CIfA and UAUK announce that the University of Chester is the latest to receive accreditation for it's BA Archaeology programme

The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK (UAUK) have announced details of the most recent academic programme to be formally accredited as providing skills relevant to a career in the historic environment. The University of Chester joins the universities already offering accredited programmes

  • Bournemouth University
  • Queens University Belfast
  • University of Bradford
  • University of Durham
  • University of Leicester
  • University of Reading
  • University of Central Lancashire
  • University College London
  • University of Winchester
  • University of York

A full list of the accredited programmes can be found here

Further applications are currently being assessed and newly accredited programmes will be announced in due course.  The next application deadline is 1 December 2021, see here for details.

Students in England and Northern Ireland now have the opportunity to choose a degree programme that will support them to develop a career in the historic environment.

The accreditation was developed to provide a career route for the historic environment as well as fostering strong relations between industry and academia.

‘The entire team are delighted to have the Single Honours Archaeology degree accredited by CIFA,’ said Professor Meggen Gondek, Head of the Department of History and Archaeology at the University of Chester and a member of the Archaeology team. ‘This recognition underlines the strong practical and range of applied training in Archaeology we provide, how we prepare our students for future success and our commitment to developing the professional and transferable skills of all of our students.’

'Accreditation is an exciting new initiative for students taking archaeology courses at universities and for the profession more widely. It recognises the value of real knowledge of working practices across the sector by students across the UK’

Chair of University Archaeology UK (UAUK), Chris Gerrard

CIfA Chief Executive Peter Hinton said ‘At a time when archaeology in higher education is firmly in the spotlight, we are delighted to be able to accredit the University of Chester’s BA Archaeology programme. Accreditation by CIfA and UAUK recognises the important role University archaeology departments have in delivering the skills that the profession needs and that are currently in high demand. It also enables students to identify those courses which will provide them with the skills they need to progress their archaeological careers.’