Undergraduate
Archaeology
Contact us
Address
Student Central
The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009
Telephone
131 UWA (131 892)
International
(+61 8) 6488 1000
Hours
Frequently asked questions
Careers and further study
This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.
Career Pathways
As an Archaeology graduate, you can apply your skills in a wide variety of workplaces, including Aboriginal corporations, government heritage agencies (state and commonwealth), heritage consulting firms, museums, resource industry advisors, and universities.
Potential career opportunities include:
- Heritage Officer
- Museum Curator
- Consultant Archaeologist
- Native Title Worker
Further Study
Honours is the minimum qualification required to call yourself an archaeologist. At UWA we have honours, masters, and PhD programs in Archaeology.
Fees and scholarships
Domestic Student Fees
For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Admission requirements
The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying one of these majors, find out the admission details below.
Minimum entry requirements
- 3.6
- 75.5
- 254
- 324
- 14.5
- 280
- 61
- 1130
- 56
- 75
Admission requirements
English competency
English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.
How to apply
The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.
Refer to the below regarding application processes for each of the pathways . More information regarding admission requirements and prerequisites for each pathway can be found on the 'Admission Requirements' tab.
Domestic Pathways
- Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC. Refer to TISC Online for current course codes and application deadlines.
- Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline. All domestic applicants must submit a valid GAMSAT score by the application closing date.
International Pathways
- International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
- International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
Course details
About the course
Quick details
- Available
- Perth (Crawley campus)
- Full-time
- Part-time
- On-campus
- February, July
- 12 hours per unit which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations
- Undergraduate
- MJD-ARCGY
- 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Botany 
Geology Put theory into practice
Current UWA students are eligible to take one of our professional experience units. These units bridge the gap between university and the workplace by providing opportunities to gain hands-on, practical experience. You can master new skills, make connections and network, get a taste of the opportunities in the workforce and add experience to your resume, all before graduating.
Find out more about Work Integrated Learning.
Course Structure
Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.
Popular combinations
You'll learn to
- demonstrate essential cognitive and social skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, ethical conduct and working in groups
- display essential practical skills such as OHS practices, understanding legislation and ethics, and working with diverse stakeholders
- display discipline specific skills for archaeological fieldwork and lab-work
- build a professional network with leading experts in archaeology and heritage
Working with our Partners
Zane Blunt
Zane Blunt
He first discovered his passion for archaeology by watching Indiana Jones movies as a kid. It wasn't until much later that he realised what he had fallen in love with was, in fact, the study of archaeology.
"I had originally set out to become a history teacher when I started my undergrad and only took anthropology because it seemed interesting. I remember doing the readings for the very first unit, 'Introduction to Archaeology', and having a 'light bulb' moment of 'this is it, this is the thing I have been searching for'. I had always loved archaeology but I didn't know what it was or that it was something that could become a career."
As part of his honours project, Zane has travelled to the Dampier Archipelago to investigate how people responded to sea-level rise in that area over 10,000 years ago.
"The great thing about archaeology is that it combines so many of the sciences into a cohesive way of understanding past human behaviours."
For his honours project, Zane tested for plant fibres and blood on artefacts with techniques borrowed from biology and examined the elemental makeup of stone tools using specialist geology hardware and techniques.
"Working with the archaeology department here at UWA has changed my life. We are so lucky to have some of the best archaeologists in the world here, and they have been nothing but supportive and encouraging throughout my degree."
"Archaeology isn't just about understanding the past. Archaeologists also work closely with Traditional Owners to help preserve and document some of the oldest and richest cultural practices and materials on Earth, and to help the stories of Australia's Indigenous people be heard."
Interested in Archaeology Honours? Learn more about the program here.
Your degree options
This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Philosophy
Why study this course?
- Work with industry, government, Indigenous groups and the broader community to better understand the past and create sustainable heritage futures
- Gain a comprehensive range of transferable skills that give you a competitive advantage in the job market
- Participate in internationally recognised, research-led, hands-on training in global and Australian archaeology, with access to the internationally recognised Centre for Rock Art Research and Management and Centre for Forensic Anthropology
- Gain practical skills through labs and field schools labs and field schools, including specialist training in environmental archaeological sciences not widely offered in Australia
Why take a second major
- Expand your skills - Taking a second major either in a complementary area or in something like Economics or Business Law will show you have developed transferable skills such as, teamwork, critical thinking, digital literacy and presentation skills – which are highly sought after in the workforce.
- Add it to your resume – Employers are looking for graduates who have skills in a variety of areas. Two majors will expand your career prospects and help you stand out amongst the crowd.
Meet our students
