Skip navigation
Archaeology (with Foundation Year) at University of Winchester - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
Apply

This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

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

Open days

10Jun
University of Winchester - Open Afternoon (2026 entry)
Undergraduate
5Jul
University of Winchester - Open Day (2026 entry)
Undergraduate
13Sep
University of Winchester - Open Day (2026 entry)
Undergraduate

Course summary

  • Learn from world-leading archaeologists in a stimulating and engaging environment, exploring the rich archaeological heritage of Wessex
  • Use our fully-equipped laboratory and the latest industry-standard surveying equipment
  • Take part in home and overseas fieldwork projects currently in Germany and the Republic of Georgia
  • Accredited by The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK (UAUK)
Winchester is home to experienced archaeologists who provide stimulating and engaging teaching materials. In a supportive environment, you learn key fieldwork techniques and undertake rigorous academic training. To make sure you make the most of fieldwork, we have excellent field equipment, including ground penetrating radar, magnetometers, magnetic susceptibility meters, differential GPS instruments, total stations, and an X-ray fluorescence analyser. You will learn how to use industry-standard computer software such as ArcGIS and Geoplot. Further, our department has a geoarchaeological consultancy (ARCA), whose staff will teach you. The consultancy offers valuable laboratory work experience – an opportunity to combine your academic expertise with delivering high-quality commercial solutions. A Foundation Year is the perfect way to build your academic skills, boost your confidence and develop your wider subject knowledge so you can bridge any gaps between school and undergraduate level, including in our academically stimulating degree courses. This course offers an extra year of study at the start (Year 0) which leads onto a full degree programme (Years 1, 2 and 3). A Foundation Year is ideal if you are returning to education after a break; haven’t quite achieved the entry qualifications required; are wanting more support during the transition to studying at university; or are unsure about which subject you wish to pursue. During year 0, you will study a set of modules from across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences which are designed to develop your academic and practical skills. This broader focus in your first year introduces you to studying at university level and provides you with a better understanding of Archaeology and related subjects. You will get a taste of a variety of teaching methods including lectures, discussion-based seminars and independent study. You will also receive support to boost your academic skills to prepare you for the rest of your time at Winchester. Year 1 provides a sound foundation in the theory and practice of archaeology and considers the history of humanity from our earliest ape ancestors to the twentieth century. The year finishes with a four-week excavation in the summer. During Years 2 and 3, you focus on the archaeology of specific periods and/or places while you undertake a dissertation, for which you are prepared by modules on theory and method, and consider the public role of archaeology. Core Year 2 modules include Fieldwork Techniques and the Archaeology of Britain and optional modules include GIS and Geomatics; the Making of Classical and Hellenistic Greece and Death, Burials and Bioarchaeology. You will undertake four weeks of archaeological fieldwork. In Year 3 you will consolidate all of your learning up to this point by undertaking your final-year dissertation. You can also choose optional modules which include topics such as Archaeological Project Management, Themes in European Prehistory and the Archaeology of Conflict. As we become more attuned to how the past is able to help shape our future, archaeologists are increasingly playing key roles in policy development and decision making. Graduates go on to enter the archaeological profession and work in museums, heritage organisations, commercial archaeology and local authorities. Other graduates find careers within applied science, for example in environmental management, geomatics and remote sensing.

How to apply

This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

14Jan

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:
F40X
Institution code:
W76
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation
  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

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 usually required to hold a minimum of 1 x A-level or equivalent qualifications (e.g. 1 x BTEC National Subsidiary Diplomas) and we accept all A-level subjects, including Critical Thinking, General Studies and own-language A-levels. 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

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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).
Archaeology (with Foundation Year) at University of Winchester - UCAS