Archaeology
UCAS code V400
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
About this course
Studying Archaeology gives you a means to investigate the past, and an opportunity to study the major developments in human society - from the origins of humans to the development of the great civilisations.
Introduction
Studying human, animal and plant remains, artefacts and art, you will learn how to reconstruct the past from its material remains. You will investigate the major social, economic, religious and technological developments in long-term human history, from Britain to South Africa and Spain to China, and learn how to carry out archaeological excavation and survey.
Optional modules will allow you to explore specific cultural areas, time periods, analytical methods or interpretive themes from an archaeological perspective.
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
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 15 credits of required modules and 45 credits of optional modules in Semester 1, and 45 credits of required modules and 15 credits of optional modules in Semester 2.
ALGY109 and ALGY116 are pre-requisite modules for Egyptology modules in Years 2 and 3.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two
Year Two builds on the foundational modules of Year One, introducing specialist modules that provide training in key concepts and techniques from the inorganic (eg metals, glass, pottery) and organic (eg human bones, plants, DNA) archaeological evidence.
Students must take 15 credits of required modules and 45 credits of optional modules in each semester.
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.
Registration onto HLAC220 is only for students planning to undertake a Work Placement Year.
Students wishing to take ALGY285 must have taken ALGY112 in Year 1.
Students wishing to take ALGY257 or ALGY270 must have taken ALGY109 and ALGY116 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 |
| 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 listed below including a compulsory dissertation (equivalent to two 15 credit modules), which is a subject of the student’s choice researched in depth under the guidance of a staff member.
Students take 30 credits of required modules and 30 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.
Students wishing to take ALGY376 or ALGY377 must have taken ALGY109 and ALGY116 in Year 1.
With the permission of the Subject Lead, it is also possible to choose 15 credits from those offered at Year Two 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.
Students may only take ALGY213, ALGY288, or ALGY386 in their final year if they have not taken them before.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| ARCHAEOLOGY AND HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY: ETHICAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES (ALGY399) | 15 |
| DISSERTATION (ALGY450) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Combined degree
Choosing this subject as a combined degree
Year one modules provide you with a broad introduction to both archaeological methods and the archaeology of particular times and places around the world. Years two and three build on this foundation through a range of lecture, laboratory and practical skills-based modules. Students studying Archaeology as a joint degree can participate in additional, overseas research excavations. These are currently in Sicily, Bulgaria, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Southern Africa and Ireland as well as the UK.
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
- In-class tests and continuous assessment (primarily used for language modules)
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.
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
BBC |
| BTEC Level 3 national extended diploma |
DDM. |
| BTEC combinations |
BTEC National Diploma DM plus B at A level; BTEC National Extended Certificate M plus BB at A level |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced |
C in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level |
| Access |
Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits with 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit |
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
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.
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
- Police Service
- Apple