We welcome applications from students taking a wide range of A-Level subjects, in both the humanities and sciences. Most of the students who apply for an Archaeology degree do not have a previous qualification in archaeology. However, we do look for evidence of motivation and interest in the subject.

It is usually the case that most of our applicants have not had the opportunity to study or participate in archaeology during their schooling, so we do not assume that you have any previous knowledge of the subject. In our experience, applicants' backgrounds do not significantly affect their overall performance on our courses.What matters most is your overall academic quality, motivation, and interest.

We do not have any formal pre-requisites to apply for the Historical Archaeology, Heritage Studies, or the Archaeology BA or BSc degrees. We do require at least one A-level in science for entry onto the BSc in Bioarchaeology.  Generally, students applying for the BSc degrees may find it useful to have GCSE passes in the sciences, and one A-level or equivalent in a science subject.

We offer four different courses in Archaeology:

• BA in Archaeology
• BSc in Archaeology
• BA in Historical Archaeology
• BSc in Bioarchaeology

Please see the course descriptions for more information on each course. 

All applications for Home, EU, and International students must be received through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), so you must adhere to their deadlines.  Please see the University's How to Apply web pages and the UCAS site for relevant information.

If you are an overseas student, remember to be sure to allow sufficient time for your visa application to be processed, if a visa is required.

Whether or not you are offered a place on one of our courses depends upon a number of criteria. These include: your academic record, your personal statement, and your referees' comments on your abilities, experience, and motivation.

Please see our typical offers page for the most up-to-date information.

All applicants who receive an offer are invited to come to York to visit the Department and the University. Visits are arranged on several dates, generally between January and March. Each visit lasts about four hours, and provides you with an opportunity to meet staff and students, and learn more about the department.

Applicants for whom English is not a first language must also demonstrate an appropriate English language proficiency. This is usually done by means of an IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) score of 6.5 or greater, or a TOEFL Internet  (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 100 or greater.

Please provide the results of a recent IELTS or TOEFL test with your application forms if at all possible.  In the absence of an IELTS or TOEFL score, any offer of a place will be conditional upon you demonstrating an appropriate standard of English prior to the start of the course.

Of course. If you are thinking of applying to York, we encourage you to visit the University on one of the Open Days. Each department will have an information stand at these events, and you will be able to take home literature about our degrees, and speak to a few current staff and students. You will also be able to tour campus and the King's Manor.

If we make you an offer for an archaeology degree, you will be invited to a post-application visit to the department. This will be a more in-depth opportunity to see the environment of the department, hear presentations about our degree programs, and speak to a wider range of current staff and students.

We prefer you to visit on the organised Open Days, as you will then be able to experience the full planned program. However, if you are unable to make it to a set open day, there will be a few opportunities per term for individual visits. Please contact our admissions officer for further information.

Yes, certainly. Mature students typically make up 10-20% of our student population, and are often amongst our top performers. We encourage applications from mature students (i.e. aged over 21), who should apply through the normal UCAS system. Mature students bring a range of backgrounds and experience to the course, and mature applicants should be reassured that they typically will not be alone on the course. 

Entrance requirements for mature students take account of the range of backgrounds from which applicants come.  Some have A-levels taken many years previously, while others have HND or BTEC qualifications. Many are taking Access courses, which can be an excellent route back into education. We consider each case individually, and take account of relevant work experience.

If you want to take a gap year before beginning a course, by all means apply whilst you are still in your final year at school. We can make you an offer of a place, deferred for one year, so that you can go away knowing that you will start the course on your return.

We take approximately 80 undergraduates each year, spread between our four courses.

Go here for the current Home/EU and Overseas fee rates.

The Department does not offer any undergraduate funding, but the University offers several bursaries for low-income home students. Please see the further information about other University awards and maintenance loans/grants.

Overseas students are not eligible for the above awards and grants, but competitive scholarships for partial funding are offered through the International Office. See their website for details on how to apply.

Home/EU students, please see the website of the Student Loans Company for details. Overseas students should enquire with their own country's student loan programs.

There are no required additional costs, although you may choose to purchase some course books or your own archaeological clothing/equipment.

All new, single full-time undergraduates are guaranteed university-administered accommodation for their first year of study, provided they have accepted York as their firm choice by the appropriate deadline, and returned their accommodation application on time. Students who come to York through clearing or adjustment are not guaranteed accommodation, but the Accommodation Office will provide advice on finding accommodation in the private sector. Please see the Accommodation Office and undergraduate accommodation advice pages for more details.

With two universities, and several colleges, York has a large student population. Many students choose to move off campus after their first year. Fortunately, there is plenty of non-University accommodation available, and rents are reasonable.

The most popular areas of the city are Fulford, Heslington, South Bank, Bootham/Clifton, and Acomb. There is advice about Private Sector Housing at the Accommodation Office and Student Support Office Housing pages.