Archaeology

Archaeology is the study of the human past through its material remains, encompassing everything from the first use of stone tools 3.3 million years ago to the industrial landscapes of the recent past. It is a discipline that brings together science, history, and social inquiry, using excavation, survey, remote sensing, and laboratory analysis to recover and interpret the physical traces that past peoples have left behind. Archaeology gives voice to communities and individuals who left no written record, making it one of the most genuinely inclusive approaches to understanding human experience across time.

At the University of Leicester this three-year full-time BA in archaeology and heritage enhances your understanding of the diverse societies of the past through the traces they have left in material objects and texts. Leicester has a strong archaeological heritage, and the university sits in a region rich in Roman, medieval, and more recent sites, including the famous discovery of Richard III beneath a city car park. The degree covers an exceptionally wide chronological and geographical range, developing your skills in fieldwork, artefact analysis, environmental reconstruction, and heritage management.

The degree includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study in a different archaeological tradition and to broaden your understanding of how the past is studied internationally. The typical entry tariff of 120 points reflects the inclusive and broadly accessible character of the degree.

You will develop research skills, the ability to work with material evidence, digital and scientific methods of analysis, and a strong understanding of the ethical and professional dimensions of heritage practice.

Graduates pursue careers in commercial archaeology, museums and heritage management, conservation, teaching, publishing, and the public sector. Postgraduate study in archaeology, heritage management, or museum studies is a well-established next step.