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BA Archaeology and History with Study Year Abroad

  • UCAS code
    VV12
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

Explore the richness of our shared human past and gain valuable international experience with our BA Archaeology and History with Study Year Abroad degree.

At the University of Reading, you will join a community of passionate and curious staff and students from both the Department of History and the Department of Archaeology which 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 the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021). Archaeology also achieved the highest score for overall student satisfaction in the UK in 2022 (National Student Survey 2022).

You’ll gain an awareness of the development of differing values, systems and societies, working to address issues critical to our shared global future – including human diets and health, environmental change, inequality, migration and identity.

In your archaeological studies, you’ll study material remains to uncover our human past, from as early as the first hominins millions of years ago. Your historical studies will then take you on a journey through Britain, Europe, Africa, America, the Middle East and South Asia, spanning the past thousand years. You’ll interrogate historical records and explore visual and material culture through texts, paintings, photographs, films and oral sources.

Through the lens of these two complementary subjects, you’ll gain a richer, more holistic understanding of our shared human past, balancing your critical evaluation of historical sources against the physical evidence of lived experience provided by archaeological finds.

Study Year Abroad

This four-year degree features an integrated year of study at a partner university abroad in your third year. This is an excellent opportunity to further enhance your skills and broaden your experience. Both Departments have active links with approved partner universities in Europe, Australia, Japan and the US, including:

  • Aarhus University in Denmark 
  • the University of Florida 
  • the University of Malta 
  • the University of Torun in Poland.

All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs. Many BA Archaeology and History students choose to apply to visit Torun, and study medieval Polish archaeology.


What you will study

You'll explore a broad range of subjects and approaches, getting insights into the richness and variety of past human experience. Your studies will span through a variety of topics and modules, including:

  • the investigation of both artefacts recovered through excavation and standing monuments
  • the rise of organised religion through to the Crusades
  • handling remains to learn about burial archaeology
  • examining how ideas of gender are reflected and imposed through the material world.

You’ll be presented with new and exciting fields of history you may not have considered before, including people, power and revolution, and culture, art and ideas.

  • Read about Dr Jacqui Turner’s research into the history of female pioneers in British politics.
  • Discover Dr Richard Blakemore’s module on piracy during the rise of British Empire.
  • Read about Professor Hella Eckardt and her research on migration and cultural integration in Britain.

Your studies will enable you to develop critical and analytical skills, honing your ability to objectively evaluate situations within their wider context and reach judgements based on the facts. You will be able to build, reason and evidence compelling arguments and apply your skills at comprehending and distilling your research to communicate effectively. These broad, transferable skills will stand you in good stead during your studies and after graduation when you enter the working world.

Fieldwork and study trips

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to participate in our Archaeology Field School. This is an opportunity to gain direct, hands-on experience in all aspects of an archaeological excavation, contribute to new archaeological knowledge through discovery, and put a variety of skills into practice, such as:

  • excavation
  • surveying
  • GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping
  • planning
  • finds processing.

Additionally, the Department of History offers a week-long European Study Trip Abroad module, taking an in-depth look at one of our academics’ research projects. Past locations have included Berlin, Rome and Paris.

  • Read about alumna Marcie Week’s experience in the programme and her participation in the Field School.

Enhance your employability through placements

You will have the opportunity to enhance your employability by applying for placements. There are several opportunities for you to choose from, such as: working directly on a current project within the Department or one of our three on-site museums; undertaking a summer placement; or even taking a full year of professional experience between your second and final years of study.

Additionally, you could choose one of the optional modules offering placement experiences. These are:

  • Going Public, which will enable you to work on a project with an external body, such as a museum or heritage organisation, presenting history to the wider public.
  • Discovering Archives and Collections, which offers a ten-day placement, allowing you to explore a career in historical research, or in the archive and heritage sectors.

Overview

Explore the richness of our shared human past and gain valuable international experience with our BA Archaeology and History with Study Year Abroad degree.

At the University of Reading, you will join a community of passionate and curious staff and students from both the Department of History and the Department of Archaeology which 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 the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021). Archaeology also achieved the highest score for overall student satisfaction in the UK in 2022 (National Student Survey 2022).

You’ll gain an awareness of the development of differing values, systems and societies, working to address issues critical to our shared global future – including human diets and health, environmental change, inequality, migration and identity.

In your archaeological studies, you’ll study material remains to uncover our human past, from as early as the first hominins millions of years ago. Your historical studies will then take you on a journey through Britain, Europe, Africa, America, the Middle East and South Asia, spanning the past thousand years. You’ll interrogate historical records and explore visual and material culture through texts, paintings, photographs, films and oral sources.

Through the lens of these two complementary subjects, you’ll gain a richer, more holistic understanding of our shared human past, balancing your critical evaluation of historical sources against the physical evidence of lived experience provided by archaeological finds.

Study Year Abroad

This four-year degree features an integrated year of study at a partner university abroad in your third year. This is an excellent opportunity to further enhance your skills and broaden your experience. Both Departments have active links with approved partner universities in Europe, Australia, Japan and the US, including:

  • Aarhus University in Denmark 
  • the University of Florida 
  • the University of Malta 
  • the University of Torun in Poland.

All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs. Many BA Archaeology and History students choose to apply to visit Torun, and study medieval Polish archaeology.


Learning

What you will study

You'll explore a broad range of subjects and approaches, getting insights into the richness and variety of past human experience. Your studies will span through a variety of topics and modules, including:

  • the investigation of both artefacts recovered through excavation and standing monuments
  • the rise of organised religion through to the Crusades
  • handling remains to learn about burial archaeology
  • examining how ideas of gender are reflected and imposed through the material world.

You’ll be presented with new and exciting fields of history you may not have considered before, including people, power and revolution, and culture, art and ideas.

  • Read about Dr Jacqui Turner’s research into the history of female pioneers in British politics.
  • Discover Dr Richard Blakemore’s module on piracy during the rise of British Empire.
  • Read about Professor Hella Eckardt and her research on migration and cultural integration in Britain.

Your studies will enable you to develop critical and analytical skills, honing your ability to objectively evaluate situations within their wider context and reach judgements based on the facts. You will be able to build, reason and evidence compelling arguments and apply your skills at comprehending and distilling your research to communicate effectively. These broad, transferable skills will stand you in good stead during your studies and after graduation when you enter the working world.

Fieldwork and study trips

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to participate in our Archaeology Field School. This is an opportunity to gain direct, hands-on experience in all aspects of an archaeological excavation, contribute to new archaeological knowledge through discovery, and put a variety of skills into practice, such as:

  • excavation
  • surveying
  • GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping
  • planning
  • finds processing.

Additionally, the Department of History offers a week-long European Study Trip Abroad module, taking an in-depth look at one of our academics’ research projects. Past locations have included Berlin, Rome and Paris.

  • Read about alumna Marcie Week’s experience in the programme and her participation in the Field School.

Enhance your employability through placements

You will have the opportunity to enhance your employability by applying for placements. There are several opportunities for you to choose from, such as: working directly on a current project within the Department or one of our three on-site museums; undertaking a summer placement; or even taking a full year of professional experience between your second and final years of study.

Additionally, you could choose one of the optional modules offering placement experiences. These are:

  • Going Public, which will enable you to work on a project with an external body, such as a museum or heritage organisation, presenting history to the wider public.
  • Discovering Archives and Collections, which offers a ten-day placement, allowing you to explore a career in historical research, or in the archive and heritage sectors.

Entry requirements A Level BBB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

BBB, including a grade B in History or a humanities-based essay subject

Humanities-based essay subjects include: Classical Civilisation, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies.

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall, including 5 in History or a humanities-based essay subject at higher level.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM (modules taken must be comparable to A level subjects specified above)

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

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

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day
  • Archaeology Today: Methods and Practice
  • Perspectives in History
  • Making History

Optional modules:

  • Rape in the United States: from Colonisation to Civil Rights
  • Warfare in Early Modern Europe, c. 1500-1715
  • Doomsday Dystopias: Nuclear Disaster in the Cold War Imagination 
  • US Environmental Diplomacy from Nixon to Obama
  • Arriving in Britain: a History of Immigration, 1685-2004 
  • After Malthus: Sex, Society, Sustainability and the Politics of Population in the Long Nineteenth Century
  • Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death
  • Contemporary World Cultures: an Introduction to Social Anthropology
  • Presenting the Past: An Introduction to Museum Studies
  • Optional Language Modules

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change. 

Optional modules:

  • Going Public: Presenting the Past, Planning the Future
  • People, Power and Revolution: Political Culture in Seventeenth-century England
  • Hollywood Histories: Film and the Past
  • Europe in the Twentieth Century
  • Medieval Medicine 
  • ‘The Brightest Jewel in the British Crown’: The Making of Modern South Asia, 1757-1947
  • Reform and Revolt in the Modern Middle East: Egypt from Ataturk to the ‘Arab Spring’
  • The Crusades, 1095-1291
  • Encountering the Atlantic World, 1450-1850 
  • Kingship and Crisis in England, c.1154–1330
  • Women and Medieval History
  • Black Britain: Race and Migration in Post-war Britain
  • Vampires and Victorians: Dracula and the Modern World
  • The Colonial Experience: Africa, 1879 to 1980
  • Noise Annoys: British Youth Culture, Popular Music and Social Change, 1950s-90s 
  • My Career: Wider Horizons
  • Archaeology and Heritage: Past, Present and Future
  • Ancient Objects: Materials and Meanings 
  • Prehistoric Europe: the First Million Years
  • Archaeology Field School and Professional Practice
  • Rome's Mediterranean Empire 
  • Medieval Europe: Power, Religion and Death
  • Bioarchaeology
  • Changing the Face of the Earth: Past, Present and Future Sustainability
  • Summer Placement
  • Museum Learning and Engagement
  • Curatorship and Collections Management
  • Optional Languages Modules

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Study Abroad in Archaeology

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change. 

Optional modules:

  • Becoming a Revolutionary: the Old Regime and the French Revolution, 1787-1794
  • Heretics and Popes: Heresy and Persecution in the Medieval World
  • Gender in Africa
  • Sexual Politics: Gender, Sex, and Feminism in Britain after 1918
  • Slavery in America
  • Anarchy in the UK: Punk, Politics and Youth Culture in Britain, 1976-84
  • The American Civil War 
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Empire, Slavery, and Society, 1550-1750
  • Utopia: The Quest for a Perfect World
  • Medieval Magic and the Origins of the Witch-Craze
  • 'Battleaxes and Benchwarmers': Early Female MPs 1919-1931
  • Modern Science and the Imperial World, 1750-2000
  • Axis at War: Life and Death in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, 1936-45 
  • The United States and the Cold War
  • Witches, Heretics and Social Outcasts: Europe and its Outsiders c.1250-1550
  • From Darwin to Death Camps? Evolution and Eugenics in European Society, 1859-1945
  • Dissertation
  • The Anthropology of Heritage & Cultural Property
  • The Archaeology of the City of Rome
  • Biological Anthropology
  • Post-excavation: Assessment, Analysis and Publication in the Profession
  • Emergence of Civilisation in Mesopotamia
  • The Archaeology and Anthropology of Hunter-gatherers
  • The Archaeology and Anthropology of Food
  • The Archaeology of Crusading
  • Dissertation in History
  • Preparing for Your Dissertation
  • Optional Language Modules

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

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

New international students: £22,350

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.

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.

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.

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.

Careers

Your BA Archaeology and History with Professional Placement degree will equip you with a broad range of subject-specific and transferable skills, spanning the humanities and sciences. As well as writing, communicating, presenting, problem-solving, research and analytical skills, you’ll become adept at formulating and articulating fact-based arguments, and the ability to empathise with others from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs.

This will enable you to seek employment in different sectors, including:

  • archaeology, culture and heritage
  • education sectors
  • media and publishing
  • information services
  • business, consulting and management
  • marketing, advertising, and PR
  • public sector (from formulating policies in central government to working with charities or for the intelligence services)
  • insurance
  • law.

Previous graduates have gone on to work with organisations including:

  • Aether
  • DroneWorks
  • Museum of London Archaeology
  • Google
  • Merlin Entertainments
  • Jigsaw School
  • Coca-Cola European Partners
  • the British Army
  • BBC News
  • KPMG
  • Price Forbes & Partners
  • Department for Education
  • Deloitte
  • the National Trust
  • NHS.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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  • Archaeology
  • History

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