What is an accredited degree and why should I choose one?
In the UK, accredited degrees are programmes that have been recognised by the appropriate professional body as including the practical and professional skills that will help you to succeed in your career. Choosing an accredited undergraduate or master’s degree is a well-established career entry route in many sectors and is widely recognised as the first step on a career pathway leading to professional status.
What will I gain?
Accredited degree programmes include training in relevant skills for a career in the historic environment and embed professional standards into their teaching. There is greater emphasis on ensuring that graduates are equipped for the workplace should they wish to pursue a career in archaeology, so students on accredited degree programmes can gain the skills and knowledge that employers in the sector value. Students are encouraged to achieve professional accreditation of those skills when they graduate.
Where can I find accredited degree programmes?
Accredited degree programmes will be clearly advertised on the University’s website, you can recognise them by the ‘CIfA & UAUK accredited degree’ logo. All accredited degrees are mapped to the National Occupational Standards for Archaeology.
There are three mandatory Standards which degree programmes must demonstrate. These are:
- The ability to research and analyse (NOS AC1)
- An awareness of health and safety (NOS AH10)
- An understanding of an ethical framework and personal development (NOS AJ3)
In addition, a degree programme or pathway must show competency in at least two other Optional Standards to be selected from the list of options below (the five most common choices are in bold).
- Contribute to non-intrusive archaeological investigations (AC3)
- Contribute to intrusive archaeological investigations (AC5)
- Storing archaeological items (AC6)
- Transferring archaeological items (AC7)
- The analysis and interpretation of archaeological material and data (AC8)
- Identify and describe archaeological items (AD3)
- Apply preventative care procedures for archaeological items (AD6)
- Routine interventive conservation procedures (AD8)
- Classify, compile and maintain data on the material remains and intangible heritage of past communities (AE3)
- Disseminate, deposit and archive data on the material remains and intangible heritage of past communities (AE5)
- The identification and evaluation of the requirements of users of exhibitions
or interpretative activities (AG3)
- Contribute to advances in the body of knowledge of archaeological practice (AJ2)
Courses currently accredited are
- Bournemouth University BSc (Hons) Archaeology, BA (Hons) Archaeology, BSc (Hons) Archaeological Anthropological and Forensic Sciences, BA (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology
- Cardiff University BA Archaeology, BSc Archaeology
- Durham University BA Archaeology, BSc Archaeology, BA Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations, BA Archaeology of the Historical World
- Newcastle University BA Ancient History & Archaeology, BA Archaeology, BA History & Archaeology, BSc Archaeology
- Queen's University Belfast CIfA/UAUK-accredited module pathway in Archaeology
- University of Aberdeen BSc Archaeology, MA Archaeology
- University of Bradford BSc Archaeology, BSc Forensic Archaeology & Anthropology
- University of Bristol BA Archaeology & Anthropology
- University of Cambridge BA (Hons) Archaeology
- University of Canterbury Christ Church pathway through BA Archaeology
- University of Central Lancashire BSc in Archaeology, MSci in Archaeology, BSc in Archaeology and Anthropology
- University of Chester BA Archaeology
- University of Exeter BA Archaeology, BA Archaeology with Study Abroad (pathway), BA Archaeology with Employment Experience Abroad (pathway)
- University College London BA Archaeology, BA Archaeology and Anthropology, BA Archaeology with a Year Abroad (4 year), BA Archaeology with a Year’s Placement (4 year), BA Archaeology of Egypt and Sudan, BA Classical Archaeology and Classical Civilisation, BSc Archaeological Science (formerly BSc Archaeology)
- University of Edinburgh Core modules pathway through MA Archaeology, MA Archaeology and Social Anthropology, MA Archaeology and Ancient History, MA Ancient Mediterranean Civilisations, MA History and Archaeology
- University of Leicester BSc Archaeology
- University of Liverpool BA Archaeology, BA Archaeology of Ancient Civilisations, BSc Archaeology. Pathway of optional Archaeology modules through: BA Egyptology, BSc Evolutionary Anthropology
- University of Reading BA Archaeology, BSc Archaeology
- University of Winchester BA Archaeology, BSc Archaeology, BSc Archaeological Practice, BSc Archaeological Practice with Professional Placement
- University of York Core modules pathway through BA Archaeology, BSc Archaeology, BA Archaeology & Heritage, BA Historical Archaeology, BSc Bioarchaeology, BA Archaeology (with a Year Abroad), BSc Archaeology (with a Year Abroad), BA Archaeology & Heritage (with a Year Abroad), BA Historical Archaeology (with a Year Abroad), BSc Bioarchaeology (with a Year Abroad).
For more information about our accredited degree programme and how to apply, click here.