University archaeology degree receives professional accreditation
A flagship humanities degree has received a professional national accreditation in recognition of its outstanding support for students and the quality of its teaching and curriculum.
The BA Archaeology degree, in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, is now professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK group (UAUK) following an in-depth assessment by the body.
Accredited degree programmes let prospective students know that they will receive training in relevant skills for a career in the historic environment and have professional standards embedded into their teaching.
The accreditation covers two BA Archaeology pathways (Study Abroad and Employment Experience Abroad) and is valid for five years.
Representatives from CIfA visited the University last year to review their documentation and practice, and interview students and staff as part of their assessment.
They praised the Department’s culture of student support, saying that staff were “genuinely invested” in student success, and offered guidance in career development and personal wellbeing in addition to academic matters. A “strong sense of community” was also evident, “fostering an inclusive and encouraging learning environment”.
The panel praised the breadth of the curriculum, saying it offers a grounding for developing career paths and specialisms. They also found evidence that students are being taught key life skills such as critical thinking, confidence-building and communication skills.
Finally, the CIfA said the Department boasted “outstanding laboratory facilities” across a broad range of specialisms.
“Nurturing talent and producing confident, work-ready graduates is of paramount importance for Archaeology, as it is our many degrees across the Department and Faculty,” said Professor Naomi Sykes, Head of Department. “At a time when the value of an education in the humanities and arts is being questioned, this accreditation demonstrates how life-skills and employability can be embedded in degrees and enable students to pursue their academic passions right through to the launch of their careers. This is fantastic recognition for all our colleagues in Archaeology.”
For more information about the University’s degree offerings in Archaeology, visit the website.
