Archaeologist careers guide

Getting into Archaeologist careers

An Archaeologist helps us to learn more about human history and prehistory by examining important sites, excavating (digging up) historical artefacts, studying the items they find, and using those items to inform knowledge and theories about the past.

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Dinosaurs and fossils are amazing! But human history is amazing, too. As an Archaeologist in the UK you can discover our incredible heritage from e,g, the Bronze and Iron Age, helping us build a better understanding of how people used to live.

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Useful Skills To Put On Your CV:

• Computer skills. Archaeologists use a vast array of computer systems to support them in their explorations. Knowledge of areas such as computer aided design (CAD), digital illustration, and geographical information systems (GIS) will be particularly beneficial.
• Excellent teamwork. Archaeologists work as part of a team and may work with the same people on one site (or “dig”) for many months, so you’ll need to be a people person and a team player.
• Curiosity, open-mindedness, and a sense of adventure. Archaeologists are explorers and the best tend to be endlessly curious individuals with a thirst for knowledge.
• Research skills, as you will need to conduct research to determine how your finds fit in with existing historical knowledge and theory.
  Strong written communication. Archaeologists produce and present written reports on their finds, meaning that great writing skills are essential.
• Organisation and a methodical approach. As an Archaeologist, you will need to keep meticulous records of your digs and your findings.
• A good understanding of data and record-keeping.
• A passionate interest in history.

Top Skills-Boosting Tip

Check out the Archaeology Skills Passport, created by the British Archaeological Jobs Resource (BAJR.) This site contains a wealth of information about the primary, secondary, and tertiary skills you’ll need to become an Archaeologist.

How Do You Get These Skills?

Vocational qualifications and work experience will help you build these skills over time.

Build Your Skills With the FREE Young Professional Programme

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a scheme where you train while earning a starting salary. With an apprenticeship (or advanced apprenticeship) you’ll have a paid job with an employer that includes structured training and learning. This training leads to an official qualification that’s recognised by employers as an industry standard.

There are several different apprenticeships available in Archaeology, ranging from Level 3 Archaeological Technician apprenticeships through to Level 7 Archaeological Specialist apprenticeships, as well as many others in related areas and with related organisations. Have a look at the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ apprenticeships page and Historic England apprenticeships to learn more and find opportunities.

BTECs

As an alternative to A-Levels, you can do BTECs from the age of 16.

There are several BTEC options that can be a good springboard into a career in archaeology, including:

• Entry Level Certificate in History
• Accredited Level 2 Diploma in History
• Level 3 Diploma in Archaeology
• Level 3 Certificate in Archaeological Practice
• Level 3 Diploma in History

You’ll normally need 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9-3 (A*-D) or equivalent for a Level 2 or 3 course. If your qualifications are lower than this, you’ll most likely start on a Level 1 course.

A-Levels

A Levels are academic qualifications that come after GCSEs. A Levels can be an ideal stepping stone to a higher qualification such as an apprenticeship or degree in Archaeology. Needless to say, History and Ancient History are great choices for aspiring archaeologists.

Other good subjects you might consider include Classical Civilisation, Geology, Sociology, English, Maths, or science subjects such as Biology and Chemistry.

Degrees and University

Most practising Archaeologists have a university degree. Therefore, if you want to go into this field, you will likely need to plan to go to university. Numerous universities including Oxford, Cambridge, York, Manchester, Leicester, Exeter, Liverpool, and Nottingham (to name just a few) now offer undergraduate degrees in Archaeology.

Some universities also offer combined courses or degrees in particular areas of Archaeology, such as Archaeology and Heritage, Archaeology and Anthropology, Classical Archaeology, and Egyptology.

Postgraduate Degrees

If you already have a Bachelor’s degree, you can take a postgraduate qualification such as a Masters Degree in an Archaeology-related subject. Many professional Archaeologists have a postgraduate degree.

You can take a Masters Degree in Archaeology, as well as in more specialised areas such as Egyptology, Classical Archaeology, Classical Art and Archaeology, and Archaeological Practice.

Many Archaeologists start their careers on fixed-term contracts doing archaeological fieldwork. This will be hard work and you’ll need to be physically fit and willing to work in all weathers, but you will gain valuable experience and it will make it much easier for you to land a permanent job later on. In addition to opportunities working at sites or “digs”, you might also work in settings such as a museum, laboratory, or office.

As your career progresses, numerous exciting options are open to you. You’ll be able to land contracts on more exciting digs. You might find yourself leading a team of Archaeologists, working on a self-employed or consultancy basis, specialising in a particular area of archaeology, undertaking research, taking a senior position in the museums and heritage sector, or teaching future archaeologists in higher education. You could become an Archaeological Conservator with Youth Friendly Employers like Historic England, analysing archaeological finds with clever, modern methods.

Work Experience Tips

Archaeology is a highly competitive career, with more hopefuls than available posts. This means that any experience you can gain will help you tremendously as you build your career.

Historic England offers short-term training placements as well as work experience placements for aspiring archaeologists twice per year, which offer a fantastic opportunity to learn more about this career path and what is involved.

You could also apply for work experience at organisations such as museums, heritage sites, Archaeology and Classics faculties at universities (such as Cambridge), and archaeological organisations and societies.

Examples of relevant work experience include:

• Work shadowing (even if it’s just for a day)
• Work placements in a company
• Work experience placements on a college or university course

Work experience tips

Volunteering Tips

Volunteering always looks great on your CV, particularly when it is directly relevant to the job you hope to do. Fortunately, there are numerous volunteering opportunities available for aspiring Archaeologists, allowing you to gain hands-on experience and learn more about the field as well as building your CV for those future job applications.

Museums and heritage organisations such as Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), industry bodies such as the Council for British Archaeology, community archaeological projects such as the Culver Project, city and county council archaeology units, university Archaeology departments, student Archaeology Societies, and hobbyist archaeology organisations are just some of the places you could look for volunteering opportunities.

Volunteering tips

Example daily job responsibilities

• (For team leaders or Senior Archaeologists) managing a team of Archaeologists and volunteers and overseeing the dig
• Record findings (for example by making notes, drawing diagrams, and taking photographs)
• Clean, preserve, store, and transport found artefacts
• Produce and present written and verbal reports on finds
• Research, identify, and classify finds
• Conduct laboratory tests on found objects

• Work to ensure the preservation of historical artefacts, sites, and buildings
• Use various computer applications to record and interpret finds
• Create, oversee, or advise on museum displays of found artefacts
• Write and publish educational, publicity, and media materials on projects and notable finds
• Give educational talks and presentations to students or members of the public
• Liaise with other relevant bodies, such as cultural and heritage organisations or local government, to coordinate excavations

If you choose to do an apprenticeship in Archaeology you may be offered a job at the end of your training. While this is not a guarantee, many employers will look more favourably on your application if you have completed an apprenticeship with them.

As we have mentioned, most Archaeologists have a degree. This means that there are many jobs available for talented new graduates. If you’re doing a degree in Archaeology, you should start looking and applying for jobs long before you graduate.

Once you have the appropriate skills and qualifications, you can also apply directly to organisations advertising for Archaeologists and related professionals.

Look for job titles like:

• Archaeologist
• Assistant Archaeologist
• Field Archaeologist
• Graduate Archaeologist
• Archaeological Consultant

Take a look at our database of local opportunities to see if there are any relevant jobs, work placements, or careers events and workshops to help you get started. Historic England also has several exciting vacancies for you to check out.

These employers all carry our Youth Friendly Employer Mark. We work with them to make sure that they are providing great support and opportunities to young people.

Click on an employer to find out more about them and the youth-friendly opportunities they offer, from work experience and apprenticeships through to graduate schemes.