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2023/24
2024/25

BA Museum Studies and Archaeology with Study Year Abroad

  • UCAS code
    PV16
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • 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 experience study and life in a different country – with our BA Museum Studies and Archaeology with Study Year Abroad degree. 

 

At the University of Reading, you’ll 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. You’ll also gain practical, hands-on experience at the University’s three on-site museums – including the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology – and special collections. Alongside this, your studies will explore our human past through material remains, spanning as far back as the first hominins millions of years ago. This four-year course includes an integrated year spent studying at a university overseas.

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.

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.

Study Year Abroad

This four-year course features a full year of study, during your third year. Studying abroad is an opportunity to increase your cultural awareness and explore a new location. You may choose to study at one of our partner universities in Europe and the US:

  • 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. Visit our Study Abroad website for more information.

What you will study

Your studies will span through 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.

Placements

You'll be able to enhance your employability by applying for placements. You will gain professional experience through opportunities within the Department’s own research projects or with our three on-site museums, as well as build your network with a summer placement.

Alternatively, you could choose the four-year version of this degree featuring a year-long professional placement during your third year.

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.

As a BA Museum Studies and Archaeology with Study Year Abroad 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 give you skills in analysis, problem-solving, working in teams and fieldwork.

This broad range of skills spanning the humanities and sciences will give you a head-start when entering the professional world, whether you want a career into the archaeology and heritage sectors or choose 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 and the 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.