Avenue / Avenue - South entrance

Archaeology

Explore archaeology at a department ranked first in the UK for student satisfaction and participate in research-based fieldwork around the world.

Our courses cover world archaeology from the first appearance of humans 2.5 million years ago. Tailor your degree to your interests by choosing from a broad range of modules. The MArc and MSci Archaeology are four year degrees, which allow students to study archaeology in greater depth and achieve a Masters level qualification.

Archaeology at Southampton

Our new three-story purpose-built Archaeology building is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, technical equipment, lecture theatres, seminar rooms and reference collections.

Science-based laboratories are equipped for extensive practical work with archaeological materials, while our Nick Bradford laboratory has space for 40 students. We have dedicated labs and teaching spaces for ceramics and lithics, computation, Palaeolithic archaeology, maritime archaeology and osteoarchaeology. Our computing lab includes high-performance workstations, geophysics, GIS and 3D modelling software, imaging and scanning hardware, and multiple LED screens.

Centre for Language Study

The Centre for Language Study (CLS), based at Avenue Campus, provides language learning for staff and students across the University.

Equipped with the very latest technology, CLS has a wide range of courses and resources. These include the Language Resources Centre, which is open to all students and staff of any level who want to learn a language as a beginner or at any point in their language learning.

Archaeology - taught courses

Archaeology at Southampton is broad, diverse and multidisciplinary, with strong links to other subject areas, including geography, oceanography, arts and the humanities.

The interdisciplinary nature of archaeology underpins our understanding of past societies, guided by new theoretical frameworks and investigative methods. We believe in the contemporary relevance of archaeology, and have a strong tradition of investigating the politics of the past and its representation in literature and other media.

Our pathways-based MSc Archaeology has a strong emphasis on the development of skills and specialisms in Higher Archaeological Practice, Palaeoanthropology or Bioarchaeology. You can focus on one of these areas, or study a broad range of skills across these specialisms, including from other programmes, such as the MA/MSc Maritime Archaeology, MSc Osteoarchaeology or MSc Business and Heritage Management.

Archaeology - research

We believe in the contemporary relevance of archaeology, and have a strong tradition of investigating the politics of the past and its representation in literature and other media.

The interdisciplinary nature of archaeology underpins our understanding of past societies, guided by new theoretical frameworks and investigative methods.

We offer supervision for research in a wide range of areas, from the Palaeolithic to industrial archaeology, from the interpretation of material and culture to the politics of the past. You will have the opportunity to participate in a lively research community.

Undergraduate courses

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate PhD courses