Why archaeology can present a future with plenty of options

Archaeology is an integral branch of the history department at the University of Hull and offers exciting and diverse opportunities for study and exploration. Archaeology has a well-established research profile within both the geography and history departments at the university, with programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level that integrate with archaeology. The degree course is taught in collaboration with the university's geography department, who run a joint geography and archaeology degree.

Entry requirements for courses in this subject are fairly flexible. The department usually ask for three full A-levels with the current offer at B,B,C; however, they also welcome applications from those holding equivalent qualifications other than A-levels.

Full-time courses at the university, including BA history and archaeology, combine the study of history through a wide-ranging choice of modules, with a particular perspective on the human past provided by archaeology; the countryside of Eastern Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire contains a wealth of archaeological remains. Its historic centres such as Hull and Beverley provide well-preserved evidence for the development of Medieval townscapes, making it one of the best regions in Britain to study the subject. The modules also draw on their close links with Hull museums and North Lincolnshire museums and their internationally important collections. The courses benefit from the expertise of the region's archaeologists, who contribute to the programmes. Other modules, such as world archaeology, provide a wider perspective.

In addition to full-time courses, the university also offers a part-time degree in archaeology, which builds on the Certificate and Diploma programmes. All levels of these programmes can be studied in evening and weekend classes, allowing those with other daytime commitments the opportunity to broaden their horizons.

Students continue to make important contributions to the understanding of the archaeology of the East Yorkshire region through their dissertations and projects. As with all archaeology courses, fieldwork forms an integral part of the university experience, enabling students to gain valuable practical training. Assignments such as the Brodsworth Archaeological Project allow students to experience a wide range of fieldwork techniques on a variety of archaeological sites ranging from enigmatic prehistoric enclosures up to modern times, with excavations in a Victorian kitchen garden. There are also opportunities for students to become involved in a project researching the Iron Age and Roman landscape of the Foulness Valley with its early iron industry.

There are extensive career opportunities upon completion of a history and archaeology degree, as employers value the training provided by a degree in this subject. The ability to analyse complex and often conflicting information, and to present clear and coherent conclusions in writing, presentations or discussions involve skills that are readily transferable to most areas of work, and do not lose their value with changes in fashion and technology. Graduates in this subject can be found in a variety of employment sectors such as accounting, archive work, the armed forces, the civil service, commerce, journalism, law, local government, museums, management, teaching and public relations, to name but a few.

Dr Halkon is from Hull University's history department.

DIG DEEPER

Hull is one of many universities and colleges to offer a degree in history and archaeology. Get on the UCAS website ( www.ucas.ac.uk), type "history and archaeology" into the search facility and check out the options. Some offer variations on the theme - like archaeology and landscape history at Peterborough Regional College, and art history and archaeology at the University of Sussex - so if it's a field that interests you (geddit?), then there's plenty to discover.