Course summary
Explore humanity from its earliest origins to the cultures and societies of today with our BA Archaeology and Anthropology degree. The University is in the top 100 in the world for Archaeology (QS World Rankings by Subject, 2024, Archaeology. The University of Reading is ranked 51-100 in the world) and is ranked 1st in the UK for research quality and research outputs in Archaeology (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we scored 2nd best for teaching quality in Archaeology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024). This joint honours course combines archaeology’s examination of material evidence from our past and present with anthropology’s focus on human development and contemporary cultures and societies. Studying these two disciplines together allows you insight and understanding of what it means to be human. This understanding will be crucial in addressing issues critical to our shared global future, including:
- the relationship between humans and environmental change
- inequality, migration and identity
- population growth and development
- human diets and health
- politics, economics and sustainability.
- material culture
- biological evidence
- ethnographic evidence
- theoretical and empirical perspectives from the past and present.
- the investigation of artefacts recovered through excavation
- the study of human bones (including osteology and palaeopathology)
- the study of plant and animal remains
- human-environment interaction
- how climate and environmental change have affected lives past and present
- religious, social, economic and political diversity around the world.
Modules
The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change. Core modules for this course: *Revolutions and Transitions: the Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day *Archaeology Today: Methods and Practice *Global Challenges *Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death *Contemporary World Cultures: an Introduction to Social Anthropology *Archaeology and Heritage: Past, Present and Future *Archaeology Field School and Professional Practice *Changing the Face of the Earth: Past, Present and Future Sustainability *Living with Each Other: Social and Cultural Geography The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.
How to apply
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:
- VL46
- Institution code:
- R12
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Access to HE Diploma - D: 18 credits M: 27 credits
Scottish Higher - ABBBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points
Extended Project - B
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - M2, M2, M2
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - M
Contextual offers for this programme are typically two grades beneath our standard entry requirement, e.g. BCC.
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
TOEFL (iBT) | 88 | We require a minimum score of 88 overall with no less than 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking. |
Cambridge English Advanced | B | We require a grade B or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162. |
Cambridge English Proficiency | C | We require a grade C or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162. |
PTE Academic | 69 | We require a minimum score of 69 overall with at least 59 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
Institution's Own Test | Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). | |
Trinity ISE | Merit | We require a Merit in each element from ISE II. If you take ISE III or ISE IV, we require a Pass in each element. |
Full list of acceptable English Language Tests
Student Outcomes
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 | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £22350 | Year 1 |
International | £22350 | 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
Provider information
University of Reading
Whiteknights House
PO Box 217
Reading
RG6 6AH