BA Archaeology with Professional Placement

Explore the material remains of past societies – from the first hominins millions of years ago to the modern day – and develop skills in the workplace with our accredited BA Archaeology with Professional Placement degree.

Archaeology is more than studying the past: it’s a discipline that actively prepares you for the job market. You’ll develop an impressive range of practical and academic skills, whether you want to move into the archaeology or heritage sectors or enter a wide range of other industries and careers.

More than 40 major infrastructure projects are planned across the UK over the next 17 years, and archaeologists are required for exploratory excavations and analysis before construction begins. A 2016 report from Historic England found that England's 3,000-person commercial archaeology workforce will need to grow by 25% over the next six years to meet demand.

Many graduates from the Department of Archaeology use their breadth and depth of expertise across the humanities and sciences to enter careers such as teaching, policing, industry and commerce.

Over four years, you’ll learn how to investigate, interpret and present our human past.

Archaeology at Reading also allows you to put your learning into practice, through excavations, surveying or GIS (geographic information systems), and make a direct contribution to new subject knowledge.

At Reading, you’ll examine archaeological issues that are critical to our shared global future, including:

By studying human development, you’ll understand how critical issues of today have roots in the past, and how previous cultures tackled comparable problems.

We’ll support you to develop a broad range of subject-specific and transferable skills that span the humanities and sciences. Your learning will encompass:

Our wide range of optional modules allows you to shape your learning, focusing on the topics and periods that most interest you.

This degree includes an integrated professional placement between your second and final year. It offers a fantastic opportunity to enhance your employability, develop your skills and knowledge, and build your network.

Opportunities are available working across the archaeological, heritage, planning and museum sectors including: research institutions, government organisations, local planning authorities, archaeological consultancies, field units, specialists and archivists.

Previous placement students have:

Current and recent placement settings include:

You could also gain field-work experience through external organisations and placement providers, such as Grampus Heritage and Training Ltd – where students have previously worked in locations such as Germany and Cyprus – and Archaeological Research Services Ltd.  

As a placement year student, you are responsible for finding your placement. We have a dedicated member of staff who will provide you with advice and support throughout the process.

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

All archaeology degrees at Reading are also available with a variety of pathways, allowing you to tailor your degree depending on your interests and aspirations.

Our BA Archaeology degrees are accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA). Our courses were among the first courses to be recognised for providing key skills relevant to careers in the historic environment.

At Reading, you’ll be offered student membership of CIfA, giving you access to their e-learning modules, specialist professional networks and details of jobs in the profession. We also have very close links with a number of local and national museums.