Archaeology and Anthropology with Professional Placement BA (Hons)

Explore humanity from its earliest origins to the cultures and societies of today with our BA Archaeology and Anthropology with Professional Placement degree.This four-year, joint honours course combines archaeology’s examination of material evidence from our past and present with anthropology’s focus on human development and contemporary cultures and societies. Studying these two disciplines together allows you insight and understanding of what it means to be human.This understanding will be crucial in addressing issues critical to our shared global future.Using methodological approaches from the sciences, social sciences and humanities, you will examine the diversity of human experience. You will learn about the biological evolution of our earliest ancestors, the pre-historical and historical development of different cultures, and present-day ways of life and social issues.A professional placement allows you to apply – and increase – your academic knowledge while enhancing your employability.Previous placement students have analysed samples in labs, processed human remains, worked on hominin skeletal morphology, drawn archaeological finds, conducted collections-based research, studied the ecology of the Crusades through isotope analysis and faunal remains, investigated paleoclimate records, and participated in castle excavations in Spain.You can complete your placement with an employer in the UK or abroad, and take advantage of our connections with a range of organisations in the archaeological, heritage, planning and museum sectors, including:research institutionsgovernment organisationslocal planning authoritiesarchaeological consultanciesfield unitsarchivists.Alternatively, you may choose to complete a placement in a non-related business or industry to explore different career options.For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.Studying at ReadingDuring your studies, you will work with academics from our Department of Archaeology – and other experts from our School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science – who are passionate about reconstructing our past to influence our future.We provide a welcoming, friendly community. Our staff are approachable and aim to create a supportive learning environment, and lively student-led societies like RUined (Reading University Archaeology Society) offer a variety of social events and activities.Reading is ranked in the top 10 UK universities for Archaeology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2021), and we have an outstanding track record for student satisfaction, with scores consistently between 90-100% for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2010-2020.Your learning environmentOn this course you will learn through a combination of:field classes and fieldwork projectslectures and seminarslaboratory and other practical workplacements.Depending on your module choices, methods of assessment can range from fieldwork diaries and laboratory-based practical tests to article critiques and presentations.Your studies will encompass ethnographic approaches and case studies, and the study of social and scientific archaeology.In addition to excavation skills, you will also learn about surveying, GIS (geographical information systems) mapping, planning, and finds processing. Specialist fieldwork equipment will enrich and support your learning, as will access to our extensive collections of artefacts, biological and geological specimens, analytical IT software facilities, and diverse suite of laboratories. You will also have access to our three on-site museums and the University’s special collections.