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2023/24
2024/25

BA Archaeology and Anthropology with Study Year Abroad

  • UCAS code
    VL48
  • A level offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years
  • Year of entry
    2024/25
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

Explore humanity from its earliest origins to the cultures and societies of today – and gain valuable international experience – with our BA Archaeology and Anthropology with Study Year Abroad degree.

Choose the University of Reading

  • Top 100 in the world for Archaeology (QS World Rankings by Subject 2023)
  • Ranked 1st in the UK for research quality and research outputs in Archaeology (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of REF 2021)
  • The University of Reading scored 2nd best for teaching quality in Archaeology (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
  • 100% of students in the Department of Archaeology said our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2023)
  • Overall, 97% of graduates from Archaeology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21; includes all Archaeology responders)

Explore the archaeological past and cultures of today

Our BA Archaeology and Anthropology course allows you to combine two fascinating and related disciplines. Archaeology examines the material evidence from our past and present, while anthropology focuses on human development and contemporary cultures.

Studying these disciplines together will provide you with insight into what it means to be human. This will enable you to address issues that are critical to our shared global future, including:

  • the relationship between humans and environmental change
  • inequality, migration and identity
  • population growth and development
  • human diets and health
  • politics, economics and sustainability.

By examining human development, behaviour and different cultures, you’ll better understand the roots of these issues. You’ll learn how other societies have tackled comparable problems and how contemporary societies are addressing them now.

Using methodological approaches from the sciences, social sciences and humanities, you’ll explore the diversity of human experience. You will learn about the biological evolution of our earliest ancestors, the pre-historical and historical development of different cultures, and present-day ways of life and social issues.

We’ll support you to develop a broad range of subject-specific and transferable skills that span the humanities and sciences. Your learning can include:

  • the investigation of artefacts recovered through excavations and standing monuments
  • how material, biological, and ethnographic evidence can be used to understand past and contemporary cultures and societies
  • handling human remains to learn about burial archaeology and biological anthropology
  • examining how ideas of gender vary between different times and societies today
  • how climate and environmental change has impacted lives past and present.

Study Abroad

A key component of this course is a fourth year that enables you to further your studies at one of our partner universities overseas. Studying abroad is an opportunity to increase your cultural awareness and explore a new location.

We have a number of partner universities in Europe – including Aarhus University (Denmark), Uppsala University (Sweden), Eberhard Karls University (Germany), and the University of Malta. We also have partners further afield, such as City University (Hong Kong) and La Trobe University (Australia). Of particular interest to archaeology and anthropology students is the opportunity to study the local archaeology and ethnography of southern Florida through our link with the University of Florida.

All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs. Visit our Study Abroad website for more information, and to view the full list of current partner institutions.

Further information about studying abroad is available on our Important Information page.


A supportive, collaborative learning environment

Join the University of Reading’s Department of Archaeology, a community of passionate and inquisitive staff, students and alumni.

We're an international, research-intensive department with expertise that spans the sciences, humanities and social sciences. You’ll learn about global issues, enhanced by the latest developments and thinking within social and scientific archaeology.

You'll also have the chance to join RUined, a student-run society for those passionate about archaeology. RUined is a great way to meet people across Reading, build your network, and participate in events like club nights, quizzes, alcohol-free socials, and the annual summer and winter formals.

Field School and field trips

You will have the opportunity to put your learning into practice through your time with the Archaeology Field School. There, you will gain hands-on experience in all aspects of an archaeological excavation, including:

  • excavation
  • surveying
  • geophysics
  • mapping
  • planning
  • finds processing
  • studying ancient plant and animal remains.

Beyond the Field School, many of our modules include field trips to sites and museums around England. You’ll be encouraged to get involved with research excavations in the UK and Europe, spanning prehistoric monuments, Roman cities, and medieval castles.

Hands-on learning

Archaeology is not just about digging – it's an academic subject that will teach you valuable theoretical and practical skills. You’ll also have the opportunity to use specialist equipment and GIS (geographical information systems), work in laboratories, and access the University’s three on-campus museums.

Flexible study options

Tailor your degree to your interests with our range of optional modules and flexible pathway structure. For example, you can pursue pathways in:

  • bioarchaeology
  • humanities-based archaeology
  • archaeological science.

Skills for life

Throughout your degree, you’ll gain a broad range of skills and experiences that are highly regarded by employers, including:

  • the ability to analyse and understand complex information
  • the ability to research and present findings in a coherent manner
  • empathy with others from diverse cultures, backgrounds and beliefs.

All our degree programmes include professional development training and further opportunities, supported by the University's dedicated Careers Service.

Professional placements

Combine your studies with short term placement opportunities, or take a year long placement with our four-year BA Archaeology and Anthropology with Professional Placement course.

Alternatively, you can study this course over three years by choosing our BA Archaeology and Anthropology degree.


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

New international students: £27,650

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.

Year abroad fees

If you spend a full year abroad, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact studyabroad@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.

Archaeology careers

Archaeology is more than studying material culture and the past: it’s a discipline that actively prepares you for the job market. You’ll develop an impressive range of practical and academic skills, whether you want to move into the archaeology or heritage sectors or enter a wide range of other industries and careers.

Currently, there is a rising demand for archaeologists in the UK. More than 40 major infrastructure projects are planned over the next 17 years, and archaeologists are required for exploratory excavations and analysis before construction begins. In 2021 David Connolly, Director of British Archaeological Jobs and Resources, said: "For all the infrastructure projects the government is pushing forward... the country is anywhere from 500 to 1,000 archaeologists short."

Previous graduates have gone on to work within the archaeological and heritage sector for companies such as:

  • Museum of London Archaeology
  • Thames Valley Archaeological Services
  • Cambridge Archaeological Unit
  • Victoria and Albert Museum
  • Colchester Museum
  • Portable Antiquities Scheme

Read how Rizwan Ahmad has used the skills he developed during his Archaeology degree to pursue a career in the heritage sector.

Our graduates have also found careers with a diverse range of employers outside the heritage sector, including:

  • NHS
  • Department for Culture, Digital, Media and Sport
  • Metropolitan Police
  • The Daily Telegraph
  • Mott MacDonald (engineering consultancy)
  • Hargreaves Lansdown (financial consultancy)
  • Humanity First (charity)

Many graduates from the Department of Archaeology have used their expertise across the humanities and sciences to enter careers such as teaching, policing, industry and commerce.

Anthropology careers

Anthropology can be a path into the civil service, international development (with governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations), agriculture, social research, the arts, and social policy.

As an anthropology graduate, your communication and analytical skills could be employed in a variety of sectors, including:

  • education
  • the civil service and local government
  • not-for-profit
  • arts and development charities
  • marketing and advertising
  • law
  • PR and the media.

Other skills you’ve gained, such as data handling and attention to detail, are valued in many sectors – including publishing, financial services and forensic science.