Archaeology and Anthropology, BA (Hons), with industry placement

Discover humanity's evolution from ancient origins to modern societies through the University of Reading's BA in Archaeology and Anthropology with Professional Placement. Ranked in the top 100 globally for Archaeology (QS World Rankings by Subject, 2023), and first in the UK for research quality (Times Higher Education, based on REF 2021), this four-year joint honours programme integrates archaeological analysis of material evidence with anthropological insights into human development and contemporary cultures. It equips students to tackle global challenges such as environmental change, inequality, migration, and sustainability by examining human behaviour, biological evolution, and cultural diversity through scientific, social, and humanistic methods.Students engage in fieldwork, lectures, seminars, and practical assessments, analysing material culture, biological and ethnographic evidence, and theoretical perspectives. The programme includes a professional placement in the third year, allowing application of knowledge in real-world settings like labs, excavations, or heritage organisations in the UK or abroad. Core modules cover topics from human journeys through history to contemporary social issues, enhancing employability and understanding of past and present societies.

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.