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Archaeology

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,B-B,B,C

Extended Project

A

For applicants taking the EPQ qualification, an A in the EPQ can be recognised to lower the entry requirements by a single grade. For example, an AAB offer would be "AAB from 3 A-levels or ABB from 3 A-levels and a grade A in the EPQ". Please note that any subject specific requirements must be met.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

You must have or be working towards: - English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Tier 4 visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

30-31

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDM-DMM

Accepted subjects: Applied Science, Computing, Humanities, or Social Science. We will consider BTECs in alternative subjects alongside other academic qualifications and any relevant work or volunteer experience.

Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in place of one A-level at the A-level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

UCAS Tariff

112-120

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Archaeological sciences

Placing the study of the human past at the centre of archaeological science enquiry, our BSc Archaeology will provide you with a solid grounding in the theory and application of scientific principles, data and techniques within archaeology, from the scale of molecules to monumental complexes.

As a BSc Archaeolgy student, you’ll develop critical, analytical and transferable skills that prepare you for professional, scientific, academic and research careers - whether in the exciting and rapidly advancing area of archaeological science or in a wide range of other fields and sectors. We have particular strengths in relation to bioarchaeology (the study of human and animal remains, ancient DNA and isotope analysis), materials science (ceramics, metals and glass), digital archaeology and field techniques.

Our programme will offer you a robust understanding of analytical techniques, delivers practical experience in their application and data processing, and the ability to design and communicate research that employs scientific analyses to address archaeological questions. We’ll enable you to follow your passions and nurture your curiosity, exploring topics that matter to you. Through a combination of science and thematic or period-based modules, you’ll be able to situate your scientific training within the archaeological contexts of your choice. You’ll develop a broad understanding of the archaeology of Britain and the Mediterranean World, coupled with the opportunity to specialise in your areas of interest.

A core component of our programme is eight weeks of professional placement, typically on an archaeological excavation, though placements are wide-ranging (e.g. laboratories, museums etc). These memorable placements take place in the summers following Year One and Year Two, in the UK and overseas, developing your skills in an authentic context. As well as practical skills, honed in the field and our excellent, purpose-built and newly refurbished lab facilities, you’ll develop key research skills through the second-year independent project. Supported by one of our expert staff, you’ll plan and undertake an archaeological research project on a topic of your choosing. The optionality and increased specialisation as you progress means you will enjoy a programme of high integrity, tailored to furnishing you with skills of value within and beyond the heritage sector.

Graduating with a broad understanding of the application of scientific data and methods, as well as first-hand experience of their practical application, your skills – including teamworking, leadership and communication – will be valued by employers. You’ll be ideally placed to progress into a range of careers, with recent graduates working in the heritage sector (e.g. for archaeological contractors, museums and heritage bodies) or diverse roles from teaching to the police and a wide range of graduate training schemes.

Distinctive Features of the Programme

Placements – home and abroad
Eight weeks of professional placement in the field or a heritage organisation, allowing you to apply and develop your scientific skills in a professional, authentic setting.

Promoting the practical
A responsive programme with a focus on practical skills and scientific enquiry that are valuable to employers both within and outside of archaeology.

Expert-led
Staff with extensive professional and laboratory experience integrating cutting edge archaeological science across academic and commercial archaeology.

Rich in resources
Materials, facilities, analytical instrumentation, equipment and library resources to undertake meaningful independent scientific research.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,000
per year
England
£9,000
per year
EU
£25,700
per year
International
£25,700
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,000
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,000
per year
Scotland
£9,000
per year
Wales
£9,000
per year

Extra funding

Cardiff University has many scholarships on offer to our prospective students. Please see our website at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/funding/scholarships for further information.

The Uni


Course location:

Main Site - Cardiff

Department:

School of History, Archaeology and Religion

Read full university profile

What students say


How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Forensic and archaeological sciences

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

98%
UK students
2%
International students
31%
Male students
69%
Female students
68%
2:1 or above
4%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
D
D

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Forensic and archaeological sciences

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£18,000
med
Average annual salary
100%
high
Employed or in further education
59%
high
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

28%
Natural and social science professionals
9%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers
7%
Public services and other associate professionals

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Forensic and archaeological sciences

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£16k

£16k

£22k

£22k

£24k

£24k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of York | York
Archaeology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 128-141
Lower entry requirements
University of York | York
Bioarchaeology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 48-128
Same University
Cardiff University | Cardiff
Medicinal Chemistry
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 128-136

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

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This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here