A*AA, or 41–42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level
The minimum offer is A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. Cambridge's listed requirements are for entry in 2027 or deferred entry in 2028.
Undergraduate · Cambridge Archaeology
Cambridge Archaeology: four subjects, one course and how to decide
Cambridge's Archaeology degree is really four subjects under one roof: archaeology, Assyriology, biological anthropology and Egyptology. It asks for A*AA or the IB equivalent, names no required subjects, sets no admission assessment and asks for one or two short essays depending on the College. The applicant's decision is which of the four disciplines draws them, and whether they want Cambridge's approach rather than the combined archaeology and anthropology course Oxford offers. Everything cycle-specific here is Cambridge's wording for 2027 entry; nothing below is a confirmed 2028 requirement.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Cambridge asks for in Archaeology
Taken from Cambridge's Archaeology course page and its written-work and interviews pages and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Cambridge's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
No specific subjects
Cambridge does not ask for any specific subjects. It would recommend certain subjects for a strong application, ideally any combination of arts, humanities, sciences or social sciences.
No assessment; one or two essays
There is no admission assessment for this course. You need to submit either one or two pieces of written work, in essay format, up to 1,500 words, and the work can be taken from an EPQ.
Two Colleges ask for two essays
In the cycle described, Robinson and St John's required two pieces of submitted work, and other Colleges named on the page required one.
Four subjects, fieldwork and a dissertation
You can study archaeology, Assyriology, biological anthropology or Egyptology, or combine two of them. Most students write a 10,000-word dissertation in the third year.
Official sources
- University of Cambridge: Archaeology, BA (Hons) (undergraduate course page)undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: Written work and portfoliosundergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
Read on 31 October 2026 on Cambridge's Archaeology course page and its written-work and interviews pages, which describes 2027 entry. Individual Colleges' written-work instructions and deadlines, the College-by-College interview formats, the Department of Archaeology's own pages and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The course
A broad first year, then a choice of four subjects
Cambridge says the course is flexible: you can study a broad range of subjects, or specialise from the first year. There are four main subjects. Archaeology uses material evidence, from molecules to monumental structures, to explore the human past. Assyriology covers the languages, cultures, history and archaeology of ancient Mesopotamia. Biological anthropology investigates human evolution and diversity, biology and behaviour. Egyptology covers the history, languages, society, archaeology and religion of ancient Egypt. In the first year you study three papers from core archaeology, language and biological anthropology options, and a fourth paper that can be another core subject or an option such as psychology, social anthropology, politics and international relations or sociology. Fieldwork, study tours and a dissertation feature in later years.
Is it for you?
Cambridge Archaeology, or something nearby?
Several courses ask similar questions about humans and their pasts. They are built differently.
Choose Cambridge Archaeology if
you are drawn to material evidence, ancient languages or human evolution, and you want to specialise in one of four named subjects, with fieldwork.
Look at Oxford Archaeology and Anthropology if
you want archaeology and social anthropology together in one degree. That is a separate course with its own guide and different written-work rules.
Look at Classics if
your interest is language and culture of Greece and Rome. Cambridge Classics has its own guide and its own language requirements.
Reading the offer
A*AA, with no required subject and a broad mix preferred
The offer is A*AA, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. Cambridge asks for no specific subjects and says ideally any combination of arts, humanities, sciences or social sciences. It reports that most past entrants studied at least one mathematics or science subject and at least one arts, language or humanities subject, and adds that common combinations do not mean those combinations are favoured. A mixed profile is therefore normal here, not a special case.
Written work and interviews
One or two short essays, and no assessment
There is no admission assessment. You need to submit one or two pieces of written work, which should be in essay format, not science coursework or a timed exam, with a limit of up to 1,500 words. Cambridge says the work can be taken from an EPQ. Most Colleges named on the page require one piece, and Robinson and St John's require two. Cambridge's general guidance is that work should be marked by your teacher, with comments, and be something you are happy to discuss. Interviews are academic conversations, online or in person depending on the College.
A note on preparation
What Cambridge says about commercial interview services
Cambridge says some companies offer interview preparation for a fee, that these services are not endorsed by the University and have no exclusive information, and that all official guidance is free on its website. Avandy's support is independent and limited to helping a student explore the subject and choose their written work.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Cambridge's.
Which of the four subjects would you choose first?
Knowing your answer, even tentatively, makes a sharper application. If you cannot choose, a broad first year suits you.
Does fieldwork or language learning attract you?
Archaeology involves digs and fieldwork, and Assyriology and Egyptology involve ancient languages.
Which essay shows how you handle evidence?
Choose a short essay in which you used evidence to build an argument, whether in history, science or elsewhere.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Cambridge has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Cambridge published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Cambridge has not yet published it.
Grades, the absence of required subjects, the absence of an assessment and the one or two essays: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Cambridge has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
UCAS deadline, written-work deadlines, interview dates and any change to selection arrangements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Cambridge's Archaeology course page and its written-work and interviews pages for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Decide which of the four subjects interests you most, find an essay of up to 1,500 words that shows how you use evidence, and check shortlisted Colleges' instructions.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here helps a student explore the subject, plan reading and choose submitted work; it does not write, edit or rewrite any submitted piece, and Avandy has no access to exclusive Cambridge information. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the Cambridge Archaeology entry requirements?
A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level, with no specific subjects required. This is Cambridge's wording for entry in 2027 or deferred entry in 2028.
Do I need a particular subject?
No. Cambridge asks for none and says ideally any combination of arts, humanities, sciences or social sciences.
Is there an admissions test?
No. Cambridge says there is no admission assessment for this course. You do submit one or two pieces of written work.
What should the written work be?
An essay of up to 1,500 words, not science coursework or a timed exam. It can be taken from an EPQ, and it should be marked by your teacher.
Is this the same as Oxford Archaeology and Anthropology?
No. Oxford combines archaeology with anthropology in one degree. Cambridge offers archaeology, Assyriology, biological anthropology and Egyptology as four subjects within one course.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Cambridge's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Cambridge publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Cambridge Archaeology
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mix of arts and science subjects and the essay they might submit, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.