BA Archaeology and Anthropology / Course details

Archaeology is the study of past peoples through the remains they leave behind - artefacts, architecture and landscapes, whilst anthropology provides us with the frameworks to understand living societies. The two disciplines complement each other well, bridging the study of past and present humanity.

You will develop an understanding of archaeological and anthropological theory, method and interpretation while learning the critical skills needed to explore the regional and global diversity of the material record and social and cultural life, using comparative, cross-cultural and cross-temporal methods.

In Anthropology, you will be particularly encouraged to use your knowledge of cultural diversity to challenge established assumptions embedded within the cultural systems, as well as within 'western' knowledge, practices and theoretical paradigms.

In Archaeology, you will develop a critical understanding of the place and importance of archaeology and material heritage in contemporary society, including the issues and controversies that they provoke.

Most importantly, this course trains you to think both anthropologically and archaeologically.

Experience digs in the UK and abroad

Fieldwork training is an integral part of our course throughout the degree, and you'll be introduced to excavation techniques by experienced archaeologists.

Placement year option

Apply your subject-specific knowledge in a real-world context through a placement year in your third year of study, enabling you to enhance your employment prospects, clarify your career goals and build your external networks.

Study abroad

You may apply to spend one semester studying abroad during Year 2. You'll have the opportunity to join research teams and help make discoveries that shape our knowledge of the world.

Destination-specific specialisms could support research on Inuit material culture, Australian rock art, or Scandinavian hoards enriching your final year dissertation.

Explore in-depth collections on campus

Discover artefacts, architecture, ancient texts and beliefs using our well-equipped laboratories, our own departmental teaching collections and the exclusive archives and curatorial expertise of Manchester Museum .

Outreach and engagement

You'll also have the opportunity to share your passion for archaeology through community and public engagement projects.

You'll benefit from a breadth of teaching methods designed to develop your transferable skills, including:

• tutorials;
• seminars;
• laboratory sessions;
• lectures;
• fieldwork;
• group exercises;
• presentations;
• reports;
• one to one academic support sessions;
• original research guided by academic tutors.

Subsidised fieldwork includes one-day site visits as well as extensive periods of excavation in a wide range of locations, such as Herefordshire, Yorkshire and Scotland.

You'll also learn within our archaeological labs, where you'll be trained to use a wide range of equipment to analyse and record objects. You can access training in digital illustration and GIS packages to support this activity, while you can make use of landscape survey and geophysics equipment for fieldwork.

Assessment methods may include:

• written examinations;
• coursework essays;
• research reports;
• practical tests;
• fieldwork workbooks;
• individual projects;
• oral presentations;
• third year dissertation;
• digital posters;
• audio performances.

In addition, archaeology field training involves a variety of assessment over a range of skills and techniques.

Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum is home to important prehistoric, classical and ethnographic collections.

You'll go behind the scenes to handle, analyse and interpret rare artefacts, including one of the finest Egyptology collections in Britain.

Our ongoing collaboration between the museum and the global work of archaeology staff offers unique opportunities for students to get involved in the design of major exhibitions.

Whitworth Art Gallery

The Whitworth Art Gallery holds important archaeological textile collections, and art and sculpture on themes such as landscape as part of its broader internationally significant collections.

The Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology

The Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology is home to a film library with some 1,500 titles, from classic ethnographic film to contemporary documentary and world cinema.

Archaeological laboratories

You'll learn within our archaeological labs, where you'll use microscopes, digital cameras, delicate measuring equipment and portable XRF to analyse and record objects. You can also access training in digital illustration and GIS packages to support this activity and loan landscape survey and geophysics equipment for fieldwork. Our labs are supported by a dedicated technician who can offer training and assistance.

Field survey equipment

Equipment to support your studies includes three total stations and a traverse kit, a sub metre GPS survey system, a drone and professional photography equipment. Several of our lab-based resources can also be used in the field, including our PXRF instrument, ProScope and 3D scanner.

Find out more on the facilities page.