University of Reading United Kingdom

BA Archaeology and History

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

Embark on a comprehensive exploration of human history and its material evidence with the BA Archaeology and History degree at the University of Reading. This undergraduate programme is ideal for those fascinated by the deep past and its enduring impact on the present, offering a unique interdisciplinary approach that combines rigorous historical inquiry with hands-on archaeological methods. You will delve into diverse historical periods and geographical regions, from the earliest hominins to contemporary societies, developing a nuanced understanding of how societies have evolved and how we interpret their legacies through both written records and physical remains. This degree equips you with critical analytical skills essential for understanding complex human narratives.

You will study this full-time, on-campus degree over three years, engaging with modules that cover archaeological fieldwork, historical research methodologies, and specialized topics like forensic anthropology and social history. Throughout your studies, you will develop practical skills in artefact analysis, site interpretation, and historical source criticism. The curriculum is designed to foster independent research, culminating in a dissertation where you will pursue your own research question. Graduates are prepared for a wide array of careers in heritage, museums, research, education, and beyond, armed with a unique blend of historical understanding and archaeological expertise.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA Archaeology and History program offers a comprehensive exploration of human history and material culture. Students will delve into the human journey from prehistory to the present day, examining archaeological methods and historical perspectives. The curriculum covers diverse topics such as ancient civilizations, medieval Europe, and modern global issues, with opportunities for specialized study in areas like forensic anthropology, museum studies, and specific historical periods.

1 YEAR 1

Revolutions and transitions: The human journey from 6 million years ago to the present day
Archaeology today: Methods and practice
Perspectives in history
Making history

2 Optional modules

Warfare in early modern Europe, c. 1500-1715
Doomsday dystopias: Nuclear disaster in the Cold War imagination
US environmental diplomacy from Nixon to Obama
After Malthus: Sex, society, sustainability and the politics of population in the long nineteenth century
Forensic anthropology and the archaeology of death
Contemporary world cultures: An introduction to social anthropology
Presenting the past: An introduction to museum studies
Merlin the magician
Optional language modules

3 YEAR 2

Archaeology and heritage: Past, present and future
Ancient objects: Materials and meanings
Prehistoric Europe: The first million years
Archaeology field school and professional practice
Bioarchaeology
Changing the face of the earth: Past, present and future sustainability
Celts and Romans: Northern Europe and Britain
Medieval Europe: Power, religion and death
Museum learning and engagement
Curatorship and collections management
Going public: Presenting the past, planning the future
People, power and revolution: Political culture in seventeenth-century England
Hollywood histories: Film and the past
Europe in the twentieth century
Medieval medicine
'The brightest jewel in the British crown': The making of modern South Asia, 1757-1947
Reform and revolt in the modern Middle East: Egypt from Ataturk to the ‘Arab Spring’
The crusades, 1095-1291
Encountering the Atlantic world, 1450-1850
Women and medieval history
Black Britain: Race and migration in post-war Britain
The colonial experience: Africa, 1879 to 1980
Summer placement
Optional languages modules

4 YEAR 3

Dissertation in archaeology
Dissertation in history
Science and the dead: Taphonomy and chemistry in human remains
The anthropology of heritage and cultural property
Objects and identities in the Roman Empire
Biological anthropology
Post-excavation: Assessment, analysis and publication in the profession
Emergence of civilisation in Mesopotamia
The first Europeans: Archaeology of the lower Palaeolithic
The archaeology and anthropology of food
Living in medieval towns
Neolithic and early Bronze Britain
Archaeology of the dark ages
The American Civil War
Pirates of the Caribbean: Empire, slavery, and society, 1550-1750
Utopia: The quest for a perfect world
Medieval magic and the origins of the witch-craze
'Battleaxes and benchwarmers': Early female MPs 1919-1931
Axis at war: Life and death in fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, 1936-45
The United States and the Cold War
From Darwin to death camps? Evolution and eugenics in European society, 1859-1945
The Tudors
Poor law to hostile environment
Optional language modules

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 104,824.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 1,126.00 - USD 18,832.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,417.00 - USD 4,028.00
Transport USD 645.00 - USD 1,289.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,128.00 - USD 1,934.00
Estimated Total USD 4,190.00 - USD 7,251.00

Living cost estimates are based on WhiteKnights Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

94%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Aerospace ManufacturingAerospace Research & AcademiaAerospace Supply Chain & LogisticsAlternative Aviation Fuel & SustainabilityAviation Maintenance & RepairDigital MarketingMedia Planning & BuyingPublic RelationsSocial Media & Community ManagementUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)

Top Employers Hiring for this course

Kings College London

Manchester City Council

Why Study BA Archaeology and History at University of Reading

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at University of Reading in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BA Archaeology and History at University of Reading

Can I work while studying?

International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. Full-time work is permitted during breaks.

What English language score do I need for this course?

For English language proficiency, acceptable scores include Duolingo with an overall score of 135, IELTS with a score of 6.5, and TOEFL with a score of 100. Make sure you meet at least one of these requirements.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Career opportunities include Archaeologist, Historian, Museum Curator, Heritage Manager, and Research Assistant.

What will I actually study in this course?

This degree allows you to explore past human experiences and their effects on modern society. Key subjects include Archaeology and History.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA Archaeology and History program accepts students every September. Be sure to prepare your application materials ahead of this intake month.
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