About this course

Explore how our ancestors engaged with the world, and gain a fascinating insight into what it means to be human. Studying archaeology and anthropology combines aspects of the humanities and the sciences. You'll study global human diversity in time and space, in a truly interdisciplinary way. Along with studying the theoretical background, you'll do fieldwork as part of an active research project in the UK or abroad.

Our BA Archaeology and Anthropology degree gives teaches you how human societies came into being, how they have changed over time, and the underlying reasons for human diversity today.

This degree integrates the disciplines of archaeology (the study of the human past through its material remains) and anthropology, which is made up of:

social anthropology (exploring how people in different places create meaning and build communities)
anthropological linguistics (the study of humans through the languages they use)
biological anthropology (looking at the physiological and genetic diversity in present and past human and primate societies)

We have a purpose-built archaeology building, equipped with the latest science-based laboratories. On this anthropology and archaeology degree you'll gain hands-on experience with archaeological artefacts and materials, and receive the practical training needed for a career in archaeology or anthropology.

Our archaeology and anthropology degree courses give you the opportunity to study a minor subject alongside the main programme.

We’re also offering up to 10 bursaries of £1000 each to incoming students (subject to criteria). These are from the Terry Mason Bursary and the University of Southampton Archaeology Bursary Fund.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course location

This course is based at Avenue.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Download

ODT

Download 2024-25 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

A-levels

ABB to BBB

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBB and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 to 30 points overall with 16 to 15 points at Higher Level

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an A level Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB to BB in two A levels

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

The University aims to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds who we believe have the potential and motivation to succeed on our challenging programmes. We are committed to fair admissions and strive to ensure we give equal consideration to all applicants who possess the necessary knowledge and skills.

QCF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in an A level or Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB to BB in two A levels

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

A-levels

ABB to BBB

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBB and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
BBB to BBC

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 to 30 points overall with 16 to 15 points at Higher Level

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an A level Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB to BB in two A levels

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

The University aims to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds who we believe have the potential and motivation to succeed on our challenging programmes. We are committed to fair admissions and strive to ensure we give equal consideration to all applicants who possess the necessary knowledge and skills.

QCF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in an A level or Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB to BB in two A levels

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

You'll have the freedom to shape your degree to suit your interests. You do not need to compare archaeology vs anthropology and choose your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to personalise your course.

The wide range of modules cover the methods, approaches and techniques used to find out about and understand human societies. This includes:

archaeological prospection and excavation
the anthropological and archaeological analyses of artefacts, and human and animal remains
survey and ethnographic fieldwork techniques
statistical analysis of social data
the exploration and application of a broad range of anthropological ideas

Our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers you the chance to take optional modules outside of your chosen subject area. This allows you to personalise your education, to develop new skills and knowledge for your future. Topics range from how to live and work on the web to developing business skills to improve your chances of getting employment.

You can also take a language module, which may count towards your degree. These modules cover 10 languages and range from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level.

Year 1 overview

Compulsory modules will give you a grounding in archaeology and anthropology. These cover:

the development of archaeological and anthropological thought
the methods required for archaeological fieldwork
aspects of exploring other cultures

You'll also be able to choose from a range of optional modules across all aspects of archaeology and anthropology including:

human origins
ethnography of food and culture
elements of linguistics such as sound, structure and meaning
emergence of civilisation

Year 2 overview

You will develop your understanding of how archaeology and anthropology relate to the modern world. You'll study cosmology, ritual and belief. You'll also prepare for fieldwork with at least 3 weeks of practical experience in a field school or research project in the UK or overseas.

In addition to these compulsory modules, you can choose modules from a wide range of approaches and periods, including:

psycholinguistics
culture, communication and cognition
the Vikings
archaeological dating
scientific diving

Year 3 overview

In your final year, you'll develop your own specialist interest with a dissertation on a research topic of your choice across any aspect of archaeology or anthropology. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your planning, research, data collation, analysis, and communication skills.

You'll also take a further 6 modules from a wide range of options including:

sexuality and intimacy
molecular archaeology
ecology of human evolution
anthropology, film and representations of the 'other'

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Archaeological Methods for Fieldwork and Analysis

How do archaeologists find sites, gather data and proceed to make sense of archaeological traces? This module provides a detailed introduction to fieldwork methods and analysis, covering site prospection techniques (e.g., aerial photography and geophysica...

Exploring Other Cultures

We understand that few students have had the previous opportunity to study social and cultural anthropology. In this introductory module you will consider questions like: What is anthropology? What do anthropologists study? What is it like to do anthropol...

Introduction to Ethnography: Food and Culture

Biological science tells us what items in our world are potentially edible, but culture decides what constitutes food. Culture informs us as to whether a specific item is appropriate, appetising, valued, desirable, prohibited, restricted, staple or medici...

Introduction to Historical Archaeology

In a common analogy where the c.4.5 billion years of Earth's geological history are equated to a 24-hour day - modern humans appearing only within the last 4 seconds - written human history begins only in the last 100 milliseconds. That time, though, saw ...

The development of Archaeological and Anthropological Thought

As is well-known, archaeology has very strong connections with other disciplines. This module explores how the study of archaeology has developed over the centuries, both as a discipline in its own right and as a sister discipline within Anthropology. It ...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:

Ancient Sources in Context

The history of the ancient world is hugely significant for understanding subsequent periods of history and the origins of ideas and institutions of global significance. However, the nature of the ancient world continues to be highly debated due to the sou...

Applications of Linguistics

This unit will introduce you to the main areas relevant to applied language studies.

Applied Ethics

In both public and private life, we face difficult and pressing ethical questions every day. Should we give a proportion of our wealth to those in developing countries? Should we allow doctors to perform abortions or euthanasia and, if so, under what circ...

Debates and Issues in Archaeological Science

The application of scientific techniques is increasingly embedded in archaeological studies and is an area where the UK currently leads the world. Techniques such as dating methods, the use of isotopes to reconstruct past diet or human migrations and the ...

History Matters (Object, Image, Text)

History is not just about studying written documents and sources; historians examine the ‘stuff’ of history, including objects, images, and buildings which were made and used by people in the past. We can also ‘read’ these sources, if we know how to appro...

Landscapes and Seascapes of Britain’s Past

The landscapes and seascapes of Britain play host to one of the world’s most varied and intriguing archaeological records. With an occupational history spanning one million years, it tells a complex inter-twined story of social, physical and environmenta...

Political Philosophy

States impose many demands upon their citizens through the law and the magistrates and police who enforce it. But are there good reasons why citizens should comply with these demands, or do they act merely out of a fear of punishment? Some states we seem ...

Puzzles about Art and Literature

Both individuals and society attach great importance and value to certain works of art, including poems, novels, films, plays, symphonies, and paintings. Most of us spend a considerable amount of our limited time and resources acquiring, creating, experie...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

21%

Scheduled learning & teaching

79%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

coursework, laboratory reports and essays
dissertations
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written and practical exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

30%

Written exam

64%

Coursework

6%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

John McNabb is the course leader.

Careers

An archaeology and anthropology degree is excellent preparation for future employment. The course offers a balance of sciences and arts, and provides a range of both practical and intellectual components.

This degree prepares you for careers in anthropology, professional archaeology and in a range of areas, including:

museums and the heritage sector
cartography and aerial photography
animation and virtual reality graphic design
commerce and marketing
the NHS
financial services
local government

You'll also be welcome in a wide range of other sectors with this highly-respected degree that demonstrates your intellectual and problem-solving abilities, and includes transferable skills in:

teamwork
project management
evidence-based research

This degree is also a great foundation for further study at PhD level.

You'll get support from your personal academic tutor and an employability coordinator, who can advise you on your career path throughout your course.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £24,200.

The Government has recently announced changes to UK tuition fees from September 2025 onwards. We will update our website to reflect this shortly.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: V402
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Related courses

Archaeology and Anthropology (BA) is a course in the Archaeology subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

a

BA

Archaeology with Year Abroad

l

BA

Archaeology and Anthropology (BA)

About this course

Learn more about this subject area

Archaeology

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

For Academic year 202425

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Modules

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

Archaeological Methods for Fieldwork and Analysis

Exploring Other Cultures

Introduction to Ethnography: Food and Culture

Introduction to Historical Archaeology

The development of Archaeological and Anthropological Thought

Ancient Sources in Context

Applications of Linguistics

Applied Ethics

Debates and Issues in Archaeological Science

History Matters (Object, Image, Text)

Landscapes and Seascapes of Britain’s Past

Political Philosophy