BSc (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology · University of LancashireBachelor's degree · Duration varies
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University of Lancashire · Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology Bachelor's degree at the University of Lancashire

BSc (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology at University of Lancashire draws on core theory, research methods and applied practice, with opportunities to develop specialist knowledge through optional modules, an independent project and professional skills development.

BSc (Hons)
Award
Years
Part-time
Study mode
Main Campus
Location

About this course

Our Archaeology & Anthropology BSc is for you if you’re interested in the story of human beings, how we evolved & why we live in different societies. Read more. From the provider’s course page.

BSc (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Lancashire, based in Main Campus. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for History, see the sections below.

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year 1 5 modules
  • The Archaeology of BritainCompulsory
    Module details

    This module is designed to introduce you to the archaeology of the British Isles. It will begin with the evidence for the first inhabitants of Britain in the Palaeolithic and works through to the Industrial Revolution. It also encourages you to develop your communication skills, problem solving skills and skills in assessing information.

  • History of Archaeological ThoughtCompulsory
    Module details

    You will be introduced to the development of archaeology as an interpretive discipline. The module shows key theoretical shifts through time. As well as introduces key figures and sites which have shaped the discipline. You'll develop verbal and oral communication skills, problem solving skills and skills in accessing information.

  • Bones, Bodies and BurialCompulsory
    Module details

    Our module will introduce you to archaeology and anthropology of death through a series of case studies exploring different kinds of relevant evidence. You will study both biological and social data to understand the range of past human responses to death.

  • Introduction to Cultural AnthropologyCompulsory
    Module details

    In this module you will be introduced to the basic principles and methods of social and cultural anthropology. The module will give you an introduction to the history of the discipline, to anthropological methods and the distinctiveness of the anthropological study of modern society.

  • Field Archaeology 1Compulsory
    Module details

    The module aims to introduce you to the core skills in field archaeology and academic archaeological study. The module will give you the technical skills you need to study and undertake field archaeology and will provide an opportunity for working as part of a group whilst developing your academic skills.

Year 2 11 modules
  • Thinking about the past: Archaeological TheoryCompulsory
    Module details

    The aim of this module is to understand different ways of interpreting the archaeological record. It aims to show how archaeological theory works in practice through case studies. You'll use archaeological theory to inform and integrate your reading and writing.

  • Field Archaeology 2Compulsory
    Module details

    In this module you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to study archaeological research projects in a team. During the project you will be tested under new pressures and challenges of excavation.

  • Themes in British Archaeology 1Compulsory
    Module details

    In this module you will examine a range of key issues and themes in British archaeological research and occasionally the wider international setting. You will gain an understanding of the chronology of different archaeological time periods, current debates relating to British archaeology and some of the most recent developments in this field.

  • Archaeological MaterialsCompulsory
    Module details

    This module introduces you to the ways in which material from archaeological excavations can be used to investigate past and present societies. You will have the opportunity undertake your own research project.

  • World PrehistoryOptional
    Module details

    This Level 5 module explores how archaeology helps us understand prehistoric societies before large-scale hierarchical systems emerged. You'll examine global case studies from early hominids to the late Neolithic. You'll also look at how ethnography and modern foraging communities can (and can't) inform interpretations of the past. You'll also consider the influence of colonialism and historical trends in anthropology on these interpretations.

  • Forensic AnthropologyOptional
    Module details

    The module explores archaeological and forensic aspects of human remains recovery. You'll learn about human anatomy and skeletal biology. You'll identify physical characteristics, age, race, and sex of human skeletons. The module also examines injuries, pathology, and causes of death.

  • GeomaticsOptional
    Module details

    You'll learn about field collection, processing and reporting of geospatial and geophysical data. You will develop field research, computer analysis and data interpretation skills. You will gather data relevant to a range of archaeological, environmental, and investigative case studies. You'll learn geophysical survey techniques and topographic survey.

  • Archaeology and Anthropology of AnimalsOptional
    Module details

    In this module you will be introduced to the fundamentals of archaeology and anthropology in the study of animals. It will involve a mixture of lectures, lab practicals and discussion seminars.

  • The Archaeology of Death and the Dead BodyOptional
    Module details

    Our module will provide you with an underpinning knowledge in mortuary archaeology with a particular focus on encounters with death and the dead body. You will partake in a mixture of lectures and seminars, which will explore contemporary themes in archaeology through a range of case studies.

  • World Archaeology and ArtOptional
    Module details

    You'll learn about the study of art in the archaeological record. You'll critique the definition of art within prehistoric, non-western, and contemporary societies. You'll explore rock-art, portable art, body art, graffiti, art, and technology. You'll use Virtual Reality to explore art in an immersive environment.

  • Introduction to Professional PracticeOptional
    Module details

    You'll explore modern commercial archaeology, including practices, techniques, and philosophies. You'll enhance your fieldwork skills, delve into project management, and learn about post-excavation. Learning alongside professionals, you'll encounter real work scenarios when possible.

Year 3 4 modules
  • DissertationCompulsory
    Module details

    The aim of this module is to develop an independent piece of primary research of relevance to your course. You'll present your ideas, work, and conclusions in a range of appropriate ways that are transferable to the workplace.

  • Field Archaeology 3Compulsory
    Module details

    This module builds on your prior knowledge of archaeological fieldwork. You will develop skills needed to contribute to commercial or research excavations without direct supervision. You will have a four-week placement on an archaeological research project and will develop transferable team-working and time and work management skills.

  • Themes in British Archaeology 2Compulsory
    Module details

    In this module you will examine the issues in British archaeology. You will develop an understanding in British archaeology and be aware of some of the most recent ideas and developments in the field.

  • Applied Forensic Anthropology: Taphonomy and Human Remains RecoveryOptional
    Module details

    During this module you'll build on your knowledge of human skeletal anatomy, introducing key forensic aspects of the mechanical properties of bone and post-mortem bone modification. The module will aim to address issues of scientific taphonomic investigation outside the areas of post-mortem interval estimation and decomposition studies. Laboratory and field based exercises will allow you to put these theoretical concepts into practice with the emphasis on problem solving, applied practical skill

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

This course explores the story of human beings, how we evolved and why we live in different societies. A typical Archaeology and Anthropology degree builds from foundations to specialist depth. You'll usually begin with core modules such as The Historian's Craft (learning how historical arguments are constructed from sources and archives) and broad surveys across Medieval and Early Modern and Modern World History. In your second year, you'll move to focused study through primary sources, historiography and methods, and topics such as public history and heritage. By your final year, you'll undertake advanced specialist study and choose from specialisations such as modern history, medieval studies, global and imperial history, social and cultural approaches, public history and heritage, and archival research. You'll conclude with an original research dissertation based on primary evidence.

Who it's for

You're drawn to questions about human history, culture and evolution. You enjoy research and analytical thinking, and you want to understand how societies function and change. This course suits those with curiosity about diverse peoples and places, and an interest in how evidence, from artefacts to ethnographic observation, tells us about human experience. Part-time study means you can balance learning with other commitments, gaining in-depth knowledge at a pace that works for your circumstances.

University & format

This BSc (Hons) is taught part-time at the University of Lancashire's Main Campus in English. The University, founded in 1828, is a recognised UK degree-awarding body and holds Silver in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. It was.

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider

Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates

Open daysAttend our next Open Day

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

2026 entryLive availability check

Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.

Entry & how to get in

Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Lancashire's official course page for the current offer.

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
UCAS code4P49quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code 4P49). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by Apply directly to the provider

    Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Lancashire whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£17,325 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at University of Lancashire →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
Check providertuition used per year, no published course home fee, total not estimated
total borrowing, course length not published

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All University of Lancashire funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

Financial Support Package£500–£750 a year
Means-tested2026/27

Undergraduates from low-income households, subject to eligibility

How it worksAutomatic assessment after enrolment when Student Finance shares household-income data.
TimingNo separate application
Check eligibility →
Means-tested2026/27

Eligible undergraduate students with experience of care

How it worksApply through the Student Hub after enrolment.
TimingNine months after the academic year starts
Check eligibility →
Means-tested2026/27

Eligible undergraduate or taught-postgraduate unpaid carers

How it worksApply through the Student Hub after enrolment and provide evidence.
TimingNine months after the academic year starts
Check eligibility →
Sanctuary ScholarshipFee waiver + up to £5,000 a year
Means-tested2026/27

Forced migrants who are not eligible for student finance

How it worksComplete the university application form; an offer is not required to apply.
TimingCheck the current application form
Check eligibility →

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What History graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in history · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs History nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£23,500 – £31,000
After 3 years LEO
£20,400 – £28,800
After 5 years LEO
£25,500 – £36,000
national rangeaxis £19,000 – £37,500

National figures for History graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

Job market & outlook

How History graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across History courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where History graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Museums & archives
  • Heritage bodies
  • Schools
  • Civil service & media

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

University of Lancashire

All students23,865
International20.5%
Aged 25+43.6%

Historical, philosophical and religious studies across the UK

Students76,495
Aged 25+26.6%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Main Campus

2,263 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 753Anti Social Behaviour 464Shoplifting 194Criminal Damage Arson 169Public Order 166

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is History right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to University of Lancashire from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £17,325 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Lancashire’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Lancashire and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Set by the University of Lancashire. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
See the career and earnings data for History below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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