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The Department of Archaeology is based in King’s Manor, a beautiful medieval building in the centre of York. Our modules for visiting students cover techniques for studying human chronology, from prehistory to the present day. As a visiting student at York you'll be fully integrated into academic life at a world-class, research-led university.

Undergraduate students

Academic requirements

You will need to show that you have sufficient knowledge and experience to study with us at the required level.

When you apply, please attach a personal statement to explain your level of familiarity with archaeological method and theory. Please make clear in your personal statement how you are qualified for these modules. You should reference previous study and fieldwork experience.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (the language requirements are part way down the page. The other requirements are not applicable).

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

Postgraduate students

Academic requirements

You should hold a good undergraduate degree (2:1 or first) in Archaeology or a related subject.

When you apply, please attach a personal statement to explain your level of familiarity with archaeological method and theory. You should reference previous study and fieldwork experience.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5, with a minimum of 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in all other components (the language requirements are part way down the page. The other requirements are not applicable).

For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.

Choosing your modules

The module list below is indicative of the modules which may be available during your study period. You are permitted to apply for second and third-year modules, but please note that not all Archaeology modules which are advertised in the Module Catalogue are available to Exchange and Visiting Students. Please also be aware that spaces on our second and third-year modules are very limited, and so you may not be able to study your first choice module.

We will contact you via email after you have accepted your place at York to discuss your module choices, and module registration will take place after enrolment.

Teaching schedule

You can study in our department for the following periods:

  • Full academic year
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2

Examination and assessment

Assessment is mainly by assignment submitted via the VLE. Prehistory to the Present has an examination in the Common Examination Periods in January. Alternate assessments may be available: please contact the Department to discuss this.

Start your application

Contact us

Caitlin Kitchener
International Officer and undergraduate contact

caitlin.kitchener@york.ac.uk

Helen Chan
Postgraduate contact

archaeology-pg@york.ac.uk

Undergraduate modules

Module Code Module Description Year / Stage Semester Assessment Type Credits ECTS
ARC00002C Artefacts and Materials 1 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00001C Prehistory to the Present 1 1 Multiple choice questions 20 10
ARC00011C Exploring Archaeology 1 1 Pre-recorded presentation 20 10
ARC00006C Introduction to Archaeological Science 1 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00005C Archaeological Theory 1 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00060I World Archaeology: The Late Prehistory of Egypt & the Fertile Crescent 2 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00071I World Archaeology: Settlements and Society 2 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00062I World Archaeology: Alpine Landscape Archaeology 2 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00059I Practical Skills: Field Archaeology Survey Skills 2 1 Exam 20 10
ARC00001I Practical Skills: Artefacts Analysis 2 1 Portfolio 20 10
ARC00025I Practical Skills: Buildings History 2 1 Portfolio 20 10
ARC00066I Practical Skills: Object Conservation 2 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00065I Practical Skills: Computational Archaeology 2 2 Portfolio 20 10
ARC00064I Practical Skills: Archaeobotany 2 2 Lab report 20 10
ARC00054I Practical Skills: Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture 2 2 Portfolio 20 10
ARC00063I Practical Skills: Illustration 2 2 Portfolio 20 10
ARC00067I Practical Skills: Archaeogaming 2 2 Portfolio 20 10
ARC00069I Issues in Archaeology and Heritage 2 2 Pre-recorded presentation 20 10
ARC00070I Interpreting Prehistory 2 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00073I Interpreting Historical Archaeology 2 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00078H Approaching Global Challenges: Archaeology and Heritage 3 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00083H Special Topic: Historic Houses 3 2 Pre-recorded presentation 20 10
ARC00082H Special Topic: Human Evolution 3 2 Pre-recorded presentation 20 10
ARC00081H Special Topic: The Development of Mediterranean Civilisations - A Landscape Archaeological Approach 3 2 Pre-recorded presentation 20 10
ARC00080H Special Topic: The Neolithic of Britain and Ireland 3 2 Pre-recorded presentation 20 10
ARC00079H Special Topic: The Archaeology of Africa 3 2 Pre-recorded presentation 20 10
ARC00018M Becoming Human: Evolving Minds and Societies PG 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00077M Debates in Funerary Archaeology PG 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00034M Ancient Biomolecules PG 1 Critical report 20 10
ARC00031M Animal bones for Archaeologists PG 1 Test and written report 20 10
ARC00087M Experimental Archaeology PG 1 Presentation 20 10
ARC00014M Histories of Conservation PG 1 Heritage statement 20 10
ARC00010M Researching & Analysing Historic Buildings PG 1 Historic Building Report 20 10
ARC00012M Heritage Principles and Concepts PG 1 Management Plan 20 10
ARC00134M Contemporary Issues in Museums PG 1 Pre-recorded presentation 20 10
ARC00131M Critical Approaches to Archaeological Practice PG 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00030M Mesolithic Life and Death PG 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00099M The Ancient Celts: Archaeology and Identity in Iron Age Europe PG 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00098M Roman Europe PG 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00022M Making the Nation PG 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00027M The Viking Age: People, Places, Things PG 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00130M Thinking through Material Culture PG 1 Essay 20 10
ARC00095M Sustainability I: definitions of sustainability & methods of assessment PG 1 Essay and briefing document 20 10
ARC00127M GIS and spatial analysis PG 1 Portfolio 20 10
ARC00119M Landscape survey and geophysics PG 1 Grey literature report and digital survey drawing 20 10
ARC00126M Prehistoric Art: Origins and Transitions PG 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00117M Zooarchaeology in Context PG 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00013M Museums, Audiences & Interpretation PG 2 Interpretation plan 20 10
ARC00100M Life and Death in Iron Age Britain and Ireland PG 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00097M Death, Burial and Commemoration in the Roman World PG 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00023M Archaeologies of Colonialism in the British Atlantic World PG 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00028M Medieval Settlement and Communities PG 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00069M Presenting Historic Houses PG 2 Pre-recorded presentation 20 10
ARC00011M Understanding & Interpreting Historic Buildings PG 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00015M Sustainable Conservation Challenges PG 2 Sustainability assessment report 20 10
ARC00096M Sustainability II: understanding sustainability as change through time PG 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00113M Artefacts and Materials Analysis PG 2 Essay 20 10
ARC00121M Understanding Archaeological Pottery PG 2 Report 20 10
ARC00122M Virtual Reality and 3D Modelling PG 2 Portfolio 20 10
ARC00123M Data Science for Archaeology PG 2 Portfolio 20 10
ARC00124M Project Management PG 2 Project design 20 10

Contact us

Caitlin Kitchener
International Officer and undergraduate contact

caitlin.kitchener@york.ac.uk

Helen Chan
Postgraduate contact

archaeology-pg@york.ac.uk