Archaeology

Archaeology is the discipline that recovers and interprets the material remains of the human past, using the physical traces that people have left behind, including buildings, artefacts, human remains, and landscapes, to reconstruct how they lived, what they believed, and how their societies were organised. It covers a time span from the earliest humans, millions of years ago, to the relatively recent past, and it draws on techniques from chemistry, physics, biology, and digital imaging as well as the traditional methods of excavation and analysis.

At Birkbeck this part-time programme offers the opportunity to study archaeology flexibly, alongside work or other commitments, without compromising on academic rigour or the range of experience the subject provides. You will develop understanding of the diversity of the human past through the study of material culture, architecture, and landscapes, gaining hands-on experience with collections and engaging critically with heritage through fieldtrips and archaeological practice in the field. The Birkbeck programme is designed for students who may be returning to education later in life or who are already professionally engaged with heritage or related fields, as well as for those who simply cannot attend full-time.

You will develop skills in the identification, recording, and analysis of archaeological finds and sites, the interpretation of material evidence, the evaluation of archaeological arguments, and written communication of archaeological knowledge. These are genuinely transferable capacities valued well beyond the subject itself.

Graduates of archaeology programmes move into careers in heritage management, museums and galleries, archaeological contracting and consultancy, conservation, archives, education, local government, and research. Many continue to postgraduate study in archaeology, heritage studies, or related fields.