Study heritage in a city full of history

Year of entry: 2025/26

UCAS code

V404

Institution code

Y50

Length

3 years full-time

Typical offer

ABB (full entry requirements)

Start date

September 2025 (semester dates)

Department

Department of Archaeology

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UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and E

8th

in the UK

for Archaeology and Forensic Sciences in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Rankings, 2025.

26th

in the world

QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024

1st

in the Russell Group

for 'Learning resources' in archaeology, among universities included in the National Student Survey, 2024.

Discover why our past matters, and how we can protect it for the future.

Heritage is the legacies of past human activity. From buildings to cultural traditions, studying our heritage allows us to understand how we have defined ourselves throughout history. 

BA Archaeology and Heritage explores the human past and understand why it's important to preserve our legacy. You'll learn to interpret our heritage, and how to communicate this to the public. Develop practical skills and engage with contemporary heritage discussions. You'll graduate with a sound understanding of how we can protect our heritage for the future.

Our department is world-renowned for the advanced study of archaeology. We’re friendly and welcoming, meaning you'll get to know your lecturers, and they'll get to know you. You'll have so many opportunities to get involved. Join the Archaeology Society to working abroad on a research project. We have bespoke facilities on campus.

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in the UK and overseas. Accreditation recognises the value of knowledge of working practices across the sector. It provides you with the opportunity to join CIfA to support your professional development.

The excavation has been the highlight of my year at York. As a heritage student, I spend a lot of time working with the public. Everyone who came to the site agreed that it was amazing and it’s so fulfilling to be able to share this history with the people closest to it.

https://blogs.york.ac.uk/student-voices/category/study/archaeology/

Course content

Our five undergraduate courses all have a common first year, so it's easy to change between them.

We emphasise flexibility - there's very little restriction on the modules you can choose to study. 

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/study-abroad/

CIfA accreditation is not applicable to credit-replacing exchanges abroad where only two years are spent at York. Additional year abroad programmes, where three years are spent at York, are still accredited.

Archaeology also offers plenty of opportunities during vacation breaks to get involved with research abroad.