Archaeological Science with Study Year Abroad

Our BSc Archaeological Science with Study Year Abroad is one of the top scientific archaeology courses in the UK.

Study at a University ranked in the top 10 UK universities for Archaeology according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2019.

Explore our outstanding teaching collections and laboratory facilities, with dedicated spaces for the analysis of human remains, artefacts, plant pollen, and archaeological soils and sediments.

We have an outstanding track record for student satisfaction, with satisfaction scores of 90-100% for the quality of our courses in the National Student Survey, 2010-2019.

BSc Archaeological Science differs from our BA Archaeology course as it concentrates much more on the scientific and forensic aspects of archaeology. On this course, you will gain a wide range of skills to assist you in the study of human bones (including osteology and palaeopathology), enabling you to learn more about past societies, diets and diseases.

You will have the opportunity to participate in a dedicated Field School during your course, providing you with direct hands-on experience in all aspects of an archaeological excavation. Put your skills into practice, including excavation, surveying, GIS (geographical information systems) mapping, planning, and finds processing, and contribute to archaeological knowledge through our discoveries.

The course also has a strong focus on environmental archaeology and geoarchaeology, through which you will make fascinating discoveries about ancient human societies, as well as the evolution of landscapes and climate change.

This diverse approach presents you with many areas to explore and specialise in, providing you with plenty of options for your final-year dissertation.

**Year abroad**

This four-year degree course includes a year's study abroad at a university abroad in your third year, giving you the opportunity to develop valuable professional and international experience.

**Accreditation**

Our BA Archaeology and BSc Archaeological Science courses are accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and are among the first recognised for providing key skills relevant to careers in the historic environment. CIfA membership is a desirable asset for many jobs in the heritage sector.

**Careers**

Our curriculum is designed to help you develop the attitudes and aptitudes that are valued by employers.

There has been a growing demand for archaeologists due to a recent surge in UK infrastructure projects, such as High Speed Two (HS2). As a result, it is estimated that England's commercial archaeology workforce of 3,000 workers will need to grow by 25% by 2022 (Historic England 2016 report: National Infrastructure Development and Capacity 2015-33).

You will gain a broad range of subject-specific and transferable skills spanning the humanities and sciences. The majority of employers consider your attitude and abilities to be even more important than the subject you choose to study (CBI Skills Survey 2014). Our curriculum is designed with this in mind, giving you not just knowledge in subjects you are passionate about, but also the qualities that employers really care about – qualities that are transferable to a diverse range of careers.

As a world-class department with internationally-renowned teaching staff, a degree in Archaeology at the University of Reading is the best possible foundation to begin your career in commercial archaeology, planning, heritage management and archaeological research, as well as disciplines such as teaching, business and marketing.

Our recent graduates are represented among the staff of major employers such as Oxford Archaeology, Wessex Archaeology, the Museum of London Archaeology and the Natural History Museum. Some of our graduates have progressed into roles in the police force and in teaching at both primary and secondary levels. Each year a number of graduates pursue further, higher study following graduation.