person holding roman artefact person holding roman artefact

Course Summary

Study the human past in all its diversity while learning the skills that will ensure future career success. 

Archaeology is the study of the human past, from the hunter-gatherers of Ice Age Europe to the inhabitants of early modern cities. Discover what life was like for these past societies and learn the techniques and approaches that we use to study them. You will have access to modern research facilities; our laboratory is equipped for the analysis of human remains and environmental samples, facilities for experimental archaeology and artefact recording, and state-of-the-art computer suites. Modules include field trips to sites, monuments and museums across North West England and Wales. 

Study a thousand years of local, national and international history. With themes ranging from identity, race and ethnicity to politics and justice, from leisure and the landscape to war, conflict and social change, encompassing a wide variety of embedded skills. 

From Medieval to Modern, from local to global, we embrace a range of approaches including social, cultural and political history but also the study of material culture, digital humanities and the application of history in a practical context to help develop your employability prospects. By challenging existing narratives about the past, you will be encouraged to think critically about how and why these narratives have developed. You will explore important themes and issues relating to race, diversity, gender, imperialism, conflict and climate change.  

Our exciting course offers not only an exploration of the past but also a gateway to your future.  

Why you'll Love it

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Barry Taylor

Senior Lecturer in Archaeology
Dr Barry Taylor

Dr Kara Critchell

Senior Lecturer in History; Programme Leader BA History
Dr Kara Critchell

How you'll Learn

Our teaching comprises a mixture of lectures, seminars, site visits and practical workshops. Some modules will also involve a larger element of practical work, undertaken in either the field or the laboratory. 

Assessment for Archaeology is varied: written work in the form of essays, reports and portfolios, oral presentations, and examinations all feature. In all cases, our assessment develops and enhances your key employability skills. 

You will be assessed through a wide range of coursework methods for History, all of which are designed not only to test your understanding of history but also to allow you to develop and demonstrate skills that are essential for success after university. These include essays, source analyses, literature reviews and oral presentations, but also reflective exercises, digital assignments including video essays and other digital media, poster presentations and portfolios. There are no exams on our History course. 

Beyond the Classroom

On this course, you have the option of carrying out a four-week training excavation in the Easter term of Year 2, where you will learn the practical techniques of archaeological fieldwork. You may also have the opportunity to work on excavations carried out by members of staff in the summer.  

On this course, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake an Experiential Learning module, where you will gain first-hand experience.  Illustrative examples of experiences that might be undertaken include excavation, finds recording and analysis, other fieldwork and placements within heritage or government archaeological bodies or museums. 

Our Experiential Overseas Learning module offers a unique opportunity to participate in a short-term placement (of at least 150 hours) around the world. 
 
This course offers the exciting opportunity to study abroad for a full academic year.   
 
Whilst abroad: 
 
Students will undertake study at one of our partner universities; it is expected that students will choose a series of modules at the university abroad, which accrue at least (100 credits; 50 ECTS). 
 
Additional subjects may be taken, but these can only be used for credit if the university abroad assigns ECTS credits to them (i.e., if students pass all the required assessments associated with the relevant module at the university abroad). 

Entry Requirements

112 UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

112 points 

GCE A Level 

Typical offer - BCC-BBC. Must include either Ancient History, Classical Civilisation, History, Politics or Sociology

BTEC 

Considered alongside one of the A Level subjects above

International Baccalaureate 

26 points, including 5 in HL History 

Irish / Scottish Highers 

Irish Highers: H3 H3 H3 H3 H4 including H3 in History

Scottish Highers: BBBB including History

Access requirements 

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above (including 15 in History)

T Level

Considered alongside one of the A Level subjects above

OCR Cambridge Technicals

Considered alongside one of the A Level subjects above

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer.  We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements:

  • IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
  • Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For those who do not have IELTS or an acceptable in-country English language qualification, the University of Chester has developed its own online English language test which applicants can take for just £50.

For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Where you'll study Exton Park, Chester

Fees and Funding

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2024/25 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU starting in or after the 2021/22 academic year will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

£13,950 per year (2024/25)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £13,950. 

This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.  

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees & Finance section of our website.

 

Your future Career

Job prospects

The varied experiences gained over the degree course makes archaeology graduates desirable to recruiters because of the diversity of their transferrable skills. Graduates go on to work in a broad range of sectors including heritage; media; IT; journalism; advertising and marketing; law; finance; government/civil service; education; tourism; conservation and environment; and forensics. 

History graduates from Chester have pursued a wide range of careers reflecting the excellent transferable skills offered by a History degree, including - amongst many others - careers in teaching, law, the civil service, publishing, business, IT and research. 

Progression Options

  • Archaeology and Heritage Practice MA
  • Secondary (Lead School Partner Route) PGCE with QTS

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.