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Archaeological Practice at University of Winchester - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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University of Winchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

30Nov
University of Winchester - Open Day
Undergraduate
18Jan
University of Winchester - Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

  • Use our fully equipped laboratories and the latest industry-standard surveying equipment.
  • Take part in fieldwork projects in the UK and overseas.
  • Places emphasis on skills acquisition but within an academically rigorous environment.
  • We are one of only three archaeology departments - to be a Registered Archaeological Organisation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists - a hallmark of the quality of our archaeological work.
-Accredited by The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK (UAUK). Archaeology unearths the stories of our past. It is the archaeologist’s job to discover and excavate sites and interpret the material recovered from them. Our Archaeological Practice course is the original vocational archaeology degree, and is specifically designed to give you the practical and technical skills necessary for a successful career in archaeology to that end. The degree focuses on the current practice of archaeology, including the methods used for prospecting new sites, excavation techniques, analysis of finds and preparation of reports and publications. Our three-year programme places emphasis on skills acquisition - partly during fieldwork undertaken both during term time and in the summer vacation - but also includes the academic study of different periods and cultures, from the earliest humans to the start of the twentieth century. Year 1 provides an introduction to different sub-disciplines of archaeology, including fieldwork, resources, material culture and archaeological science. To make sure you leave no stone unturned during fieldwork in the UK and abroad, you will use state of the art field equipment - including ground penetrating radar, magnetometers, magnetic susceptibility meters, differential GPS instruments and total stations. In addition, you will learn how to use industry standard computer software such as ArcGIS, Geoplot and AutoCAD. In addition our department has a geoarchaeological consultancy (ARCA), whose staff will also teach you. The consultancy offers valuable laboratory work experience and an opportunity to combine your academic expertise with reporting for a professional audience. In Year 2, you will study geographic information systems, sophisticated methods of measured survey and a variety of appraoches to remote sensing. There are also a wealth of optional modules that explore the whole human story from Early and Late Prehistoric Europe, through Ancient Greece to Medieval, post-Medieval and Modern Eurasia. In Year 3, you write a dissertation, take classes in heritage law and protocols, undertake more fieldwork and conduct in-depth studies into such specialist subjects as the Archaeology of Buddhism, the Archaeology of the Southern Caucasus, The Celts and Intangible Heritage. There is an option to do a short industry placement many of which have led to employment with the archaeological company providing the placement, instead of the dissertation. Students may also pursue the four-year BSc Archaeological Practice with Professional Placement pathway which includes an industry placement year, providing an invaluable portfolio of experience. You are taught by experts in the field. Our department is one of only three to be a registered Archaeological Organisation with the Chartered Insitute for Archaeologists, a quality assurance scheme for professional practice. Graduates work in professional archaeology, for example with a commercial archaeological organisation undertaking developer funded excavation, survey and research work.

Modules

For detailed information on modules you will be studying please click on the 'View course details' link at the top of this summary box.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) (formerly Institute of Field Archaeologists)

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
V400
Institution code:
W76
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Applicants who wish to apply for advanced standing (exemption from part of a programme) based on previous study are considered on an individual basis. Applicants are required to provide transcripts. confirming the module titles and grades they have already achieved, as well as module handbooks and/or programme specifications showing the learning outcomes of the modules completed.

International applicants

We accept a wide range of non-UK qualifications and use UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre) guidelines to confirm their equivalence.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Applicants are required to hold a minimum of 2 x A-level or equivalent qualifications (e.g. 2 x BTEC National Subsidiary Diplomas) and we accept all A-level subjects, including Critical Thinking, General Studies and own-language A-levels. We welcome applicants who have completed the Extended Project (EP/EPQ) and points obtained from this qualification will be included in any offer. In addition, we accept a maximum of 32 points from level 3 qualifications below A2 that are included in the tariff (e.g. AS-levels not studied at A-level, music or dance qualifications). If you are a mature student, your application will be considered on its individual merits and work or other professional experience may be taken into consideration in lieu of other published requirements.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6An overall score of 6.0, including 5.5 in writing is required. If you require Tier 4 sponsorship, you will require a minimum of 5.5 in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
65%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
EU £16700 Year 1
International £16700 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For further information about any additional costs associated with this course please see the individual course page on the University of Winchester website (www.winchester.ac.uk).
Archaeological Practice at University of Winchester - UCAS