University of Reading United Kingdom

BA Archaeology and History with Professional Placement

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 4 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

Embark on a transformative academic journey with the BA Archaeology and History with Professional Placement at the University of Reading. This undergraduate degree is designed for curious minds eager to unravel the complexities of the human past, from the earliest hominins to the intricate narratives of the last millennium. You will explore how archaeological methods reconstruct ancient lives and how historical analysis illuminates societal shifts, political landscapes, and cultural expressions across diverse global regions. By integrating the material evidence of archaeology with the textual and visual records of history, you will develop a nuanced understanding of human experience and the forces that have shaped our world, preparing you for a dynamic academic and professional future.

You will study this programme full-time on campus over four years, including a dedicated professional placement year. Your learning will encompass core archaeological techniques such as fieldwork and post-excavation analysis, alongside historical methodologies covering political, cultural, and social history. Throughout your degree, you will engage with diverse historical sources and archaeological evidence, culminating in a significant independent dissertation in your final year. This hands-on approach, complemented by practical experience gained during your placement year, ensures you graduate with a robust skill set, ready for careers in heritage management, museum curation, historical research, or further postgraduate study.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA program offers a comprehensive exploration of archaeology and history, delving into human origins, archaeological methods, and diverse historical periods from ancient civilizations to contemporary issues. Students will engage with topics such as warfare, cultural practices, and societal transformations, with opportunities to specialize in areas like bioarchaeology, museum studies, or specific historical eras. The curriculum culminates in a dissertation and includes a professional placement year, providing practical experience in the field.

1 YEAR 1

Revolutions and transitions: The human journey from 6 million years ago to the present day Compulsory
Archaeology today: Methods and practice Compulsory
Perspectives in history Compulsory
Making history Compulsory
Warfare in early modern Europe, c. 1500-1715 Optional
Doomsday dystopias: Nuclear disaster in the Cold War imagination Optional
US environmental diplomacy from Nixon to Obama Optional
After Malthus: Sex, society, sustainability and the politics of population in the long nineteenth century Optional
Forensic anthropology and the archaeology of death Optional
Contemporary world cultures: An introduction to social anthropology Optional
Presenting the past: An introduction to museum studies Optional
Merlin the magician Optional
Optional language modules Optional

2 YEAR 2

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

3 YEAR 3

4 YEAR 4

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

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,130.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,130.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,130.00
Fourth Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,130.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 136,521.00

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

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 467.00 - USD 1,787.00
Food & Groceries USD 3,222.00 - USD 8,200.00
Transport USD 903.00 - USD 935.00
Utilities & Bills USD 2,093.00 - USD 2,616.00
Estimated Total USD 6,218.00 - USD 11,228.00

Living cost estimates are based on London Road Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

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

Common Graduate Roles

Advertising TechnologyAerospace ManufacturingAerospace Research & AcademiaAviation Maintenance & RepairAviation Safety & RegulationCommercial AviationDigital MarketingMedia Planning & BuyingPerformance & Growth MarketingUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)

Top Employers Hiring for this course

Kings College London

Manchester City Council

Why Study BA Archaeology and History with Professional Placement 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 with Professional Placement 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 allowed during breaks without a separate work permit.

What English language score do I need for this course?

To meet the English language requirements, you can submit scores from Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Specific scores must be achieved in each section, with an overall minimum score of 100 for TOEFL or 6.5 for IELTS.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers as Archaeologists, Historians, Museum Curators, Cultural Heritage Managers, or Academic Researchers.

What will I actually study in this course?

This BA in Archaeology and History offers hands-on experience and explores topics like human past and environmental ethics. It is ranked 1st in the UK for research quality and teaching quality in Archaeology.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The course starts in September each year. Make sure to apply ahead of the deadlines to secure your place.
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
Account
  • New student?

Search for universities & courses

ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️