Archaeology
Archaeology is the discipline that investigates the human past through the physical traces it has left behind: artefacts, bones, structures, landscapes, and the patterns visible in soil and sediment. Where history relies primarily on written records, archaeology extends the study of humanity back through hundreds of thousands of years before writing existed, and it continues to illuminate even the historical period by recovering the material dimensions of life that documents do not capture. It is a discipline that combines outdoor fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and theoretical interpretation, requiring both practical skill and the capacity to reason carefully from partial and ambiguous evidence.
At the University of Nottingham, this three-year, full-time degree offers a broad and intellectually rigorous engagement with the discipline, considering candidates individually from a wide range of educational backgrounds. A foundation year is available for students who benefit from additional preparation before entering the degree proper. You will study archaeological theory and method, excavation and survey techniques, the analysis of different classes of material evidence, and the human stories that the discipline reconstructs, ranging from prehistoric societies to the recent past.
Fieldwork is central to the learning experience, and you will develop practical skills alongside the analytical and writing competencies required for professional archaeological work.
Graduates of archaeology degrees go on to work in professional archaeology, heritage management, museum curation, conservation, environmental consulting, and education. Many also enter careers in the civil service, community development, publishing, journalism, and other fields where research and communication skills are valued. Postgraduate study in archaeology, heritage management, or a specialist area such as osteoarchaeology, environmental archaeology, or landscape studies is a common next step for those seeking advanced expertise or research careers.