Accredited Degrees

Students kneel in sand to excavate the skeleton of a whale in Orkney, Scotland.
UCLan & UHI students excavating 19th century whales at Cata sand, Orkney. Photo: Vicki Cummings/Jane Downes

What is an accredited degree and why should I choose one?

In the UK, accredited degrees are programmes that have been recognised by the appropriate professional body as including the practical and professional skills that will help you to succeed in your career. Choosing an accredited undergraduate or master’s degree is a well-established career entry route in many sectors and is widely recognised as the first step on a career pathway leading to professional status.

What will I gain?

Accredited degree programmes include training in relevant skills for a career in the historic environment and embed professional standards into their teaching. There is greater emphasis on ensuring that graduates are equipped for the workplace should they wish to pursue a career in archaeology, so students on accredited degree programmes can gain the skills and knowledge that employers in the sector value. Students are encouraged to achieve professional accreditation of those skills when they graduate.

Where can I find accredited degree programmes?

Accredited degree logo

Accredited degree programmes will be clearly advertised on the University’s website, you can recognise them by the ‘CIfA & UAUK accredited degree’ logo. 

Courses currently accredited are

  • Bournemouth University BSc (Hons) Archaeology, BA (Hons) Archaeology, BSc (Hons) Archaeological Anthropological and Forensic Sciences, BA (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology
  • Cardiff University BA Archaeology, BSc Archaeology
  • Newcastle University BA Ancient History & Archaeology, BA Archaeology, BA History & Archaeology, BSc Archaeology
  • Queen's University Belfast CIfA/UAUK-accredited module pathway in Archaeology
  • University of Aberdeen BSc Archaeology, MA Archaeology
  • University of Bradford BSc Archaeology, BSc Forensic Archaeology & Anthropology 
  • University of Bristol BA Archaeology & Anthropology
  • University of Cambridge BA (Honours) in Archaeology
  • University of Canterbury Christ Church pathway through BA Archaeology
  • University of Central Lancashire BSc in Archaeology, MSci in Archaeology, BSc in Archaeology and Anthropology
  • University of Chester BA Archaeology
  • University College London BA Archaeology, BA Archaeology and Anthropology, BA Archaeology with a Year Abroad (4 year), BA Archaeology with a Year’s Placement (4 year), BA Archaeology of Egypt and Sudan, BA Classical Archaeology and Classical Civilisation, BSc Archaeological Science (formerly BSc Archaeology)
  • University of Durham BA Archaeology, BSc Archaeology, BA Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations, BA Archaeology of the Historical World
  • University of Edinburgh Core modules pathway throughMA Archaeology, MA Archaeology and Social Anthropology, MA Archaeology and Ancient History, MA Ancient mediterannean Civilisations, MA History and Archaeology 
  • University of Leicester BSc Archaeology
  • University of Reading BA Archaeology, BSc Archaeology
  • University of Winchester BA Archaeology, BSc Archaeology, BSc Archaeological Practice, BSc Archaeological Practice with Professional Placement
  • University of York Core modules pathway through BA Archaeology, BSc Archaeology, BA Archaeology & Heritage, BA Historical Archaeology, BSc Bioarchaeology, BA Archaeology (with a Year Abroad), BSc Archaeology (with a Year Abroad), BA Archaeology & Heritage (with a Year Abroad). BA Historical Archaeology (with a Year Abroad), BSc Bioarchaeology (with a Year Abroad).

Students conduct environmental sieving by the sea.