Archaeology and Heritage Studies BA (Hons)

This hands-on course introduces you to the artefacts, monuments, people and landscapes that represent the remains of past cultures.

What do archaeologists study and how do they arrive at interpretations? How has Britain’s past been ‘discovered’, presented and interpreted? What can we learn about the past and the present through the study of archaeology and heritage? Through this exciting course, you will find the answers to these kinds of questions.

The wide-ranging and diverse range of modules on offer allows you to gain a broad understanding, or alternatively specialise in a particular area of interest. Modules include World Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations, the Archaeology of Death and Burial, Architecture and the Built Heritage, Forensic Archaeology and the Archaeological Excavation. You can also investigate how views of our heritage shape developments in the present by studying aspects of the planning process and our approach to conservation issues.

Local and residential fieldwork and practical activities are essential to this course and there are also opportunities to undertake work placements and study abroad for a semester. Staff have links with professionals working in the archaeology and heritage sectors and the course also has links to business and art, allowing you to acquire key skills in business management and information design, providing a foundation for future employment within the heritage industry.

You will have also access to an impressive range of equipment and resources which includes survey grade GPS, geophysics, well-appointed laboratories and a brand new digital mapping and survey suite.

Download the Archaeology Applicant Newsletter

The varied assessment strategy will provide you not only with a range of subject specific skills but also transferable skills that include team and independent working, problem solving and decision making, communication and organisational skills.

Small class sizes and friendly, research active staff contributes to the supportive learning environment you will enjoy when you study Archaeology and Heritage Studies at the University of Worcester.

View the Archaeology Programmes Overview and read more about studying archaeology or read the Archaeology Newsletter.

Factfile
Employability
Course content
Student views

UCAS code

Single Honours:
Archaeology and Heritage Studies BA (Hons) - DV44 BA/AHS

Joint Honours:
Archaeology & Heritage Studies and Ecology - VD44
Archaeology & Heritage Studies and Environmental Management - VV47
Archaeology & Heritage Studies and Art & Design- WN19
Archaeology & Heritage Studies and Business Management - NN29
Archaeology & Heritage Studies and Geography - LN79
Archaeology & Heritage Studies and History - NV91

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

Entry requirements

240-280 UCAS Tariff points
Further information about the UCAS Tariff can be obtained from www.ucas.com

Course fees

The standard annual fee for full-time UK/EU students enrolling in 2013 is £8,650 per year. Part-time fees are generally charged on a pro rata basis.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Study options

It is also possible to study Archaeology and Heritage Studies as a joint degree with another subject.

The combination subjects available are: Art & Design, Business Management, Ecology, Environmental Management, Geography and History.

The University of Worcester’s degree combinations add breadth to your studies and enhance your employability. Find out more in our Joint degrees pages.

Get in touch

Admissions Office
01905 855111
admissions@worc.ac.uk

Institute of Science and the Environment Admin Office
01905 855201
ise@worc.ac.uk

Employability

This course opens up a host of exciting career paths that include commercial (field) archaeology, museums and the heritage industry, national organisations (English Heritage, National Trust), archaeological/environmental consultancies, teaching, local government and planning, environmental management and conservation.

The course also provides the ideal grounding for postgraduate study and research.

Modules

Introduction to Archaeology
Heritage Studies: A Critical Introduction
The Archaeology and Heritage of the British Landscape
Introduction to Fieldwork in Archaeology
World Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations
Protecting Heritage
Interpreting the Past
Historians and Heritage
Museums
The Study and Interpretation of Artefacts
The Archaeology of Death and Burial
Heritage Tourism and Place Promotion
Architecture and the Built Heritage
Landscape Archaeology
Environmental Archaeology
Iron Age and Roman Britain
Managing the Historic Environment
Archaeological Field Study (Excavation)
Neolithic and Bronze Age Britain
Researching Local and Community History
Forensic Archaeology
Work Placement
Extension Module
Independent Study

Elective modules

Single Honours Students: The structure of our courses allows you to tailor your studies according to your interests and strengths. You can study topics outside of your chosen course if you wish, thus giving you the opportunity to build skills that can boost your employability. You are able to choose from a number of Elective Modules in your first and second years which add breadth to your studies, make your degree distinctive and enable you to stand out from the crowd.

Visit our Elective Modules pages to find out more.

Assessment

A diverse range of learning and teaching methods are used within Archaeology and Heritage. These include lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, laboratory and computer practicals, field work and visits to archaeological sites, museums and heritage attractions. There are also opportunities to undertake residential fieldwork.

The varied assessment methods support your learning and provide you with subject specific and transferable skills. Assessment types include essays, seminar papers, source critiques, portfolios, presentations, posters, field and laboratory reports and independent research projects.

The expertise of the staff includes the prehistoric and roman periods, landscape archaeology, material culture studies, built environment conservation, geo-conservation and heritage and national identity. Students may have opportunities to participate in staff research projects through voluntary work and the “Earn as you Learn” scheme.

Shelley Rowlatt

Student, Archaeology and Heritage Studies BA (Hons)

“For me, I chose the perfect course – you get to go on multiple field trips, so you don’t have to spend 4 hours in a lecture theatre all week. The course leaders are all very hands-on too – they are free to help and provide you with feedback should you need it. It’s a friendly, close environment but with all the independence you could want.”

Academic department

Institute of Science & the Environment

“The Institute’s acclaimed research in areas such as river management, rural issues, forensic biology, nutrition and archaeology has a common thread: our belief that science should be centred around its impact on people.”
Professor John Newbury, Head of Institute