Archaeology

Archaeology is the discipline that recovers, analyses, and interprets the material remains of past human activity, from prehistoric stone tools and ancient settlements to industrial-era objects and twentieth-century conflict sites. It uses a combination of excavation, survey, laboratory analysis, and theoretical interpretation to reconstruct how people in the past lived, what they believed, how they organised their societies, and how they interacted with their environments. The discipline is both a science and a humanity, drawing on geology, chemistry, biology, and statistics as well as history, anthropology, and cultural theory.

At the University of Chester, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year and a year abroad, giving you a supported introduction to the discipline's demanding intellectual content before progressing into the main degree, and the opportunity to study in another country before completing your final year. Chester's location in northwest England places you close to some of the richest archaeological landscapes in Britain, including Roman Chester itself, the prehistoric sites of north Wales, and the industrial heritage of the region. Fieldwork is central to the programme, and you will develop practical skills in excavation, survey, and the analysis of artefacts alongside the theoretical and methodological understanding needed to interpret what you find.

A typical entry tariff of 88 points, combined with the foundation year, makes the programme accessible to students who need additional preparation.

Archaeology graduates work in commercial archaeology, heritage management, museum curation, education, community archaeology, and conservation. Many also pursue careers in the civil service, planning, and environmental consultancy, where archaeological knowledge is required for development proposals. The year abroad provides international experience that is valuable in a field with many opportunities in global heritage and cultural resource management.

Postgraduate study in archaeology, heritage studies, or a specific period or method is a natural continuation for those who want to specialise.