Archaeology and Anthropology (Full-time) (BA Hons)
This joint-honours programme offers a dynamic and engaging way to explore the human past and present, giving you the opportunity to study two fascinating disciplines that help us understand how people have lived, thought, and interacted throughout history and across different cultures.
You will be guided by experts in both fields and gain practical skills through hands-on experiences, fieldwork, and the use of modern technologies.
The degree is structured to be flexible, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests. You will choose from a variety of modules in both Archaeology and Anthropology, which means you can focus on areas that excite you the most.
Archaeology
In Archaeology, you will learn to uncover and interpret the material remains left behind by past societies, including artefacts such as pottery, tools, and bones. By studying these objects, you will piece together the stories of how ancient people lived, what their societies looked like, and how they interacted with their environments. You will also examine larger features like historic buildings, monuments, and landscapes, which tell us about human development and the changing world over time. In addition, you will explore theoretical and ethical questions about the past, such as the significance of heritage, the use of digital tools, and the ways in which new technologies allow us to analyse ancient DNA and other materials.
Anthropology
The Anthropology part of the degree takes you deeper into understanding human diversity. You will explore the cultural practices, beliefs, and ways of life of people around the world, examining how societies have evolved over time. The programme looks at contemporary global challenges, such as the effects of globalisation, and encourages you to think critically about cultural identities and human behaviour. By combining theoretical insights with real-world case studies, Anthropology gives you the tools to understand the complexities of human existence and the different ways societies shape our lives today.
By the end of the programme, you will have gained a deep understanding of human history, both from the archaeological perspective of material remains and the anthropological study of culture and society.
You will develop key skills, including analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, that are essential for success in many professional careers. The ability to understand complex debates and make clear, well-reasoned arguments will be valuable both during your studies and in your future career.
This course will equip you to work in various fields, such as museums, heritage management, research, and international development, as well as pursue further study in archaeology, anthropology, or related areas. It offers you a unique opportunity to explore the rich diversity of human life, both in the past and present, and prepare for a future that can take you in many exciting directions.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our teaching philosophy combines interactive learning with a strong focus on critical thinking, allowing students to engage with real-world issues while developing key academic skills. The Archaeology and Anthropology programme encourages exploration through both theoretical study and practical application, ensuring that you gain a deep understanding of human history and culture.
In your first year, you will gain a solid foundation in Anthropology and Archaeology. Core modules such as Exploring the Humanities, Anthropology Today, and People’s Worlds: Interaction with the Environment will introduce you to key concepts in both fields. You will also have the opportunity to explore subjects like Hieroglyphs, Death, Burial and the Afterlife, and Doing Archaeology: The Past in Practice, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests and begin applying theory to practice.
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In the second year, you will build on the knowledge gained in Year 1, with a focus on advanced archaeological methods and cultural anthropology. Modules such as The Archaeology of Early Societies and Anthropology of Globalisation will deepen your understanding of human societies and their evolution. You will also engage with topics such as material culture, ethnography, and fieldwork techniques, preparing you for independent research and field-based learning.
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In your final year, you will focus on specialised topics in both archaeology and anthropology, allowing you to research independently and refine your academic skills. Core modules such as Theories in Anthropology and The Archaeology of Modernity will challenge you to apply critical thinking to contemporary issues and developments in both fields. You will also complete an Independent Project based on your research, which will enable you to demonstrate the skills you have developed throughout the course.
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Course Page Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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Further information
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96-112 UCAS Tariff Points - e.g. A-levels: CCC-BBC, BTEC: MMM-DMM, IB: 30-32 or Professional experience
Admissions Advice and Support We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh OpportunitiesThere are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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The programme is assessed in a variety of ways. It will include several of the following type of assessment: essays of 1,000 to 4,000 words in length, document analysis, book/ journal reviews, short reports and reflective journals, time tests, field journals, posters, group and individual presentations.
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The Faculty has estimated on the assumption that students buy new copies of the books. Students may also choose to spend money on printing drafts of work.
Students may spend up to £300 per year on books and additional related materials.
Students are expected to submit 2 hard copies of their final project, the estimated cost for binding these is £20.
Optional Field trip:
The faculty works to ensure that there is a range of fieldwork and field trip options available both locally and internationally. Thus students can opt to take either more expensive or less expensive placements. The Faculty subsidises these but the cost each year is dependent on airfare, location, and currency exchange rates. Below are the upper end of expected costs based on where students have currently done placements.
Fieldwork (depending on where the student decides to do fieldwork): c. £500 - £1,500
Individual trips: c. £5 - £50 -
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Career and employment opportunities include:
- Government and commercial management
- Heritage sector
- ITC
- Local community and council work
- Museum, exhibition and archive work
- Professional field archaeology
- Research and Postgraduate opportunities
- Teaching, education officer
- Voluntary work