Undergraduate Information

Archaeology is the study of past societies through their material remains. These include landscapes, buildings, artefacts, burials, and environmental evidence. The discipline of archaeology is not restricted in time or space; the time frame ranges from the origin of humans to today, and may be on a global scale. Methods include excavation, survey, and artefact studies and utilise a range of scientific and theoretical approaches. Archaeology is interdisciplinary, bridging the arts, social sciences and science.

Anthropology is the comparative study of human societies. Social and cultural anthropology look mainly at contemporary societies, at what they have in common and what makes them different from one another. Biological anthropology is the study of human beings as a species, and includes hominid and primate evolution, primate behaviour, population genetics and demography, and forensic anthropology. Like archaeology, anthropology is an interdisciplinary subject, utilising scientific, social scientific and humanities theories, methods and perspectives.

Undergraduate Degree Programmes

The undergraduate programmes commencing October 2009 are:

• BA (Hons) Archaeology (Single Honours)
• BA (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology (Single Honours)
• BSc (Hons) / MSci Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences (Single Honours)
• BA (Hons) Ancient History and Archaeology (Joint Honours)
• BA (Hons) Archaeological Studies (Single Honours; NB: this degree is part-time only, and admission is through the department directly, and not via UCAS)

At Bristol, all our programmes introduce students to the practice, theory and history of their programme disciplines. Each programme aims to equip students with the ability to handle complex data sets and concepts, and to interpret material and literary evidence with lucidity.

Each degree structure is modular. There are core units each year that comprise both theory and practice. These are combined with optional units in more specialised periods and regions, from human origins to today, and include Britain, Europe, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Africa and the Americas. We also provide units on methods, such as human osteology, environmental archaeology, and ceramic analysis. Students can also choose open units from other departments and faculties within the University. Students write a dissertation on an original topic in their final year.

In addition, there is a programme of visits to major monuments and collections within easy reach of Bristol. The last three weeks of the academic year are devoted to fieldwork, which has recently included the excavations at medieval Berkeley Castle, prehistoric South Cadbury and participant observation among Bristol residents. These give students the opportunity to put theory into practice without infringing upon summer plans.  Students can also spend a year abroad studying at another institution (for opportunitites, see the International Office).

Teaching, Assessment and Progress

Full-time students are required to carry 120 credits each academic year. Units in the Department are generally worth 10 or 20 credits and are primarily lecture-based, although a number incorporate practical elements, such as laboratory or museum work, and field trips. Students are required to attend all lectures and practical sessions and to submit written work on time. Units may be assessed on the basis of essays, exams, notebooks, lab reports, oral and poster presentations, or any combination of these. Students begin to give seminar presentations during the second year, and nearly all third year options are seminar-based. Students must pass their unit assessments in order to progress to the next year of study.

Careers

Our degree programmes offer students the chance to learn a variety of analytical, practical and social skills that are readily transferred to many types of work, and our former students have gone on to a wide range of careers. Many are now undertaking further research in archaeology, anthropology and related disciplines. A number have found employment with local archaeological units, museums and heritage centres, as well as in the media, leading auction houses, publishing and teaching. Since our programmes offer a strong background in written and oral presentations, team-working experience, and other transferable skills, our students have also successfully entered other professions, including management, law, accountancy, computing, commerce, the medical and health professions, social work, the media, law enforcement, international development work, and the Civil Service.