Archaeology

Archaeology is a diverse subject that allows students to study an overview of human history, before focusing in on research areas that interest them.

Below you will find information about the specific degree courses offered by Oxford and Cambridge Universities to study Archaeology, how to prepare, and how Oxbridge Interviews can help you with your application.

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Cambridge University offers a three-year Archaeology degree.

The application process is highly competitive with only 1 in 3 applicants being offered a place. Successful applicants generally need to achieve A*AA at A Level (or equivalent). No specific subjects are required, but Classics, Geography, History, languages and science are recommended as useful preparation.

Oxford University's Archaeology and Anthropology undergraduate course is three years long.

The application process is highly competitive with only 22% of applications successful. To be offered a place, you generally need to get AAA at A Level (or equivalent) and no specific subjects are required, although they recommend choosing a combination of arts and sciences.

To prepare for your Archaeology application, you must demonstrate your motivation for the subject and specific interests. You can do this reading beyond your school curriculum. Our interviewers recommend:

‘Prehistory: The Making of the Human Mind’ by Colin Renfrew
'The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Societies’ by Chris Scarre

Practice interviews for Archaeology applications are critical. You wouldn’t sit an exam without doing a mock, so don’t place yourself in an interview without having experienced a practice interview first.

Applicants to Archaeology at Cambridge are required to sit an at-interview Archaeology Admissions Assessment, if invited to interview.

There are no written admissions test as part of the application process for Archaeology and Anthropology at Oxford.

Learn more about the Archaeology Admissions Assessment