Truro and Penwith College

FdSc Archaeology

UCAS course code V400
Institution code T85
Duration

2 years
Course type

Full-time, Part-time route available
Study location Truro and Penwith College
Apply at UCAS.com
Rated Ofsted Outstanding (2016), Truro and Penwith College provides a range of quality degree courses with employer needs in mind. All students benefit from an excellent support network that helps to put them on the best footing for a successful future after graduating. Finding themselves at home in purpose-built buildings with expert lecturers and access to industry-standard equipment, students can study a quality university course right here in Cornwall.
A variety of people enter higher education with an assortment of experiences and commitments, but with the flexibility at the heart of our programmes, the College offers a compressed timetable and small class sizes to allow students to study in a relaxed and supportive environment. Whatever your background, studying University courses at Truro and Penwith College means an opportunity to study locally, the chance to fit home or part-time work around your lectures and the one thing all our students have in common – the shared experiences of a quality education right here in Cornwall.
For more information visit the Truro and Penwith College website.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    TRUR1257
    Archaeology, Landscape & Environment From Prehistory to Roman Times

    Human ecology and society in Britain from prehistory till the Romano-British period will be studied, in context with the relevant world archaeology. Interpreting the evidence of fossil landscapes and archaeological evidence is the focus of the module with a programme of field trips, reinforcing the science and theory.

    TRUR1258
    Excavation, Post-Excavation & Archives

    This module covers the how and why of excavations, and subsequent post-excavation processes. Particular attention is given to stratigraphy. It shows how provision for the long-term study and conservation of materials and structures recovered from excavations is built into the excavation design. Finally, the role of archives in managing and displaying the results of such work is investigated.

    TRUR1259
    History of Archaeological Debate

    The content of this module includes the history of archaeology to the present, and the interpretation of archaeology, including issues such as nationalism, gender and racism. It also investigates ICT technologies as sources of reliable and appropriate information.

    TRUR1260
    Post-Roman to Recent Times

    Students will study the periods in Britain from the Late Roman period until the present, with particular emphasis on anthropological and economic aspects. As well as basic chronological and environmental outline, recent topics of research will be covered. The scientific and theoretical background will complement the field trips. Also, this module covers an introduction to the use of statistics, spreadsheets and databases.

    TRUR1261
    Field Survey and Site Reconstruction

    Students will cover the development of surveying ideas and techniques, analysing their whys and limitations. Crucial concepts of modern survey are introduced and linked to practical exercises, covering a broad range of conventional techniques. Students analyse the role of experimental and experiential archaeology in recording structures. This informs what and how archaeologists record structures more effectively.

    TRUR1262
    Entrepreneurship and Professional Development

    This module is designed to enable students to demonstrate that they have the qualities, skill and innovation needed for employment in their chosen sector. The module will enable students to exercise a sustainable approach to decision making including the ability to relate their professional practice to underlying theory and principles

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    TRUR2257
    Archaeology, Geology & Landscapes of Cornwall

    Students will learn the importance of local geological knowledge in archaeological projects, making effective use of geology and integrating it with archaeological data. They will also study all periods of Cornish archaeology, developing an appreciation of detailed local archaeological knowledge. The scientific and theoretical background will complement the field trips.

    TRUR2258
    Museum Conservation & Management

    Students study a wide range of techniques and principles, including organisation, conservation, ethics and analysis in managing and presenting objects for display

    TRUR2259
    Archaeological and Environmental Science

    This module will include scientific approaches and techniques for dating and materials analysis, with assessment of scientific reports, field assessment and some theoretical considerations

    TRUR2260
    Landscape and Site Mapping, Imaging and Modelling

    Students will learn how to plan survey critically and make professional assessments in the field in the light of recent approaches. This module will cover the development of surveying ideas and techniques, analysing why they were used and what their limitations are. The importance of managing and modelling data is also covered. The module includes practical experience of modern technologies.

    TRUR2261
    Professional Project

    Students develop and apply skills and knowledge from a relevant or appropriate work situation/ placement. They develop awareness of learning from experience and planning for their own continued development as independent learners. The Project involves the completion of data collection, the synthesis of evidence and the effective presentation of the results. The topic will normally require the collection of primary data.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

TPC Programme Specification FdSc Archaeology 21 22 6995

Fees, costs and funding
As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024 the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to Parliamentary procedure. The University will give further details to both prospective and current students as soon as more information becomes available.

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Our partnership with Truro and Penwith College
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with Truro and Penwith College

We’re one of the leading colleges in the country, delivering teaching and learning to the highest level. With three modern campuses at Truro, Penwith (at Penzance) and Tregye, we provide you with a unique university experience.
Plymouth students working on a group project