Archaeology (Hons)

Overview

Studying human, animal and plant remains, artefacts and art, you will learn how to reconstruct the past from its material remains. You will investigate the major social, economic, religious and technological developments in long-term human history, from Britain to South Africa and Spain to China, and learn how to carry out archaeological excavation and survey.

Year One modules provide students with a broad introduction to both archaeological methods and the archaeology of particular times and places around the world (including Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Africa and Europe).

Years Two and Three build on this foundation, introducing specialist modules that provide training in key concepts and techniques from the inorganic (eg metals, glass, pottery) and organic (eg human bones, plants, DNA) archaeological evidence.

You will also gain knowledge of key issues and discoveries in the archaeology of many parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. This programme has an archaeological fieldwork (and/or museum-based experience) requirement that totals four weeks. Year One fieldwork usually consists of participation in a department organised training project for two weeks. In Year Two, students are placed on an appropriate excavation or relevant professional experience. Currently there are departmental research projects in Greece, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Zambia as well as the UK.

Career prospects

Archaeology, Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology degrees from Liverpool provide you with a rigorous training experience that produces graduates with an unusual breadth of knowledge.

Graduates of the Archaeology (Hons) program from University of Liverpool are well equipped for a wide variety of careers in fields as diverse as journalism, heritage management, law, the civil service, teaching, business, IT and tourism. You can also go on to undertake further study and research degrees and our past students have had marked success in gaining employment in universities and major museums, locally, nationally and internationally.

Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology students can take part in our ‘Skills for Success’ programme; a series of workshops and events that enable you to gain essential life, academic and employability skills. You will learn about time management, team building, problem solving, communication and many more practical tips. And you will be able to put these skills into practice too, by making use of our many work placement opportunities.

Competition for graduate careers is now very fierce in the UK, with many more graduates in the market than was the case a number of years ago. As a result, employers are looking for more than just a good degree from a good university. They are looking for potential employees who have a real understanding of areas of work and have made significant efforts to research into and develop skills that may be useful in the workplace.