PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
BA (Hons) Egyptian 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:
F424
(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:
Length of the programme:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate-study/
3 years full-time; 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
_egyptian_archaeology
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
BA Egyptian 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 Egyptian 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, with special emphasis on prehistoric and historical pre-Islamic society in the Nile Valley.
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 Egyptian 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 (especially Egypt) and their
development.
Through lectures, seminars, fieldwork and museum
sessions and visits. Year 1 students take core courses
including an overview of archaeology, the culture history
and development of past societies around the world,
archaeological field methods, social anthropology,
multidisciplinary approaches to archaeology, introduction
to Egyptian and Near Eastern archaeology and the use
of texts as archaeological resources. Year 2 students
take core courses in the interpretation of archaeological
evidence, research and presentation skills in
archaeology, archaeological theory, and Middle Egyptian
Language and Texts. 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, including Egyptian language.
Assessment:
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, especially pre-Islamic
Egypt.
5. The modern social and political
context of archaeological heritage.
Through a range of methods, including essays and other
coursework such as projects and problem papers; and
seen and unseen written examinations, fieldwork
portfolio, 3rd year dissertation and peer assessment
(formative rather than summative) of oral presentations.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
All courses require regular written work in the form of
essays, reviews, or reports. Regular and detailed
2. Develop analytical and interpretational
feedback is provided to students on this work. Students
skills.
take courses in data interpretation and research and
3. Presentation of logical, structured and
presentation skills (including project design, statistical
supported arguments.
methods and their application to archaeological data
4. Statistical and numerical analytical
sets). The 3rd year dissertation and fieldwork project
skills.
further develop most or all of these skills.
Assessment:
Through structured essays and other coursework (e.g.
project design and presentation, language exercises),
seen and unseen written examinations, fieldwork
portfolio, and the 3rd year dissertation.
C: Skills and other attributes
1. Develop critical thinking.
Practical skills (able to):
1. Undertake both field and library procedures to
study the archaeology of the Nile Valley and
neighbouring areas.
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/written/graphic and electronic).
4. Communicate effectively, both in
writing and orally.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Organising and undertaking the mandatory 70 days
fieldwork requirement, language study, computer-based
teaching, by researching for essays and other
assignments, through oral presentations in classes, and
by undertaking a research project in the 3rd year
resulting in a 10,000 word dissertation.
Assessment:
Fieldwork portfolio, assessed essays, project papers, 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 courses in the interpretation of
archaeological data and research and presentation skills
(with individual and group project work); supervised 3 rd
year research project; compulsory field work
requirement; oral presentations in classes; classes in
computing and computing applications.
Assessment:
Assessed essays, individual project work, dissertation,
fieldwork portfolio. Formative peer-group 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 Richard Bussmann
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