University of Leicester

Course Details

BA Ancient History and Archaeology

Course Description

In the School of Archaeology and Ancient History, staff and students work together to create a fertile and stimulating environment for learning and furthering our knowledge of the past. Our aim as archaeologists and ancient historians is to enhance our understanding of the diverse societies of the past through the traces they have left in the form of material objects and texts. Our aim as teachers is to share with you that understanding and our passion for the subject. The recognition the School has received for its teaching and research excellence, nationally and internationally, testifies to our success in achieving these aims. This success is founded on our continuing commitment to students and to innovative, high-quality teaching and research.

Course Duration

NumberDuration
3year

Career outcomes

At Leicester we place a particular emphasis upon practical learning, and instruction extends far beyond the lecture theatre. All degrees and joint degrees in Archaeology include practical and scientific modules, with the opportunity for particular specialism in the second and third years. These include courses in the analysis of human bone, animal bone, forensic archaeology and pottery amongst many others. Fieldwork is an important element of the School’s degrees. All Archaeology students take part in two excavations (totalling six weeks for single honours students; four weeks for joint honours). The focus for this fieldwork is the School’s on-going research and training excavation at the Iron Age hillfort in Burrough Hill, Leicestershire. Here, you will have the opportunity to work closely with both professional archaeologists from the University of Leicester Archaeological Service (ULAS) and School staff and to contribute to an important research project. Field trips also form an important component of many of our taught courses: Stonehenge, Flag Fen, Verulamium and Kenilworth Castle are examples of the places we have visited in previous years. We even have travel scholarships available within the School to help Ancient History students visit Classical sites in the Mediterranean. All students also have the opportunity to visit Rome on a field trip in the Second Year. Choosing Archaeology and Ancient History at Leicester gives you the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad. In all of our programmes you can transfer to a four-year degree in which you study for a year at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden or Malta. For study in Europe you will receive language training and an Erasmus grant (approx. €370 per month). As well as the academic opportunities that we provide, we give you many chances to enhance your employability. For more information see the Graduate Opportunities section.




BA Ancient History and Archaeology University of Leicester