Skip to content
Humanities and Social Science

BA (Hons) History and Archaeology

  • Course Type: Undergraduate Degree
  • Institution Code: P56
Course overview

What can this course lead to?

Each year, many of our students who complete the course go onto a variety of postgraduate courses. Just some of the future careers for graduates after completing the course include:

  • Heritage Manager
  • Museum Education Officer
  • Conservation Officer
  • Archaeologist
  • Academic Researcher
  • Teacher
  • Cultural Site Manager

Who is it for?

Are you interested in the past and how it shapes the future? Are you fascinated by the history of your environment – of the buildings and landscapes that comprise it and the laws and institutions that animate it? Do you view the present as continuous with the past or do you see the past as a series of more or less violent ruptures leading up to the present? Are you passionate about the historical world and its importance for understanding the present? Are you interested in a career in the Heritage Industries – in a fast developing sector that contributes more to the UK economy than the Agricultural and Aerospace industries combined?

If so our BA (Hons) History and Archaeology course may be for you. The course is a unique combination of history and archaeology modules designed to create an integral course that supports students that want to pursue careers in either discipline.

We aimed to create a course that at one and the same time satisfies the intellectual curiosity of history/archaeology students while providing the best possible opportunity for progression into the graduate jobs market in education and teaching or the heritage sector.

The course was developed in consultation with academics and industry professionals to ensure that the skills with which our students graduate align as closely as possible with the skills required by industry.

During your studies you will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement with one of a range of heritage organisations in the city and wider region. These include Vivacity, Headland Archaeology, Oxford East Archaeology and Historic England.

The greater Peterborough area is steeped in history which includes Bronze Age sites at Flag Fen and Must Farm as well as the Peterborough Cathedral which is over 900 years old.

The courses at University Centre Peterborough are studied in smaller class sizes compared with other universities, a typical class size is under 20 students.

To view the course specification, click here.

What is covered?

You must take modules worth 120 credits at each level of the course. Each module is worth a specified number of credits.

Year one for full-time students (Level 4)

  • The Birth and Development of Modern Europe (30 credits)
  • Practical Aspects of Archaeology (30 credits)
  • Themes in Archaeology (15 credits)
  • Heritage Management (15 credits)
  • Prehistory: A European Perspective (30 credits)

Year two for full-time students (Level 5)

  • Rome and the Roman World (15 credits)
  • The Role of Science in Archaeology (15 credits)
  • Ritualised Landscapes (15 credits)
  • Historiography and the Historian (15 credits)
  • Working in the Heritage Industries: Work Placement and Reflective Portfolio (30 credits)
  • Imperialism and Empire (15 credits)
  • Desk-based Assessment (15 credits)

Final year for full-time students (Level 6)

  • Undergraduate Major Project (30 credits)
  • Urban Experience and Identity in Early Modern Europe (30 credits)
  • Pre-industrial Technology (15 credits)
  • The Social Role of Buildings (15 credits)
  • The Archaeology of the Human Bone (15 credits)

PLUS CHOOSE 15 CREDITS OF OPTIONAL MODULES:

  • Conflict and Society in European History (15 credits)
  • Surveying the Historic Environment (15 credits)

If it is unviable to run an optional module due to student demand, an alternative module will be offered:

Project Archaeologist Manager

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

88 UCAS Points from a related subject and 5 GCSE grades C/4 or above.

Mature students or students who do not have the above qualifications can contact our admissions team on 01733 214466 or admissions@ucp.ac.uk to discuss equivalent qualifications or relevant work experience. For more information on EU and overseas qualifications, UCAS, accreditation of prior learning and failure to meet the entry requirements please visit www.ucp.ac.uk

Course information
Ucas Code

V400

Location

Peterborough

Start Date

September

Fees

The tuition fees for full-time undergraduate students will be £8,500 per year, which is lower compared with many other universities.

Fees for part-time study are pro-rata depending on the number of credits you are studying (i.e. 90 credits per year will be 75% of the tuition fee).

Duration

Full-time: 3 years (2 full days a week over two semesters per year)
Part-time: 4 years (1-2 full days a week over two semesters per year)

Validated by

The Open University

Tariff points

88

Enrol Now Enquire

Incredible courses in partnership with The Open University

Validated Excellence

Our partnership with The Open University ensures that a significant number of our foundation diplomas and undergraduate degrees are validated by one of the UK’s most respected institutions, enhancing the credibility and recognition of your qualification.

Quality Assurance

Each course validated by The Open University undergoes rigorous quality assurance checks, guaranteeing that our curriculum meets high academic standards and delivers an exceptional educational experience.

Flexible Pathways

Through our collaboration with The Open University, students at University Centre Peterborough benefit from flexible learning options and expertly designed courses that support both part-time and full-time studies, tailored to accommodate diverse student needs.

Part of the Inspire Education Group © 2025 All rights reserved

Website by Itineris