Overview:
The Department of Archaeology offers a diverse course that covers Archaeology, Assyriology, Biological Anthropology, and Egyptology. This degree programme provides students with flexibility. They can either choose to specialise from Year 1 or explore a broader foundation before focusing on up to two subjects in the second year.
Archaeology delves into the human past by examining material evidence, from molecules to monumental structures.
Assyriology explores the languages, cultures, history, and archaeology of ancient Mesopotamia, including Sumer, Babylonia, and Assyria.
Biological Anthropology investigates human evolution, diversity, biology, behavior, and the interplay between biology and culture.
Lastly, Egyptology encompasses the study of ancient Egypt’s history, languages, society, archaeology, and religion.
The department’s teaching and resources are dynamic and extensive. Students engage in cutting-edge research, from deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs to exploring the impact of plague in medieval Cambridge.
They have access to dedicated field units, IT facilities, well-equipped laboratories, and comprehensive libraries. Furthermore, the department provides access to world-renowned collections. These include the Duckworth Collection, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, and the Fitzwilliam Museum, offering a wealth of primary sources for research and study.
Cambridge Archaeology: Entrance Requirements
| UCAS Code | V400 |
| Minimum Entrance Requirements | A-levels – A*AA IB – 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Admission Test for Archaeology at Cambridge | All colleges will ask you to take an assessment to study Archaeology. The assessment date is usually at the end of November. Please see the College Admission Assessments page for more details. The assessment is based on questions related to four images and lasts for 1 hour. See an Archaeology Admissions Assessment Sample Paper here. |
| Subject Requirements – Archaeologyat Cambridge | None specific – any courses which could include arts, humanities, sciences or social sciences would be helpful in preparations. |
| Extras things admission tutors look for | You are required to submit one piece of written work prior to interview. However, this should be in essay format (not science coursework or a timed exam) with a word limit of up to 1500 words. The work can be extracted from an EPQ. |
| Duration | 3 years – BA (Hons) |
| Admissions Statistics | Applications per place: 3 Number accepted: 21 |
| What is Archaeology at Cambridge? | Archaeology at Cambridge is a multi-faceted programme that empowers students to explore and understand the human past through material evidence. This ranges from molecules to monumental structures. Furthermore, the department’s emphasis on research involvement, fieldwork, and projects enables students to actively participate in cutting-edge archaeological investigations. This could include anything from studying the behavior of chimpanzees to translating Egyptian hieroglyphs. Moreover, the course provides students with access to excellent resources, including a dedicated professional field unit, well-equipped IT facilities, specialised laboratories, and extensive libraries. Students also have access to significant collections, fostering a comprehensive and enriched learning experience. |
| Cambridge Colleges that offer Archaeology | Available at all Colleges except Queens’ |
| Structure of the Archaeology at Cambridge | You have between six and eight lectures and one or two supervisions each week. You may also have language classes, seminars and/or practicals. Year 1 You pick three from several core archaeology, language and biological anthropology options. Finally, your fourth can be another core subject paper. Alternatively, you can choose a psychology, social anthropology, politics and international relations or sociology option. Year 2 & 3 You can pursue one of four single-subject tracks. The tracks can also be combined, allowing you to study Archaeology and Biological Anthropology or Assyriology and Egyptology. |
| Common Careers after Archaeology at Cambridge | Graduates of Archaeology at Cambridge secure opportunities in: Commercial Archaeology, Heritage organisations such as the National Trust and Historic England, Law, Advertising, Media, Conservation, Health and further academic study |
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