Overview
Our degree in Archaeology integrates traditional archaeology with the practical application of scientific methods that are applied to today’s archaeology.
It is a professionally-focused degree in archaeology with a strong fieldwork component and a focus on human osteology or the environment.
Your degree pathway in the second and final years will comprise a number of compulsory core modules that characterise this combination of archaeology and applied archaeological science. We offer a number of clear pathways, which will provide you with a specialism in, for example, prehistoric archaeology or in cultural resource management.
The course is underpinned by the opportunity to undertake a placement and by a substantial individual research dissertation in a topic of your own choosing.
Professional accreditation
Students who have completed the placement year can apply for Associate Membership of the Institute for Archaeologists.
Rankings
We are ranked in the top 200 universities in the world for Archaeology in the 2019 QS World University Rankings by subject.
Sandwich year
The placement year gives you the opportunity to gain real experience and professional training within your degree in order to kick-start your career.
It is unique and valued throughout the archaeological world.
We have sent students to every continent over the 40 years the programme has been running.
Learning and assessment
Facilities
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We have a range of outstanding analytical facilities including:
- The Biological Anthropology Research Centre, which holds the largest collection of human skeletal remains in any archaeology department in the UK, including specimens from the Neolithic to the 19th century
- Three osteology laboratories; histology and microscopy laboratories
- A newly refurbished radiography suite with both traditional and digital radiography equipment
- We are a leading centre for multi-isotope analysis of archaeological materials including bone, teeth, hair, shell and pottery ‘foodcrusts’ through the analysis of the stable isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur
- Laboratories for archaeological geophysics; lithic microwear analysis; soils / biological processing, and environmental archaeology
- Dedicated Forensic Taphonomy and Conservation laboratories
- Dedicated Crime Scene House and Field Station at Oxenhope Moor
- Project work-rooms including the Iron Age Research Laboratory and the North Atlantic Research Laboratory
- New in-house Visualisation Suite encompasses a wide range of archaeological imaging and analysis capability
Study support
Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally.
We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment.
Our support services include:
- Personal tutors
- Disability services
- Counselling services
- MyBradford student support centres
- The Students’ Union
- Chaplaincy and faith advisers
- An on-campus nursery
- Halls wardens
We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus.
Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills.
Research
In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 70% of our research in Archaeological Sciences was found to be world leading or internationally excellent.
Archaeological Sciences at Bradford has a long-established reputation as one of the key centres for archaeological research in the UK. Bringing together staff from both Humanities and Science backgrounds within a single centre, we have created a powerful and distinctive research identity which blends cultural archaeology with cutting edge science.