Archaeology, anthropology and Classics: what your students need to know

Welcome to archaeology, anthropology and Classics: a diverse world of degrees with growing employability.

However, students might easily overlook opportunities here, because there is no consistency in naming or classifying these programmes.

Archaeology, anthropology and Classics: a degree by any other name

There are different anthropologies, such as social, cultural, bio or biological anthropology, ethnic studies or ethnography and folklore.

Archaeology is sometimes part of anthropology or Classics, or even history. The term “prehistory” appears in undergraduate minors or in master’s degrees, but not as a full bachelor’s degree.

The Classics grouping encompasses degrees or minors such as ancient history, ancient studies, classical studies, Latin, ancient Greek and classical languages, literature and culture.

All these subjects are popular majors or minors at liberal arts colleges (for example, in the US and Japan). They might appear as part of heritage courses (for example, at the University of Exeter in the UK), global studies (for example, at Sophia University in Japan), or international development or ethnomusicology.

Other related degrees include specific ethnicities, such as Native American studies in the US, Maori Studies in New Zealand, or minors in regional culture (for example at the Chinese University of Hong Kong or Australian National University).

Art or science?

All these courses involve interdisciplinary humanities, social sciences and STEM subjects. There are differences in emphasis, though – a clue will be whether the degree awarded at the end is a bachelor of sciences (BSc) or bachelor of arts (BA).

For example, anthropology has degrees in social anthropology (social sciences), cultural anthropology (humanities), biological anthropology (previously known as physical anthropology – STEM).

Archaeology is either mostly focused on cultural and social aspects of archaeology, or mostly focused on material science, earth sciences or ancient environments, human ecology and data analysis.

Classics might focus on language, literature, history (humanities aspects) or more on the digital humanities, data analysis, social, archaeological or even architectural aspects of classical civilisations.

Ethnomusicology involves performing arts too – such as at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music. Find out which colleges in the US offer ethnomusicology here. On the other hand, the University of Auckland, New Zealand, offers ethnomusicology through anthropology.

Programmes leading to careers in NGOs and development involve modules on business and administration – such as the BA (Hons) in anthropology and international development at the University of Sussex in the UK.

Some archaeology programmes contain forensics and biomedicine, including criminology and law for domestic crime and even international war crimes – for example, the BSc (Hons) in forensic and archaeological sciences at the University of Bradford in the UK. In the USA, this route is usually a master’s level one, though forensic anthropology is offered as a minor at Middle Tennessee State University.

In the UK, university anthropology and archaeology days showcase universities offering such programmes. Find out more about them here and here. The British Museum usually hosts these events in person and online.

What can students do to prepare?

1. Gain prior experience

It is useful – but not essential – for students to gain practical experience before applying. (It is essential, however, that they maximise their experiences before and during degrees, in order to find a job after graduation.)

If they can find it, students should gain paid professional experience. One problem for under-18s participating in fieldwork are occasional restrictions because of health, safety and safeguarding. Organisations may permit participation if parents or guardians sign waiver, release or consent forms.

For archaeological fieldwork opportunities in the UK, see the Council for British Archaeology website.

A good guide to excavations in the US and worldwide can be found here.

For experiences in the Mediterranean or Balkan region, Balkan Heritage Field School is a useful site.

Advice and adverts for degrees, experience and employment in the UK is available here. Black students can choose to join the Association of Black Anthropologists or the Society of Black Archaeologists, which provide additional support and guidance.

2. Enter competitions

The University of Oxford has a creative-writing prize, open to ages 11 to 18. Its annual deadline is in May.

The Gladstone Memorial Essay Prizes are for students under the age of 19 and have a July deadline.

The American Anthropological Association has an annual AnthroDay Unessay Competition, with a February deadline.

Goldsmiths, University of London has a Young Anthropologist competition, with a deadline each April.

There will be many others that students can enter, so take some time in your sessions with students to look for competitions they can go for. 

3. Think about hidden costs

These degree programmes entail field trips, field work and study trips. Students will need to think about the extras not included in the main degree price, such as field-trip expenses and equipment. They might need to purchase items of clothing, tools and resources, such as steel-capped or steel-soled boots and camping materials, as well as waterproof clothing.

For UK archaeology, each student will need to buy a four-inch trowel. Students should also consult their doctors about any vaccinations necessary, because soil contains extra biohazards.

Employability and careers

These degrees teach a wide range of skills – critical, analytical and practical – as well as interdisciplinary approaches and the ability and adaptability to work in cross-cultural situations.

They include a fantastic variety of activities, leading to vocational pathways on graduation. Read the small print for careers that are not obvious at first sight. In addition to obvious careers in archaeology, museums, heritage management and international development, graduates go on to employment in educational, commercial, forensic and criminological, environmental, community, planning, health and social services, as well as to careers in IT, survey equipment sales, governmental organisations and international companies.