Archaeology
UCAS code V402
- Entry requirements
- View full requirements
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
- September 2025 September 2026
- Apply by:
- Starts on:
About this course
Scientific analyses of archaeological remains are today answering some of humankind’s most fundamental questions, from climate change and the origins of agriculture, to the health implications of our ancestors’ diets and the economy of metals in early empires.
Introduction
If you want to learn the skills required to join this vibrant area of scholarship, the Archaeology BSc will train you in scientific methods used at the forefront of many important discoveries.
Taught by world-leading researchers in materials analysis, bioarchaeology and environmental reconstruction, this degree provides you with experience of the key issues and methods in archaeological science. As with the Archaeology BA, this degree programme will also provide you with a fundamental understanding of archaeological methods and theory combined with the study of the archaeology of specific geographical areas and chronological periods.
What you'll learn
- Detailed knowledge of the practice and theory of archaeology as an approach to understanding past societies
- A practical knowledge of the techniques of archaeological excavation and recording
- Broad comparative knowledge of the archaeology of selected geographical regions and chronological periods
- Practical experience of the recovery of primary archaeological data
- Analysis and critical reflection on a range of archaeological data
- Theoretical concepts within Archaeology
- An understanding of the development of Archaeology, specifically Archaeological science, as a discipline
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
Year one modules provide students with a broad introduction to both archaeological methods and the archaeology of particular times and places around the world (including Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Africa and Europe).
Students take 45 credits of required modules and 15 credits of optional modules in each semester.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two
Year Two builds on Year One’s foundation, introducing specialist modules that provide training in key concepts and techniques from the inorganic (eg metals, glass, pottery) and organic (eg human and animal bones, plants, DNA) archaeological evidence.
You will also gain knowledge of key issues and discoveries in the archaeology of many parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. This programme has an archaeological fieldwork (and/or museum-based experience) requirement that totals four weeks. Year One fieldwork usually consists of participation in a department organised training project for two weeks. In Year Two, students are placed on an appropriate excavation or relevant professional experience. Currently there are departmental research projects in Greece, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Zambia as well as the UK.
Students must take 15 credits of required modules and 45 credits of optional modules in Semester 1, and 30 credits of required modules and 30 credits of optional modules in Semester 2.
Optional modules must be chosen from at least TWO pathways:
Pathway 1 – Archaeological Methods and Practice
Pathway 2 – Prehistory
Pathway 3 – Ancient Near East
Pathway 4 – Classical and pre-Classical Mediterranean
Students are required to complete 20 days of archaeological fieldwork training, normally during the summer vacation period at the end of Year 1 and Year 2. The fieldwork is assessed on ALGY248.
CLAH222 requires prior approval and is subject to a suitable placement being sourced. Students will not be able to register directly for this module.
Students wishing to take ALGY285 must have taken ALGY112 in Year 1.
Students may take 15 credits of optional cognate modules outside of their degree programme with permission from the Subject Lead.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| ARTEFACTS AND TECHNOLOGY (ALGY250) | 15 |
| HUMAN OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY (ALGY266) | 15 |
| WORKING WITH THE PAST (ALGY248) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year three
Students take the core modules including the dissertation (equivalent to two modules), which is a subject of the student’s choice researched in depth under the supervision of a staff member.
Students then choose their four remaining modules from the list of selected optional modules. At least two of the chosen modules should be related to the dissertation topic.
Students take 45 credits of required modules and 15 credits of optional modules in Semester 1, and 15 credits of required modules and 45 credits of optional modules in Semester 2.
Optional modules must be chosen from at least TWO pathways:
Pathway 1 – Archaeological Methods and Practice
Pathway 2 – Prehistory
Pathway 3 – Ancient Near East
Pathway 4 – Classical and pre-Classical Mediterranean
ALGY450 is a ‘year-long’ module and represents 15 credits in each semester.
Students wishing to take ALGY342 must have taken ALGY106 in Year 1.
With the permission of the subject lead, it is also possible to choose 15 credits from those offered at Level 5 so as to fit the themed pathway or support your dissertation.
Students may take 15 credits of optional cognate modules outside of their degree programme with permission from the Subject Lead.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
Modules are delivered by a mixture of lectures and seminars in Year One, in Year Two the lecture element within modules is complemented by student led seminars. Finally, in Year Three, most modules are delivered by a short series of lectures with a focus on student-led seminars thereafter. Self-directed study is also expected through the course reading list and conducting research for your essays and projects. Academic staff area regularly available via their office hours for one-to-one feedback and support. Course material is available 24-hours a day on Canvas, our online learning platform, and study support is available from our dedicated student services team.
How you're assessed
Typical forms of assessment include:
- Exams – an examination may cover essay-based work or language work
- Essays or projects
- Portfolio submission – such as a critical reflection of seminars
- Presentations
- Practical and laboratory sessions, primarily used for teaching techniques and knowledge for the analysis for specific classes of archaeological material. Some modules taught by practical session are examined by continuously assessed coursework alone, often comprising short practical examinations and longer reports on an assemblage of artefacts or remains.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
Semester abroad
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Summer abroad
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
- Study abroad without adding an extra year
- Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
- Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline
Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Combine this subject
With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.
- Choose from 30 subjects and over 300 combinations
- Choose joint or major minor subjects
- Adjust the weight of your subjects at the end of your first year
- Same number of credits as single honours students
- Same classes as single honours students
- Appeal to a wide range of employers
Explore combined degrees for Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology courses
Your experience
The Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology is part of the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures. Teaching takes place across campus, including in specialist facilities in the Central Teaching Hub.
Explore where you'll study
A day in the life of Historical and Classic Studies student Amy
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
Why Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology at University of Liverpool?
- Fantastic on-campus facilities such as the Garstang Museum with its outstanding archaeological collections and GIS suite for archaeological drawing
- Our extensive laboratories used for conservation, lithics, geomagnetism, stable isotope, trace elements, finds processing and sample preparation
- An enviable library which has been built up since the Ancient World and Archaeology has been studied at Liverpool since the 1880s
- Opportunities to learn ancient languages such as Greek, Latin, Akkadian, Sumerian, Egyptian and Coptic
- Archaeological projects based internationally, in Egypt, Greece, Bulgaria, Jordan, Turkey, Italy, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa, as well as in the British Isles
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
A day in the life of Historical and Classic Studies student Amy
Careers and employability
An Archaeology degree from Liverpool provides you with a rigorous training experience that produces graduates with an exceptional breadth of knowledge.
Our graduates are well-equipped for a wide variety of private or public sector careers, including in finance, journalism, teaching, law, the police or Civil Service, tourism, and heritage management where knowledge of archaeology is a specific advantage.
Past students have successfully gained employment in universities and major museums, locally, nationally, and internationally.
Recent employers include:
- The National Trust
- English Heritage
- Civil Service
- Archaeology South East