The University of Sheffield
Department of Archaeology

Undergraduate study in archaeology

Undergraduate study in archaeology

Study archaeology, and you'll discover the story of humanity over the past five million years – and you'll write your own chapter. You'll share your understanding with others, and by doing this you'll help local communities to make sense of their origins, and get a sense of their place in the wider world.

We offer four different degrees in archaeology for undergraduates, as well as options to combine your study with another subject. Check out our range of courses to see which is right for you.

 

The highest standards – in a friendly community

We're one of the most widely respected archaeology departments in Britain, with world-class research and researchers. But Sheffield is no ivory tower university – and archaeology is a subject where academics and students famously get their hands dirty together.

So study with us and you'll be part of a community of learning. You'll contribute to group projects, collaborate on fieldwork and share your views and findings in a supportive, sociable environment.

And as an archaeology student at Sheffield you'll develop thinking skills that don't just shed light on the past. These are practical skills for a rewarding career, so they'll unlock a whole world of futures too.

Entry requirements

Archaeology is a discipline which covers many areas and requires many skills. Because of this we recruit students from a range of backgrounds who have studied a range of subjects including history, geography, anthropology and the sciences. For more details on our entry requirements click here.

Need to know more?

  • Come to one of our open days and you'll get a great feel for the department, the University and the city. Tour our superb purpose-built research labs, chat to our staff, and get your hands on some old bones.
  • Our approach to archaeology combines scientific perspective with insights from the arts and humanities to give a unique 360-degree view on the subject.
  • We travel across the globe to make advances in archaeology. Join us and you could study abroad or staff a research project anywhere from Russia to Turkey to South Africa.
  • All our students are assigned a personal tutor, to meet with at least four times a year and discuss whatever academic and personal issues they like.
  • You'll learn through a range of teaching methods: as well as hands-on fieldwork, there are lectures and seminars, practical classes, independent study, work placements and one-to-one tutorials.
  • Through our community outreach programme you'll take archaeology out of the University and into the city, bringing the subject to life for local people and giving extra meaning to your work.
  • Our degrees form the bedrock of a solid career. We teach the skills which employers value the most, and our graduates go on to a variety of careers, both within and beyond the subject.
  • Study at Sheffield and you'll live in the UK's number one city for student life.

Meet the students

Join our department and you'll soon be off on fieldwork like the students in the video above. Watch them present fascinating findings and footage from our recent project at Cresswell Crags in Derbyshire.

You'll also spend time in the department studying a wide range of modules, and have the opportunity to get hands-on with materials in our specialist labs (see right).

See also

Your archaeology course
Open days
Contact us

Department of Archaeology home page