Archaeology University of Reading

Overview

Throughout the Archaeology BA programme from the University of Reading you’ll how to investigate, interpret and present our human past through the study of artefacts, sites, landscapes and cultures. Our wide range of modules allows you to shape your own learning, focusing on the topics and periods that most interest you.

Key facts

At Reading, you'll examine archaeological issues that are critical to our shared global future, such as:

• human diets and health
• climate and environmental change
• inequality
• migration
• identity.

By studying human development, you’ll understand how critical issues of today have roots in the past, and how previous cultures tackled comparable problems. We’ll support you to develop a broad range of subject-specific and transferable skills that span the humanities and sciences. Your learning will encompass:

• the investigation of artefacts recovered through excavations and standing monuments
• the rise of organised religion through to the Crusades
• handling human remains to learn about burial archaeology
• examining how ideas of gender are reflected and imposed through the material world
• how climate and environmental change has impacted lives past and present
• how stories about the past are conveyed through museums and the media.

Career opportunities:

Your degree will equip you with an impressive range of skills and experiences to prepare you for the job market, whether you want to move into the archaeology or heritage sectors, or apply your abilities in a different way.

Our Department has long-established links with employers in the archaeology sectors – including Oxford Archaeology, Cotswold Archaeology and Pre-Construct Archaeology – who regularly consider our graduates for vacancies.

Previous graduates have gone on to work within the archaeological sector for companies such as:

• Border Archaeology
• MOLA Headland Infrastructure
• Canterbury Trust.

Your interest in the past could also lead to a career in the heritage sector, perhaps in a museum or archive. For example, our students have joined:

• Department for Culture and Media
• Colchester Museum
• Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Many graduates have pursued careers in other industries, working for:

• Royal Air Force
• UK Space Agency
• Environment Agency
• Thames Valley Police.