Course Overview
This degree programme will enable you to specialise in the practice-based elements and to engage closely with archaeological and historical records. Central to the degree is the field excavation and survey plus work placement with a suitable professional partner.
You will be introduced to the theoretical approaches within Environmental Archaeology, explore the practice of archaeologists within the UK regulatory framework and have the opportunity to develop field and laboratory skills in the School's dedicated palaeoenvironmental laboratories.
Practical sessions are offered in pollen analysis, dendrochronology, soils and sediments, non-human animal bones and molluscs. You will be introduced to the wider issues of how humans have modified and transformed the land and their environment, reflecting on symbolic, social and political factors. This degree capitalises on the diversity of archaeological sites within the UK, including a variety of fieldwork-based projects.
Many modules include a field trip to local sites or historic features of the landscape: we also do a graveyard survey for the less-squeamish. As well as classroom activities you will participate on our annual excavation at the spectacular Cistercian monastery and hinterland of Strata Florida, a few miles north of the campus in the Cambrian Mountains.
Key Features
Reasons to choose this course include:
- UK and overseas field excavations (Strata Florida, Mediterranean, Qatar)
- Combines theory, method and practice of archaeology
- Excellent facilities for field and laboratory-based courses, with its own bespoke series of laboratories (covering analysis of soil, pollen, 'the bone lab', the project room)
- Hi-tech computer facilities to undertake GIS survey
- Many wide-ranging and varied option courses to choose from
- Staff with teaching and research expertise in a wide international area
- Ideal area with sites ranging from prehistoric hill forts and monuments, to Roman gold mines and imposing medieval castle complexes
- Work placement opportunities with local archaeology trusts, CADW, National Trust, and so on.
Modules
Typical modules include:
- Introduction to Fieldwork
- Introduction to Laboratory Techniques
- Land, Sea and Sky-scapes
- Excavation and Fieldwork
- Post-Excavation and Analysis
- Advanced Archaeological Analysis
- Palaeoenvironmental Archaeology
- Nautical Archaeology
- Bioarchaeology
- Museums, Heritage and Representation
- Human Evolution
- Humans and their Environments in Prehistoric Europe
- Medieval Castles in Context
Course Tutor(s)
- Dr Ros Coard
- Dr Quentin Drew
- Dr Martin Bates
- Prof. Nigel Nayling
Assessment
The programme is assessed in a variety of ways and will include several of the following type of assessment: essays of 1,000 to 4,000 words in length, document analysis, book/journal reviews, short reports and reflective journals, time tests, seen and unseen exams, field journals, posters, group and individual presentations, dissertations of 10,000 words, wikis, commentaries and film evaluations.
Career Opportunities
Career and employment opportunities include:
- Professional field archaeology
- Local government consultancy
- Government and commercial management
- Teaching, education officer
- Voluntary work
- Research and postgraduate opportunities
- Heritage sector
- Museum, exhibition and archive work
- ITC
- Local community and council work
Related Courses
- BA Archaeology
- BA Environmental Archaeology
- BA Ancient Civilisations
- BA Archaeology with Forensic Studies
- BA Nautical Archaeology
Tuition Fees
Annual tuition fees for entry in the academic year 2017/18 are as follows:
UK/EU: £9,000
International: £14,900
Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3% for International students and at the capped fee rate as set by the UK Government for UK/EU students.
You can find further information on fees and how to pay on our Student Finance pages.
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's Bursaries and Scholarships page
