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Archaeology and History

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • October 2026
  • Undergraduate
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Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Explore the richness and variety of past human experience, and discover its influence on our present and future, with our BA Archaeology and History degree.

As a joint degree student, your programme is shared with the Department of History, which is known for its educational excellence and research innovation. Teaching staff are experts in a broad range of fields. Their expertise covers political, cultural, social, gender and transnational history, the history of ideas and beliefs, and the history of science and health.

In your archaeological studies, you’ll study material remains to uncover our human past, from as early as the first hominins millions of years ago. Your historical studies will span the last thousand years, with a broad geographical spread that covers Britain and Europe, Africa, America, the Middle East and South Asia. You’ll examine historical records and explore visual and material culture through texts, paintings, photographs, films and oral sources.

For more information, please visit the programme page: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/archaeology-ug/ba-archaeology-and-history

Modules

Modules may include:

  • Archaeology Today: Methods and Practice
  • Doomsday Dystopias: Nuclear Disaster in the Cold War Imagination
  • Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death
  • Ancient Objects: Materials and Meanings
  • Changing the Face of the Earth: Past, Present and Future Sustainability.

Please note that all modules are subject to change. Check our website for more details about the course structure.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • October 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
VV14
Institution code:
R12
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Reading has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
VV14
Institution code:
R12
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level BBB

Including grade B in History or a humanities-based essay subject. Humanities-based essay subjects include: Classical Civilisation, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDM

including relevant history/humanities modules.

Access to HE Diploma D: 18 credits M: 27 credits

Including at least 12 level 3 credits in History or a humanities-based essay subject. Humanities-based essay subjects include: Classical Civilisation, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies.

Scottish Higher ABBBB

Including grade B in History or a humanities-based essay subject. Humanities-based essay subjects include: Classical Civilisation, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 30 points

Including higher level History or a humanities-based essay subject at grade 5. Humanities-based essay subjects include: Classical Civilisation, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies.

Extended Project B

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification provides to students for University study, we now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.  Eligible applicants would receive two offers,  our usual offer plus an alternative offer of a B in the EPQ and one grade lower in their A level subjects

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal M2, M2, M2

Including grade M2 in History or a humanities-based essay subject. Humanities-based essay subjects include: Classical Civilisation, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths C (or 4), English Language or English Literature C (or 4).

Contextual offers for this programme are typically two grades beneath our standard entry requirement, e.g. BCC including grade B in History or a humanities-based essay subject.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
TOEFL (iBT)88We require a minimum score of 88 overall with no less than 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking.
Cambridge English AdvancedBWe require a grade B or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCWe require a grade C or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162.
PTE Academic69We require a minimum score of 69 overall with at least 59 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
Institution's Own TestTest of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
Trinity ISEMeritWe require a Merit in each element from ISE II. If you take ISE III or ISE IV, we require a Pass in each element.

Full list of acceptable English Language Tests http://www.reading.ac.uk/ad-EnglishTests.aspx

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We issue offers to best fit the different circumstances and experiences of our applicants. We take a tailored and holistic approach, considering extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis. We recognise that some students are more likely than others to face barriers to fulfilling their academic potential at school, through no fault of their own. More information on our supportive offer making approaches can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/what-offer-will-i-get

Learn more on the University of Reading website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For Home students: please note that £9,535 is the minimum fee expected, this may increase subject to government approval.

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