Archaeology (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons)

The University of Winchester

• Learn from world-leading archaeology scholars in a stimulating and engaging environment
• Use our fully equipped laboratory and the latest range of industry-standard surveying equipment, including a ground penetrating radar and geoscan gradiometers
• Join fieldwork projects abroad, such as in Barbados and Georgia

Archaeology takes a painstaking look at the physical evidence of past societies to trace the evolution and cultural history of humanity. Ancient landscapes, buildings, artefacts and the people themselves can all reveal a small part of a bigger picture. Our BA in Archaeology takes you on an immersive and exciting journey through time — from the earliest human ancestors to the industrial age - drawing from subjects within the humanities, sciences and social sciences to understand past cultures and conserve them for future generations.

Winchester is home to experienced archaeology scholars who provide stimulating and engaging teaching materials. In a supportive environment, you learn highly-relevant fieldwork techniques and rigorous academic training in library-based research. Our department is one of only a handful of academic faculties to be a registered organisation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, a quality assurance scheme for professional practice in the field.

To make sure you make the most of fieldwork in the UK and abroad, we have excellent field equipment, including a ground penetrating radar, geoscan gradiometers, a magnetic susceptibility meter and an X-ray fluorescence analyser. In addition, you use specialist computer software such as Geoplot, EKKO Mapper and Voxler geophysics. Our department also has a commercial research consultancy (ARCA), where you can learn from highly-trained specialist staff. The consultancy offers valuable laboratory work experience – an opportunity to combine your academic expertise with delivering high-quality commercial solutions.

A Foundation Year is the perfect way to boost your academic skills, build your confidence and develop your wider subject knowledge so you can succeed at Winchester. This course offers an extra year of study at the start (Year 0) which leads onto a full degree programme (Years 1, 2 and 3).

A Foundation Year is ideal if you are returning to education after a break; haven’t quite achieved the entry qualifications required; are wanting more support during the transition to studying at university; or are unsure about which subject you wish to pursue.

In Year 0, you will study a set of modules from across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences which are designed to develop your academic and practical skills. This broader focus in your first year introduces you to studying at university level and provides you with a better understanding of Archaeology and related subjects.

As we become more attuned to how the past is able to help shape our future, archaeologists are increasingly playing key roles in policy development and decision-making. Graduates enter the archaeological profession and work in museums, heritage organisations, commercial archaeology and local authorities. Others find careers within applied science, for example environmental management, geomatics and remote sensing.