Archaeology and Ancient History Cardiff University

Overview

With the Archaeology and Ancient History programme from Cardiff University , you will be able to specialise in the periods or cultures that interest you most, explore themes such as gender, politics, warfare, religion, art and medicine, or learn about archaeological methods and skills. We’ll ensure that you can place this research and knowledge into a contemporary context, including how heritage sites and collections are managed, and how the ancient world continues to inspire the modern world and inform debates in today’s society.

Key Features

By combining approaches from archaeology and ancient history, you will learn how to understand these societies from different perspectives, as well as acquiring practical skills such as archaeological excavation, surveying, illustration and public outreach.

The teaching is informed by the latest findings, and you’ll share in the process of discovery by participating in fieldwork and carrying out your own research project. As a graduate in archaeology and ancient history, you will have the skills, knowledge and confidence that you need to succeed in a range of careers, in the heritage sector or elsewhere.

Careers

The degree equips you with a range of professional archaeological skills, as well as important transferable skills that employers value, from collaborative working and communicating with a wide range of audiences to critical thinking and finding new ways to address problems. Training and careers events are delivered in and out of the curriculum, with a focus on developing skills while in university and articulating those skills successfully in future applications. The university works closely with Student Futures, who not only deliver training and workshops, but also offer a wealth of placement opportunities. Beyond your formal studies we run programmes that provide you with opportunities to engage with local schools and communities or work with local heritage organisations to develop your own skills and profile whilst allowing you to make a difference.

The graduates progress into a wide range of careers using the skills gained throughout their degrees. Some choose to pursue professions making direct use of their discipline expertise, whilst others enter the public or private sectors, from graduate-level management to teaching. Recent graduates from the school have gone on to roles in museums, archaeology, the heritage sector, teaching and education, the media, civil service, the military, banking and insurance, the law, human resources and the charity sector, with employers ranging from the Museum Wales to local authorities and schools. Those who have followed a path into archaeology and heritage are working in roles such as field archaeologists undertaking excavations, surveys or post-excavation work, as heritage consultants, local authority archaeological advisors and museum curators.

Graduate careers

• Archaeologist
• Historian
• Lecturer