Top Archaeology Universities in 2022-2023

Best Archaeology Colleges and Universities in the World

About Archaeology

Archaeology is the study of the human past. The word “archaeology” comes from the Greek word “arkhaios,” which means “prehistoric.” The experts who investigate the past of humanity by unearthing places and analyzing the material remains discovered are called archaeologists. Archeology is considered as the brach of both, social science and humanities. It can potentially reveal what our distant forefathers ate, clothed, lived in, and worshipped. A degree in archaeology also aids in the development of a variety of essential and transferrable skills. Since archaeology provides a unique viewpoint on human history and culture, Students who are interested in history and the human past will be best suited for this course.

Duties of an Archaeologist 

An archaeologist’s duties and responsibilities vary depending on the type of job and experience. Archaeologists are typically employed full-time. However, archaeologists working in the field may be needed to travel and work long and unpredictable hours, including weekends. Here are some generalized duties of an archaeologist:

• Work as part of a team on field excavations or digs, utilizing a variety of digging equipment
• Research the artifacts and structures discovered during site excavation to identify their period of origin, authenticate them and study their significance using computer-aided design (CAD) and geographical information systems (GIS)
• Analyse or examine historical societies and cultures in order to obtain answers to particular research topics
• Write, present, and publish reports that include site history, methodology, and findings
• Describe the physical characteristics of artifacts, such as the materials used in their creation, as well as their size, form, function, and ornamentation
• Manage and protect archeological sites and monuments
• Conduct lab testing and research such as radiocarbon dating

Popular degrees for pursuing a career in Archaeology 

Most institutions offer either a B.A. or a B.S/B.Sc. undergraduate degree, which includes lectures, field trips, and practical experience. Students can then pursue specialized areas in archaeology for master’s programs, such as osteology, which involves the study of skeletons and bones. Here is a list of some of the most popular archaeology degrees available at top-ranking institutions across the world.

Bachelor’s programs

• B.A. in Archaeology
• B.A. in Anthropology
• B.S./BSc. in Archaeology
• B.S./BSc. in Bioarchaeology
• B.A. in History
• B.A. in Geography

Master’s programs

• M.A. in Archaeology and Anthropology
• M.S./M.Sc. in Archaeology
• M.S./M.Sc. in Bioarchaeology
• M.S./M.Sc. in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
• M.S./M.Sc. in Forensic Investigation
• Mater of Field Archaeology
• Master of Heritage Management
• Master of Landscape Archaeology
• Master of Egyptology

Doctoral programs 

Even though, a master’s degree is sufficient for the majority of archaeological jobs, some positions, however, do favor candidates with a Ph.D. For example, a P.h.D. in Archeology is required for most roles in research, such as governmental archaeological sites or projects. In addition, archaeologists who want to work in academia must have a Ph.D. degree.

Specializations in Archaeology

Archaeology is a broad subject that links many other disciplines, including geography, history, and social sciences. Plus, specializations in science degrees, such as biology, botany, medicine, geology, or environmental science can also be considered for archelogy. 

There are four primary areas to consider in archeology:

1. Contract or business archaeology: It involves working for a developer who is in charge of the cost and time required for the entire project.
2. Research or academic archaeology: This area of archaeology consists of working on sites or projects based on funding and may involve months to several years of work.
3. Specialist archaeology: It focuses on certain geographical areas, historical periods, or material categories like pottery, coinage, or bones.
4. Community archaeology: In this, the  work is carried out by professional organizations but the public is also involved. 

The following are some specific specializations in the field of archeology:

• Field Archaeology
• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Linguistic Archaeology
• Geoarchaeology
• Digital Archaeology
• Environmental Archaeology
• Cultural Resource Management
• Underwater Archaeology
• Historical Archaeology
• Bioarchaeology
• Biblical Archaeology
• Classical Archaeology

Duration of programs in Archaeology 

Archaeology courses vary in length depending on the country and university. The following are the average durations of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in archaeology:

Career opportunities in Archaeology

Archaeologists can find work in museums and historic sites, colleges and universities with cultural resource management sections. Most of their jobs are in the public sector rather than the private sector. Some archaeologists might work as consultants or start their own businesses after gaining enough experience in the field. A typical job path for an archaeologist can include several years as a digger, followed by a few years as a site supervisor, and then a transition into management roles. The following are the potential career options for an archaeologist:

• Archaeologist
• Conservator
• Academic researcher
• Professor
• Documentation specialist
• Museum curator
• Field technician or supervisor
• Cultural resource lawyer
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysts
• Heritage manager

Average salaries for Archaeologists

A bachelor’s degree is required to find employment in this field. Bachelor’s degree holders may be employed as assistants or fieldworkers, which pays less. Fieldwork experience is also beneficial to get a higher salary in archeology. A master’s degree in archaeology opens up more job prospects and pays better. The following table shows the average annual salary of archaeologists around the world.

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.

Top 50 Universities in the world for Archaeology based on subject rankings (QS/THE/US News)

Top universities in the USA for Archaeology

When it comes to the quality of education, the USA ranks at the top among all other nations. Therefore, studying in the USA is the first choice of many international students. All the world’s well-known and top-ranked colleges in archaeology belong to the USA. These American universities offer courses such as bachelor’s in archeology, master’s in archeology, and other specialized courses pertaining to arceology. 

Top universities in the UK for Archaeology 

Studying in the UK, especially a course on a subject such as archeology, is the second best choice after the USA for international students. The duration of bachelor’s degrees in archaeology is often shorter (3 years) in the UK. Similarly, master’s courses in archaeology in the UK are of one year duration mostly. Refer to the table below containing the top universities in the UK for archaeology.

Top universities in Canada for Archaeology

International students flock to Canada to study because of its high living standards and quality education. Due to the high employment rate in Canada, a Canadian bachelor’s degree in archaeology will easily fetch a decent paying job. A master’s degree in archaeology will allow a graduate to easily climb the professional ladder and get a salary hike in Canada. 

Top universities in Australia for Archaeology

After the USA and the UK, Australia is the third most popular destination for overseas students in the English-speaking world. The cultural diversity, the high quality of education, and the friendly natives are the top reasons why international students prefer to study in Australia. Universities in Australia are known for offering diverse bachelor’s courses in archaeological studies. For example, the Australian National University has the following bachelor’s courses in archaeology:

• Bachelor of Archaeological Practice
• Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship
• Bachelor of Arts degree
• Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology)

Australian universities also have a variety of specializations for master’s degrees in archaeology.

Top universities in France for Archaeology

Paris, capital of France, is not only known a palace for fashion, but it is also an excellent place to study in France. Despite the fact that just a few universities provide bachelor’s degrees in archaeology, there are a large number of archaeological sites in France that are potential employment options for international students pursuing archeology in France. A few specialized master’s programs in archaeology are also offered by these institutes.

Academic requirements for studying Archaeology

Getting admission to a foreign institution for archaeology is not an easy task. It is necessary to have knowledge of basic arithmetic, science, English, and history. In addition to their digging capabilities, archaeologists must have great research and writing skills. They must be able to speak with a wide range of people, so learning a foreign language may be advantageous. This will be useful, particularly when writing a statement of purpose as part of the admissions process. Here are some of the academic prerequisites that top archaeological universities throughout the world ask for.

Bachelor’s level

• A high school diploma with a GPA of 3.0 or greater out of 4.0
• Academic transcripts 
• Valid passport
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation letter
• English language proficiency (TOEFL 90 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)

Master’s level

• A bachelor’s degree in archaeology or a relevant field with a GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Academic transcripts 
• Valid passport
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation letters
• Work experience
• Portfolio for auditions
• English language proficiency (TOEFL 90 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)