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BA Museum Studies and Archaeology with Professional Placement

  • UCAS code
    PV15
  • 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

Combine the study of museology with the excitement of archaeological discovery – and put skills into practice with an integrated placement year – with our BA Museum Studies and Archaeology with Professional Placement degree.

Take your first steps towards a rewarding career in heritage – learning the core skills of curatorship, such as researching, analysing, cataloguing, interpreting and displaying museum objects, historic buildings and landscapes – at the University of Reading. This four-year course includes an integrated placement year between your second and final years of study.

Your studies will provide you with opportunities to gain practical, hands-on experience at our three on-site museums – including the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology – and special collections. Alongside this, you'll explore our human past through material remains, spanning as far back as the first hominins millions of years ago.

Additionally, you will benefit from the hands-on expertise of our Museum Studies’ staff. Our lecturers are all practising professionals, including curators, conservators and archivists, and use a combination of problem-solving and enquiry-based learning techniques in their teaching. You will be given the opportunity to conduct your own research throughout the course, and in your final year you will design, create and evaluate your own exhibition.

You’ll join a friendly, inclusive community, where staff are passionate about supporting you to succeed. Our Department of Archaeology has an outstanding track record for student satisfaction, with scores consistently between 90-100% for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2010-2022, with Archaeology achieving the highest score for overall student satisfaction in the UK in 2022. 

Professional placement

This four-year course features a year-long professional placement between your second and final years of study. It’s an opportunity to enhance your work-related skills, develop a network of contacts, and 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
  • 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.

As a placement year student, you are responsible for finding your placement. We have a dedicated member of staff who will provide you with advice and support throughout the process.

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

 

What you will study

Your studies will span a variety of topics and modules, including:

  • investigating artefacts recovered both through excavation and standing monuments
  • handling human remains to learn about burial archaeology
  • examining how ideas of gender are reflected and imposed through the material world
  • discovering how environmental change has impacted on lives past and present
  • critically evaluating the role of museums as a place of learning and engagement
  • communicating to an audience through the use of artefacts
  • examining the theories behind museums and their role in society.

Additionally, you'll be encouraged to research the environment that artefacts are displayed in, how they are catalogued, and the meanings that they hold for different audiences. You will learn how to design, create and evaluate your own exhibitions, and gain practical experience in activities such as digitising collections, cataloguing and archiving.

Fieldwork experience

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.

You will also be encouraged you to get involved with archaeological excavations in the UK and Europe, such as prehistoric monuments, Roman cities and medieval castles.

Study abroad

Broaden your horizons and experience study and life in a different country by spending one term abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe and the US. These may include:

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

Alternatively, you could choose the four-year version of this degree featuring a full year of study abroad during your third year.

Overview

Combine the study of museology with the excitement of archaeological discovery – and put skills into practice with an integrated placement year – with our BA Museum Studies and Archaeology with Professional Placement degree.

Take your first steps towards a rewarding career in heritage – learning the core skills of curatorship, such as researching, analysing, cataloguing, interpreting and displaying museum objects, historic buildings and landscapes – at the University of Reading. This four-year course includes an integrated placement year between your second and final years of study.

Your studies will provide you with opportunities to gain practical, hands-on experience at our three on-site museums – including the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology – and special collections. Alongside this, you'll explore our human past through material remains, spanning as far back as the first hominins millions of years ago.

Additionally, you will benefit from the hands-on expertise of our Museum Studies’ staff. Our lecturers are all practising professionals, including curators, conservators and archivists, and use a combination of problem-solving and enquiry-based learning techniques in their teaching. You will be given the opportunity to conduct your own research throughout the course, and in your final year you will design, create and evaluate your own exhibition.

You’ll join a friendly, inclusive community, where staff are passionate about supporting you to succeed. Our Department of Archaeology has an outstanding track record for student satisfaction, with scores consistently between 90-100% for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2010-2022, with Archaeology achieving the highest score for overall student satisfaction in the UK in 2022. 

Professional placement

This four-year course features a year-long professional placement between your second and final years of study. It’s an opportunity to enhance your work-related skills, develop a network of contacts, and 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
  • 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.

As a placement year student, you are responsible for finding your placement. We have a dedicated member of staff who will provide you with advice and support throughout the process.

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

 

Learning

What you will study

Your studies will span a variety of topics and modules, including:

  • investigating artefacts recovered both through excavation and standing monuments
  • handling human remains to learn about burial archaeology
  • examining how ideas of gender are reflected and imposed through the material world
  • discovering how environmental change has impacted on lives past and present
  • critically evaluating the role of museums as a place of learning and engagement
  • communicating to an audience through the use of artefacts
  • examining the theories behind museums and their role in society.

Additionally, you'll be encouraged to research the environment that artefacts are displayed in, how they are catalogued, and the meanings that they hold for different audiences. You will learn how to design, create and evaluate your own exhibitions, and gain practical experience in activities such as digitising collections, cataloguing and archiving.

Fieldwork experience

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.

You will also be encouraged you to get involved with archaeological excavations in the UK and Europe, such as prehistoric monuments, Roman cities and medieval castles.

Study abroad

Broaden your horizons and experience study and life in a different country by spending one term abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe and the US. These may include:

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

Alternatively, you could choose the four-year version of this degree featuring a full year of study abroad during your third year.

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

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

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.

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
  • Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome
  • Presenting the Past: an Introduction to Museum Studies

Optional modules:

  • Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death
  • Contemporary World Cultures: an Introduction to Social Anthropology
  • 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.

Compulsory modules:

  • Archaeology and Heritage: Past, Present and Future
  • Ancient Objects: Materials and Meanings 
  • Museum Learning and Engagement
  • Curatorship and Collections Management

Optional modules:

  • 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
  • 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.

Compulsory modules:

  • Professional Placement Year

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:

  • Display Design, Planning and Creation: Project Module

Optional modules:

  • 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
  • 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.

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, 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 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.

Careers

As a BA Museum Studies and Archaeology with Professional Placement graduate, you’ll develop strong, transferable skills, and gain first-hand experience in handling objects, delivering presentations and investigating other cultures in depth. Your practical experience of archaeological techniques will also equip you with analysis, problem-solving, team-working and fieldwork skills.

This broad expertise, spanning the humanities and sciences, will give you a head-start when entering the professional world – whether you're interested in a career in the archaeology and heritage sectors or decide to apply your abilities elsewhere. The job opportunities stemming from this degree include:

  • heritage management
  • commercial archaeology
  • research
  • teaching and education
  • charities and voluntary sector
  • marketing, advertising, PR and media
  • publishing
  • insurance
  • law.

The University of Reading has long-established, excellent relationships with employers within the heritage, archaeology and related sectors. Previous employers have included the:

  • Australian government
  • National Trust
  • Science Museum.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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Related Subjects


  • Archaeology
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Museum Studies

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