landscapes

    Please note that all modules are subject to change.

    For more information about this course, visit the Department of Archaeology's website.

    Fees

    New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year

    New international students: £20,830 per year

    *UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

    UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

    EU student fees

    With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government's guidance for EU students.

    Additional costs

    Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

    Placement Year fees

    If you spend a full year on placement – including professional and research placements and industrial experience – you’ll pay a discounted tuition fee for that year.

    For UK/Republic of Ireland students, the discounted fee is subject to parliamentary approval and is currently capped at £1,385.

    For International students, the discount is 15% of your normal tuition fee.

    For more information, please contact placements@reading.ac.uk.

    Financial support for your studies

    You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

    * UK and EU Fee Changes

    Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.

    The tuition fee will remain £9,000 per year for the full duration of this course if you start in the 2016/17 academic year or have accepted an offer but deferred your entry until the 2017/18 academic year. This is unlike other institutions who are planning to raise fees midway through courses.

    For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.

    Additional costs

    These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

    Financial support for your studies

    You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

    Careers

    Our curriculum has been designed to help you develop the attitudes and aptitudes that are valued by employers.

    There has been a growing demand for archaeologists due to a recent surge in UK infrastructure projects, such as High Speed Two (HS2). As a result, it is estimate that England's commercial archaeology workforce of 3,000 workers will need to grow by 25% by 2022 (Historic England 2016 report: National Infrastructure Development and Capacity 2015-33).

    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 – 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.

    Pursue your passion with Archaeology at Reading

    Contextual offers


    We make contextual offers for all our courses.

    Take the next step


    How to apply

    Come to an Open Day

    Get a prospectus

    Ask us a question

    Chat to our students

    Related Courses

    • BSc Archaeological Science F420
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    • BSc Archaeological Science with Study Year Abroad F422
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    • BSc Archaeological Science with Placement and Study Abroad F423
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    • BA Archaeology V400
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    View all Archaeology degree courses at University of Reading courses
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    • Healthcare
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    Subjects A-B

    • Agriculture
    • Ancient History
    • Animal Science
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Architectural Engineering
    • Architecture
    • Art
    • Biological Sciences
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Biomedical Sciences
    • Building and Surveying
    • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

    Subjects C-E

    • Chemistry
    • Classics and Classical Studies
    • Climate Science
    • Computer Science
    • Construction Management
    • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
    • Creative Writing
    • Drama
    • Ecology
    • Economics
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • English Language and Applied Linguistics
    • English Literature
    • Environment

    Subjects F-G

    • Film & Television
    • Food and Nutritional Sciences
    • Foundation programmes
    • French
    • Geography
    • German
    • Graphic Communication and Design

    Subjects H-M

    • Healthcare
    • History
    • International Development
    • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
    • International Relations
    • Italian
    • Languages and Cultures
    • Law
    • Linguistics
    • Marketing
    • Mathematics
    • Medical Sciences
    • Meteorology and Climate
    • Museum Studies

    Subjects N-T

    • Nutrition
    • Pharmacology
    • Pharmacy
    • Philosophy
    • Physician Associate Studies
    • Politics and International Relations
    • Psychology
    • Real Estate and Planning
    • Spanish
    • Speech and Language Therapy
    • Surveying and Construction
    • Teaching
    • Theatre

    Subjects U-Z

    • Wildlife Conservation
    • Zoology

    Subjects A-C

    • Agriculture
    • Ancient History
    • Animal Sciences
    • Archaeology
    • Architecture
    • Art
    • Biological Sciences
    • Biomedical Sciences
    • Business (Post-Experience)
    • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
    • Chemistry
    • Classics and Ancient History
    • Climate Science
    • Computer Science
    • Construction Management and Engineering
    • Consumer Behaviour
    • Creative Enterprise

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    • Data Science
    • Economics
    • Education
    • Energy and Environmental Engineering
    • Engineering
    • English Language and Applied Linguistics
    • English Literature
    • Environmental Science
    • Film, Theatre and Television
    • Finance
    • Food and Nutritional Sciences
    • Geography and Environmental Science
    • Graphic Design

    Subjects H-P

    • Healthcare
    • History
    • Information Management and Digital Business
    • Information Technology
    • International Development and Applied Economics
    • Languages and Cultures
    • Law
    • Linguistics
    • Management
    • Medieval History
    • Meteorology and Climate
    • Microbiology
    • Nutritional Sciences
    • Pharmacy
    • Philosophy
    • Physician Associate
    • Politics and International Relations
    • Project Management
    • Psychology
    • Public Policy

    Subjects Q-Z

    • Real Estate and Planning
    • Social Policy
    • Speech and Language Therapy
    • Strategic Studies
    • Teaching
    • Theatre
    • Typography and Graphic Communication
    • War and Peace Studies
    • Zoology

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