History and Archaeology
FV41Do you want to dig deeper into the past to gain new ground-breaking insights? On this fascinating hands-on degree you combine the study of both historical documents and archaeological remains in a quest for missing pieces of the historical canvas.
Course overview
Our committed team of expert historians and archaeologists are passionate about their subjects, which cover a broad range of past cultures and traditions. They will help you to mine the past seeking answers to pressing questions from the prehistoric to the modern period in Britain, mainland Europe, and beyond.
This dynamic, multi-disciplinary course encourages you to critically evaluate historical sources and archaeological information and assess their value to our understanding of the past.
In Year 1, you examine the theory and practice of archaeology. You study the archaeology of the historic and prehistoric periods; the methods and nature of history as a discipline in small groups, and gain an insight into a variety of historical periods and cultures. You will visit historical and archaeological sites and museums as part of your modules.
Building on the firm foundation laid in the first year, in Year 2, you may choose to focus your studies on a range of historical themes or societies, while also studying the archaeology of one or more European archaeological periods. You develop an understanding of research skills, theoretical approaches, and knowledge in preparation for Year 3.
In Year 3, you will undertake an independent project which may include both archaeological and historical evidence based on a topic of the your choice. Optional Modules this year cover areas from religion, human conflict, contested history, heritage, abuses of history in the public sphere and histories on screen.
As part of the course, there are opportunities for you to visit archaeological sites and get involved in departmental research, which allows you to work in new laboratories and use a range of specialist surveying equipment.
You are required to attend a two-week period of archaeological fieldwork during the first summer vacation, which can be on any of the department’s projects. In recent years these have included projects in Hampshire and the South West, as well as international research projects in Barbados, Georgia, Belgium, Germany and Greece.
It is the complementary, yet different, nature of these disciplines that makes this degree so challenging and exciting. It gives you excellent research, analysis and creative presentation skills and demonstrates that you can work collaboratively.
What you need to know
Course start date
September
Location
On campus
Course length
- 3 years full-time
- 6 years part-time
Apply
FV41
Typical offer
96-112 points
Fees
From £9,250 pa
Course features
- Choose from a wide range of themes and periods.
- Develop deep theoretical and cultural knowledge sought after by employers in many industries.
- Combine historical and archaeological evidence in your studies to achieve a broad and fulfilling view of the past.
- Explore the rich archaeological and historical heritage of Wessex
Course details
Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.
You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.
In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars etc.), you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.
Independent learning
Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.
While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.
Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
- Teaching, learning and assessment: 216 hours
- Independent learning: 984 hours
Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
- Teaching, learning and assessment: 276 hours
- Independent learning: 924 hours
Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
- Teaching, learning and assessment: 192 hours
- Independent learning: 1008 hours
*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.
Teaching Hours
All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.
Assessments
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:
Year 1 (Level 4)*:
- 47% coursework
- 38% written exams
- 15% practical assessment
Year 2 (Level 5)*:
- 79% coursework
- 13% written exams
- 8% practical assessment
Year 3 (Level 6)*:
- 47% coursework
- 40% written exams
- 13% practical assessment
*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.
Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Modules
Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions
Modules
This module introduces students to the core skills required to study history successfully at degree level, developing their skills as independent researchers and building confidence with both primary and secondary sources.
This module examines key themes, events and ‘turning points' in world and global history from the Classical world to the present day.
The focus of the module is introducing the student to the distinctive character of archaeology as an academic discipline, both in terms of theory and practice. Topics examined will include the development of the subject and its relationship with other cognate disciplines, relative and absolute chronology, different specialisms within archaeology, the relationship between data recovery techniques and the deduction of interpretations, and the importance of material culture.
An exploration of the archaeological evidence for ancient societies and civilizations from earliest prehistory through to the contemporary period.
Modules
History in Practice introduces students to some of the most influential and significant developments that have shaped the ways in which historians think and write about the past. It will then consider the planning and preparation of research and the methods and skills used, with particular reference to – but not sole consideration of – the dissertation.
Through the critical study of sources this modules explores the past through various chronological, geographical, cultural, political, economic and social contexts.
The module comprises four weeks of archaeological fieldwork, to be undertaken on one of the field projects run by the Archaeology Programme, within which the student might be involved in excavation or other field-based tasks. Students can expect to learn a variety of essential archaeological field skills, depending on the nature of the project they are participating in. This will be followed by a 12 week post-excavation course that will explore methods of archive collation and analysis.
Theory and Research in Archaeology - 30 credits
A consideration of the application of research methods and theoretical approaches to the study of the past.
The Archaeology of Britain - 30 credits
An exploration of the archaeology of Britain from prehistory to the modern period, illustrated with case studies and key sites and monuments.
Modules
Depth Study is the most detailed and exacting part of the taught History programme. It is firmly grounded on a thorough understanding of the pertinent primary and secondary sources and thus represent the culmination of the taught course.
Students can choose Dissertation in History OR Extended Independent Study in Archaeology .
The Dissertation (Extended Independent Study) is an 8,000 -10,000 thesis on a subject of a student’s choice. It makes an original contribution to historical knowledge and understanding.
10,000 word dissertation on a topic or theme.
Rites Religions and Ritual - 30 credits
This module examines the ranges of approaches, methods and themes relating to the study of religion, ritual and belief in past societies
The Archaeology of Conflict - 30 credits
The module examines the origins and development of human conflict. Based on the archaeological evidence, alternative approaches to conflict such as evolutionary psychology and military history will also be discussed. The legacy of conflict will be explored through an examination of physical and cultural heritage, memorialisation and current approaches to dark heritage.
Contested History - 30 credits
Contested History allows students to engage with the histories of under-represented and marginalised groups and to challenge accepted, often Eurocentric, historical narratives
History and Heritage - 15 credits
This module will explore the various ways in which history and heritage interrelates.
Histories on Screen - 15 credits
This module will consider a number of films and television programmes that draw from different historical settings and case studies.
The Past Matters - 15 credits
This module introduces students to the uses and abuses of history in the public sphere.
Entry requirements
Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:
- A-Levels: CCC-BBC from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points)
- BTEC/CTEC: MMM-DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications
- International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4
- T Level: Pass (C or above on the core) in a T Level
Additionally, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.
In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSE’s are required:
GCSE English Language at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further.
If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on their website which may be of interest.
If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:
- IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
- We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT
If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk or calling +44 (0)1962 827023.
2025 Course Tuition Fees
| UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland |
International |
|
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Year 2 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Year 3 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Total | £27,750 | £50,100 |
| Optional Sandwich Year* | £1,850 | £3,340 |
| Total with Sandwich Year | £29,600 | £53,440 |
Additional tuition fee information
If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2025, the first year will cost you £9,250**. Based on this fee level, the indicative fees for a three-year degree would be £27,750 for UK students.
Remember, you don’t have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year.
UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £77.08 and a 15 credit module is £1,156. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £6,935.
International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £139.14 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.
* Please note that not all courses offer an optional sandwich year.
**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.
Additional costs
As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.
There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:
Mandatory
Excavation
Students are required to undertake two weeks compulsory fieldwork which takes place over the summer after Year 1, at one of the Department's local research/ training projects. These local projects have no direct costs for student participants, but students may need to pay for their travel.
Optional
Field Trip
Placement
Students will have the option to undertake a History Volunteering Placement in their second year of study. This will normally consist of 12 visits, and additional costs for travel will need to be covered by the student. Indicative costs: £0 - £300.
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS
We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards page.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Graduates have entered fulfilling historical and archaeological careers as teachers, in museums, heritage sites, archives and local authorities. However, the programme also provides a wide range of skills that are highly relevant to a number of other careers, such as conservation, education and the civil service. Our graduates are highly sought after by employers in all industries, who value their deep theoretical and cultural knowledge.
The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment or further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023, HESA.
Pre-approved for a Masters
University of Winchester students studying Bachelor Honours degrees are pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible students must apply by the end of March in their final year and meet the entry requirements of their chosen Masters degree.
OUR CAREERS SERVICE
“This is the place where you get to experience everything that archaeology is about.”
