Archaeology and conservation
Our widely-respected practical degrees deliver the training, skills and knowledge to help you make your mark within the heritage sector, plus the employability skills to carve out your career in related fields.
Why study with us
Curious about the human experience across millennia and cultures, we are seeking to better understand our past to illuminate our present and improve our future. We are an inquisitive academic community, passionate about the study of the past and beliefs from prehistoric times to contemporary societies.
After graduation
95% of our graduates were in employment and/or further study, due to start a new job or course, or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after the end of their course (HESA data).
Our research
Placed 9th in the UK for research in Archaeology and 5th for research impact (REF 2021).
The test of time
Fresh from celebrating a 100 years of pioneering archaeology and conservation, today our experts continue to share trail-blazing discoveries and latest techniques and thinking.
Courses
Entry year
Our talks and videos
Studying archaeology and conservation at Cardiff University
Our virtual open day presentation gives a flavour of our undergraduate archaeology and conservation courses, how we teach, and the additional opportunities available as part of your degree.
Archaeology taster lecture
Dr Anna Davies-Barrett, Lecturer in Archaeology, discusses her research in this short talk entitled: 'The path to COVID - how respiratory disease has plagued past people too'.
Archaeology and conservation at Cardiff University
Hear from academics and students about what it is like to study archaeology and conservation with us.
School of History, Archaeology and Religion at Cardiff University
Find out more about studying at the School of History, Archaeology and Religion.
The placements are invaluable - I was lucky to go into the field and a major commercial unit, giving me broad skills for future employment, numerous industry connections, and fantastic friendships.
Cardiff Archaeology and Conservation facilities are first-rate, with recent investment in new suites and equipment.
Student conservators remove dirt built up over decades from a 25th/26th dynasty Egyptian coffin.
A student carefully micro-excavates an archaeological ceramic vessel that has been lifted in a plaster jacket from an excavation.
Phil Parkes, reader in conservation, demonstrates the use of the scanning electron microscope.
Conservation involves a considerable amount of very fine motor skills such as using magnification to assist in removing corrosion from this coin.
A conservation student uses a heated micro-spatula (on loan from RH Engineering) to re-lay damaged flakes of paint.
Archaeologists at Cardiff are addressing key issues about our past, from the diversity of the Mary Rose in Tudor England to the extraordinary catchment of Stonehenge from across Britain.
Archaeology students sampling Norse sheep teeth for isotope analysis in one of our dedicated bioarchaeology laboratories.
A student studying a skeleton excavated by a Cardiff University team from the eroding Glamorgan coastline.
Hands-on experience
An innovative and internationally recognised centre of excellence
Most lectures, tutorials and practicals take place in our home, the John Percival Building. It includes purpose-designed and specialist suites of conservation and archaeological laboratories.
Just next door is the Arts and Social Sciences Library, home to our prestigious Special Collections plus extensive collections and archives in Archaeology, Ancient History and History.
Explore Cardiff University
Next steps
View our archaeology and conservation undergraduate courses
Explore our courses.
Contact us
Ask a question via our enquiry form, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
How to apply
Everything you need to know about our application process.
Other subjects you might be interested in
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency, latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
Contains HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2022. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data.
Undergraduate
With over 300 courses to choose from, join us and benefit from our excellent facilities, a great student experience and as a graduate, be in demand by leading employers.
Undergraduate prospectus 2023
Order or download a copy of our prospectus, subject brochures and other guides.