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  4. Heritage and Archaeology BA (Hons)

Heritage and Archaeology

BA (Hons)



Typical offer for 2021

Duration

UCAS code

Suitable for applications.

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Overview

Heritage past, present and future - sharing narratives and recognising identity to achieve cultural understanding

The study of heritage is vital for understanding our sense of identity and place. Heritage has widespread meaning; past, present and future narratives are interwoven with both physical features (landscapes, buildings, structures, monuments and objects), and more intangible practices based on oral traditions and living memory that enliven and enrich cultural experience (stories, traditions, crafts, food, dance, music and poetry).

Our new BA (Hons) in Heritage and Archaeology draws on the University of Bradford's cutting-edge archaeological research, where we are driving an understanding of heritage, archaeology and wellbeing, as well using innovative technologies to contribute to our understanding of the past and its value today.

The programme will span local, regional and global heritage, investigating new methods, and the value of heritage and for contemporary society across many cultural contexts. The programme is at the forefront of initiatives that recognise the importance of heritage and culture to future social cohesion and economic success by building a meaningful understanding of our diverse pasts.

In addition to vocational skills, studying Heritage and Archaeology will give you a broad range of transferable skills including problem solving, team working, and independent research, preparing you for a wide variety of careers, future study and research. We have over 40 years of success in delivering placements and employment with a very wide range of commercial and public sector partners.

Entry requirements

Typical offer - 112 UCAS tariff points.

We take into consideration a number of factors when assessing your application. It's not just about your grades; we take the time to understand your personal circumstances and make decisions based on your potential to thrive at university and beyond.

A levels

BBC - There are no specific subject requirements.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM - there are no specific subject requirements.

Applicants on Access Programmes

112 UCAS tariff points from an Access to Higher Education Diploma.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

112 UCAS tariff points.

Plus English Language and Literature A or English B.

Plus minimum of

GCSE English at grade C or 4 (equivalents accepted).

English language requirements

Minimum IELTS at 6.0 or the equivalent.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

Advanced entry

If you are currently studying at another university and would like to transfer to the University of Bradford, this course accepts students into the second or third year. This is called advanced entry

Applications for advanced entry will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must include an official transcript (not a screenshot of a portal), all module descriptors, and relevant qualifications. Module descriptors must include learning outcomes.

Applications must be submitted through UCAS and the required documents emailed along with your UCAS Personal ID no later than 31 August prior to the course starting in September. Relevant documents should be emailed to admissions@bradford.ac.uk

What you will study

The proposed curriculum, subject to approval, includes the study of:

First Year

  • Scientific Frameworks
  • Themes in World Archaeology
  • British Archaeology
  • Introduction to Archaeological Methods
  • Biological Anthropology: From Human Evolution to Forensic Anthropology
  • Field Recording Skills

Second Year

Core modules:

  • Archaeological Fieldwork
  • Heritage Management with GIS
  • Heritage and Culture

Optional modules:

  • Understanding Artefacts
  • Prehistoric Societies
  • Celts, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings
  • Bioarchaeology: Humans, Plants and Animals
  • Elective

Third Year

Core modules:

  • Dissertation
  • Heritage, Archaeology, and Contemporary Society

Optional modules:

  • Advanced Fieldwork
  • Bones, Bodies, and Burials
  • Landscapes, Climate, and Society
  • Current Research in Archaeological Sciences
  • Elective

Facilities

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We have a range of outstanding analytical facilities including:

  • A new in-house Visualisation Suite with a wide-ranging archaeological imaging and analysis capability
  • 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

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2021

Home: £9,250

International: £20,118

Additional costs

As part of this course you will be required to purchase:

  • a lab coat for working with human remains and artefacts worth £10,
  • outdoor waterproof work clothing (personal asset around £50) and outdoor waterproof safety work shoes (personal asset around £30)
  • tool kit (can be accumulated over time, personal asset around £50) 

There may also be costs associated with summer field work and field trips costing around £70.

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Career prospects

There is national and international demand for highly-trained heritage professionals. For instance, in the UK heritage professionals are in demand due to HS2 and the recent ‘new deal’ on infrastructure projects announced by Government to boost the economy post-COVID19. Internationally, heritage, and cultural resource management are growing sectors, particularly in the US and the developing world – notably in respect of GCRF development, particularly around climate change and palaeolandscapes.

The University of Bradford is a trusted brand in archaeology and heritage with our graduates in senior positions in the heritage sector, including:

  • Science Advisors with Historic England
  • Conservation and Scientific Research at The British Museum
  • Digital Documentation Manager with Historic Environment Scotland’s Conservation Directorate
  • Head of Archaeology at the National Trust and a senior heritage advisor with Natural England
  • Roles within Archaeology and Civil Engineering consultancies, as well as with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists

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

The University of Bradford has well-established international expertise in the field of Heritage and Archaeology.

The School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences brings together academic experts from both Humanities and Science backgrounds within a single centre, creating a powerful and distinctive research identity which blends cultural archaeology with cutting edge science.

Examples of our recent work include:

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.