COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA Archaeology and History degree at the University of Reading provides an integrated study of the human past, combining archaeological methods with historical analysis to develop a comprehensive understanding of human societies over time. In the first year, students examine major themes such as “Revolutions and Transitions,” exploring human development from the earliest ancestors around six million years ago to the present day, alongside “Archaeology Today,” which introduces modern fieldwork techniques, excavation practices, and post-excavation analysis used in the UK and beyond. These are studied alongside foundational history modules such as “Perspectives in History,” which introduces key historiographical debates, methodologies, and theoretical approaches, and “Making History and You,” which develops essential academic skills in research, writing, and critical evaluation. In the second year, students choose from a range of specialised archaeology and history options, allowing them to tailor their degree to their interests and career aspirations while gaining deeper disciplinary expertise. In the final year, students complete an independent dissertation in either Archaeology or History, undertaking original research supported by academic supervision. This project allows them to apply advanced analytical, methodological, and interpretative skills to a focused topic. Overall, the programme equips students with strong research abilities, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary insight into both material and documentary evidence of the past.