Archaeology and Medieval History (BA)
UCAS Code: W1K
The Bachelor of Arts Archeology and Medieval History degree is a three year course which provides a level of training, skill and knowledge that is respected within professional archaeology and which serves students well when applying for postgraduate study, for employment in archaeology and the heritage sector, and for employment outside of the discipline.
Over three years, students take 360 credits of modules and are able to balance the core requirements in both subjects (e.g. excavation, theory) with a wide choice of options covering Medieval history, the archaeology of the Roman to Medieval periods and a range of archaeological skills. For a full list of currently available undergraduate modules please visit Archaeology undergraduate module; for a list of Medieval History options see below.
In the first year of the BA Archaeology and Medieval History degree, students study three subjects: a general introduction to the human past (Archaeology Part I A); a general introduction to the study of History; and any other subject offered by the university (e.g., Ancient History, Sociology, Italian) which is timetable compatible. Thus, in their first year, BA Archaeology and Medieval History students take the following modules.
Archaeology Part I A (40 credits)
- British Prehistory - 10 credits (HS2103)
Students also select one of the following Part I A modules
- Ancient Egypt - 10 credits (HS2120)
History Part I (20 credits)
- Medieval Europe - 20 credits (HS1101)
Students must also select 20 credits from the following modules
Also in their first year, students take an additional 40 credits of modules from the School of History and Archaeology or from any other school or department of the university (scheduling conflicts and entry requirements permitting). A popular choice includes the following module (though many other possible combinations exist).
During the summer after the first year, all archaeology students complete a four-week placement on an excavation; placements are arranged, approved, funded and assessed by the department.
Years 2 & 3
In the second and third years, BA Archaeology and Medieval History students must complete 240 credits of modules of which 120 credits normally are Archaeology modules and 120 are History modules. Over the second and third year, students must take the following Archaeology modules.
- Archaeological Fieldwork 1 (HS2341/HS2342)
- Archaeological Fieldwork 2 (HS2343/HS2344)
- Medieval Archaeology - 20 Credits (HS2382)
Students must also take one (but not both of the following)
- Approaches to History - 30 credits (HS1701)
Furthermore, students must take one (but not both of the following)
- Medieval History Independent Study - 30 credits HS4390
Archaeology and Medieval History students make up the remaining credits by selecting from the Archaeology modules on offer and from the following History modules
- The Normans in Europe c.900-1150 - 30 credits (HS1717)
- Medieval Warfare - 30 credits (HS1719)
- Dissertation - 30 credits (HS1801)
- William the Conqueror 1035-1087 - 30 credits (HS1812)
- Art & Visual Culture - 30 credits (HS2406)
- Julian the Apostate - 10 credits (HS3307)
- The End of Antiquity- 10 credits (HS3308)
Teaching is via lectures, small-group seminars, practical classes and fieldtrips and assessment is via a combination of essay, class-tests, practical, fieldwork reports and exams.
Our standard A-level offer for the BA Archaeology and Medieval History: ABB with at least a B in History.
Students interested in these degrees should contact:
Admissions Tutor for Undergraduate Archaeology
See this course on the University's Coursefinder website.