History and Archaeology

Do you want to dig deeper into the past to gain new groundbreaking insights? On this fascinating hands-on degree you combine the study of both historical documents and archaeological remains in a quest for missing pieces of the historical canvas.

Our committed team of historians and archaeologists are passionate about their subjects, which cover a broad range of cultures, wars and traditions. They will help you to mine the past seeking answers to pressing questions from the prehistoric to the modern period in Britain, mainland Europe, the Caribbean, USA and Japan.

This dynamic, multi-disciplinary course encourages you to critically evaluate historical sources and archaeological information and assess their value to our understanding of the past.

In Year 1, you examine the theory and practice of archaeology, including an introduction to fieldwork. You study the archaeology of the historic and prehistoric periods; the methods and nature of history as a discipline in small groups, and choose from a range of optional modules to gain an insight into a variety of historical periods and cultures.

Building on a firm foundation laid in the first year, in Year 2, you may choose to focus your studies on a range of historical themes or societies, while also studying the archaeology of one or more European archaeological periods. You develop an understanding of research skills and knowledge in preparation for Year 3.

In Year 3, you cover topics more intensively and carry out an independent piece of research on a subject of your choice in either archaeology or history.

As part of the course, there are opportunities for you to visit archaeological sites and get involved in departmental research, which allows you to work in new laboratories and use a range of specialist surveying equipment.

You are required to attend a two-week period of archaeological fieldwork during the first summer vacation, which can be on any of the department’s projects. In recent years these have included projects in Hampshire and the South West, as well as international research projects in Barbados, Georgia, Belgium, Germany and Greece.

It is the complementary, yet different, nature of these disciplines that makes this degree so challenging and exciting. It gives you excellent research, analysis and creative presentation skills and demonstrates that you can work collaboratively.

Our graduates enter a wide variety of careers in field archaeology, teaching, archival work, and government and heritage organisations. Others find work in the arts, retail, marketing and media.