Archaeological Practice

Archaeological practice is the hands-on discipline at the core of how we recover and interpret evidence about the human past. It encompasses the techniques of prospecting for sites, through geophysical survey, aerial photography and documentary research, the methods of controlled excavation that allow material to be retrieved in its spatial and stratigraphic context, the analysis of finds ranging from pottery and bone to environmental samples, and the synthesis of findings into records, reports and publications. Practical competency and methodological rigour are as central to archaeology as theoretical understanding.

At the University of Winchester you will study archaeological practice over three years of full-time study, on a programme that keeps the actual work of archaeology at the forefront. You will learn the methods used to locate and prospect new sites, develop excavation skills and recording techniques, and gain experience in the analysis and interpretation of finds across different periods and material types. You will also study how findings are written up and communicated, developing the report-writing and publication skills that professional archaeological work requires.

The typical tariff of 104 reflects a programme that welcomes students with genuine curiosity about the past and a commitment to the discipline's practical as well as intellectual demands.

Archaeological practice graduates work as field archaeologists with commercial units, local authorities, heritage organisations such as Historic England and Cadw, museums, and in academia. The commercial archaeology sector is a significant employer, with development-led work generating sustained demand for trained field staff and post-excavation specialists. Many graduates build careers progressing from site assistant to project officer, supervisor and project manager.

Others specialise in areas such as environmental archaeology, finds analysis, geophysics or heritage management. Postgraduate study offers routes into specialist research, conservation and academic careers, and the fieldwork experience and technical skills gained during the programme are directly valued by employers from the outset.