Course summary

Delivered jointly by the Department of Archaeology and the Department of Classics, this course provides a complementary balance of archaeology and classical studies. The classical studies element of the course provides a broad exposure to the literature, history, and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds, which sit at the heart of modern Western civilisation. Your literary modules, studied in translation, include poetry, tragic and comic drama, and cover broad themes such as love, loss, duty, war and peace. There is also the opportunity to discover how the ancient world has influenced modern literature and culture, and to study other aspects of the ancient past such as its art – including through first-hand access to our own unique collection of Greek and Egyptian antiquities. In 2019, the Department of Classics achieved a 93% satisfaction score in the National Student Survey, and 100% of our research impact has been recognised as world leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework 2014. The Department of Archaeology is ranked in the top 10 UK universities for Archaeology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2019). At the University of Reading, our expertise in archaeology starts with the earliest humans and spans up until the medieval period. We focus mainly on British, European and Near Eastern Archaeology, but explore other regions across the world. You will learn about burial archaeology, material culture, bioarchaeology (including human remains), forensics, past environments (including geoarchaeology), museums, and gender archaeology. Benefit from our dedicated Archaeology Building and specialist equipment, and learn in purpose-built laboratories. We have an outstanding track record for student satisfaction, with scores consistently between 90-100% for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey, 2010-2019. If you are interested in studying abroad, you have the opportunity to spend a term at one of our partner universities in your second year, getting to know a new academic and cultural environment. You can also apply to study at the British School at Athens and the British School at Rome, which both offer summer school opportunities to University of Reading students. Study year abroad This four-year degree course includes a placement or a year's study at a university abroad in your third year, giving you the opportunity to develop valuable professional and international experience. Placements Placements are an excellent way to enhance your work-related skills and develop a network of contacts, as well as strengthen your employability prospects. We provide opportunities for you to undertake placements in a variety of contexts. Careers This joint degree can lead to a variety of careers. The course is an ideal foundation to begin your career in commercial archaeology, heritage management and research, as well as disciplines such as teaching, business, publishing and marketing. You will gain a broad range of subject-specific and transferable skills spanning the humanities and sciences. Our curriculum is designed to give you not just knowledge in subjects you are passionate about, but also the qualities that employers really care about – qualities that are transferable to a diverse range of careers. We have long-established, excellent relationships with employers within the archaeology, heritage and related sectors. Archaeology and Classical Studies graduates from the University of Reading are represented among the staff of major employers such as Oxford Archaeology, Wessex Archaeology, Museum of London Archaeology, Natural History Museum, Environment Agency, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, GCHQ, the University of Oxford and Sotherby’s. Some of our graduates have progressed into roles in the civil service and in teaching at both primary and secondary levels. Each year a number of graduates pursue further, higher study following graduation.

Course details