PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
BA (Hons) Archaeology
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
BA
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
F400
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
from session 2013-14 onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Social and Historical Sciences
Parent Department:
Institute of Archaeology
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/
(if applicable)
Method of study:
The programme can be taken either full-time or part-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate-study/
Length of the programme:
3 years full-time or 6 years part-time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
Level 6
Archaeology
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/S
ubject-benchmark-statement-Archaeology.aspx
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/studying/undergraduate/degrees/ba
_bsc_archaeology
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
B.A. Archaeology
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
NA
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The Institute of Archaeology aims to provide education of the highest quality in all major aspects of archaeology, in
a challenging yet supportive environment, under the supervision of teachers actively engaged in research at the
forefront of the field. The BA in Archaeology provides a solid grounding in the field, while allowing students
flexibility to satisfy their own interests. The programme aims:
1. To develop students’ understanding of past societies within their cultural, socio-political, economic, historical and
environmental contexts.
2. To enhance students’ understanding of the current social and political context of archaeology, with particular
reference to the management, interpretation and presentation of the archaeological heritage.
3. To provide training in the method and theory of archaeological practice
4. To help students to develop their knowledge, critical thinking, analytical capabilities, together with their interpersonal, communications and decision-making skills.
5. To equip students with a range of generic and transferable skills.
6. To provide a firm foundation for students wishing to undertake a professional qualification or for students wishing
to undertake postgraduate studies in archaeology.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Past human societies and their
development.
Through lectures, seminars, laboratory work, field work
and museum visits. Year 1 students take core courses
that include an overview of archaeology, the culture
history and development of past societies around the
world, social anthropology, and multidisciplinary
approaches to archaeology. Year 2 students take core
courses in the interpretation of archaeological evidence,
research and presentation skills in archaeology, public
archaeology and archaeological theory. Year 3 students
present a portfolio of fieldwork, debate the relevance of
archaeology in the world, and research a topic for their
dissertation. Year 2 & 3 students also select courses
from a wide range of options.
2. Archaeological methods and theories.
3. The nature of archaeological analysis
and interpretation.
4. The diverse nature of archaeological
data and argumentation, often through
the study of the culture history of specific
regions or periods.
5. The modern social and political
context of archaeological heritage.
6. The role of scientific methods and
theories as applied in archaeology.
Assessment:
Through a range of methods, including essays and other
coursework (e.g. laboratory reports), seen and unseen
written examinations, practical tests, fieldwork portfolio,
3rd year dissertation and peer assessment (formative
rather than summative) of oral presentations
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
1. Develop critical thinking.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
All courses require regular written work, either essays,
reviews, or reports (e.g. on laboratory work). Regular
2. Develop analytical and interpretational
and detailed feedback is provided to students on this
skills.
work. Students take courses in data interpretation and
3. Presentation of logical, structured and
research and presentation skills (including project
supported arguments.
design, statistical methods and their application to
4. Statistical and numerical analytical
archaeological data sets). The 3rd year project further
skills.
develops most, or all, of these skills.
Assessment:
Through structured essays and other coursework (e.g.
project design, in some cases laboratory reports), seen
and unseen written examinations, practical tests,
fieldwork portfolio, and the 3rd year dissertation.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
1. Undertake both field and laboratory
procedures related to archaeology
2. Use a range of basic computer
applications, including data analysis and
spread sheets.
3. Search out, and organise effectively,
information from a wide variety of sources
(printed and electronic).
4. Communicate effectively, both in
writing and orally.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Organising and undertaking the mandatory 70 days
fieldwork requirement, laboratory classes and computerbased teaching, by researching for essays and other
assignments, through oral presentations in classes, and
by undertaking research project in the 3rd year and
producing a 10,000 word dissertation on the research.
Assessment:
Fieldwork portfolio, laboratory reports, practical
examinations and tests, assessed essays, the 3rd year
dissertation, peer assessment (formative) of oral
presentations
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
1. Organise, analyse, present and
interpret complex data.
2. Access information from a diverse
range of sources.
3. Use computers and have other
transferable practical skills
4. Communicate ideas in writing and
orally.
5. Work independently and to deadlines.
6. Collaborate and work as a member of
a team.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Compulsory 2nd year courses in the interpretation of
archaeological data and research and presentation
skills, and 3rd year debates on archaeological
contributions to global issues (with individual and group
project work); supervised 3rd year research project;
compulsory field work requirement; oral presentations in
classes; classes in computing and computing
applications; laboratory classes.
Assessment:
Assessed essays, individual project work, dissertation,
field work portfolio, laboratory reports. Formative peergroup assessment of group project work through oral
presentations.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Dr Andrew Garrard
Name(s):
Date of Production:
08.04.03
Date of Review:
October 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
October 2015
October 2015