Careers for archaeology graduates
With a degree from us your future could take you anywhere. Plenty of our graduates go on to work in archaeology, but the kind of analytical skills you develop studying here are a great starting point for a whole range of careers.
What can I do with an archaeology degree?
If you've got a passion for the subject, we'll help you become an expert. And the opportunities are there – around 5,000 people in Britain earn their living as archaeologists. Some are in universities, museums, archaeological units and heritage parks. Others work for national and local government. Together they continue to advance and deepen our understanding of civilisation.
And because our teaching combines scientific and arts-based approaches to archaeology, you'll get the best of both worlds. We asked a wide range of employers about the skills they value. Then we designed our courses to make sure our students develop them.
So if you don't pursue a job in archaeology then a whole range of other careers will be open to you. Some of our graduates have followed paths as diverse as:
- financial services
- retail and administration
- healthcare
- information technology
- environmental work
- journalism
- teaching
What skills will I learn?
How does a Sheffield archaeology degree qualify you for jobs like these? By developing skills like these:
- critical, analytical thinking – reading between the lines and interpreting data for yourself
- creative approaches to problem-solving – looking beyond the conventional ways of addressing an issue to find a new approach
- communication – explaining how you reach a conclusion, and dealing with questions and criticism
- teamwork and leadership – making sure colleagues are on board with an idea and collaborating effectively to make it work
To make sure you realise your potential, our careers staff are trained to help you recognise your strongest skills and personal attributes. We'll use this knowledge to help you promote yourself effectively when you apply for jobs or higher degrees. And even after you've left the University we'll support you with advice and references.
If that appeals to you, check out our range of courses to see which best suits your interests. Still got questions? Discover more about career options for archaeology graduates from the University's Careers Service.