UCAS F400, three years
UCL describes a three-year BA taught at the Institute of Archaeology.
Undergraduate · UCL Archaeology
UCL Archaeology: an accredited degree with an open entry
UCL's Archaeology BA is taught at the Institute of Archaeology and accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. It asks for ABB and no particular A-level subject, which makes it more open than Oxford's archaeology courses. The decision is whether you want archaeology in a large specialist institute with its own practical and analytical training.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What UCL asks for in Archaeology
Taken from UCL's Archaeology BA course page (a saved copy that UCL labels as possibly not showing recent changes) 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; UCL's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
ABB, with no required subject
The A-level requirement is ABB, with GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
IB 16 points at Higher Level
16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
Professional accreditation
The Institute's undergraduate degrees are accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and Universities Archaeology UK.
No required subject, ABB
UCL lists no required A-level subject.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on UCL's Archaeology BA course page (a saved copy that UCL labels as possibly not showing recent changes), which describes 2027 entry. UCL's department pages, the fees pages, the contextual-offer details and the 2028-entry values were not read, and the page lists no admissions test or interview so none is stated and are not stated.
The course
Concepts, prehistory and practical technique
UCL says students build expertise in archaeological concepts and the major issues of prehistory and get to grips with practical and analytical techniques that transfer to many sectors, going deeper into the periods, regions and specialist skills that interest them most.
Is it the right degree?
UCL Archaeology against Oxford and Anthropology
UCL also teaches an Archaeology BSc, with its own entry rules.
Choose UCL Archaeology BA if
you want an accredited degree with an open subject rule and a choice of periods and regions.
Compare Oxford Archaeology and Anthropology if
you want a joint degree. Avandy's Oxford Archaeology and Anthropology guide records its own rules.
Choose Anthropology if
you want the study of people more broadly. Avandy's UCL Anthropology guide covers it.
Entry rules
ABB with no required subject
A-level applicants need ABB with GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4; no required A-level subject is listed. IB applicants need 16 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5. UCL's page lists no admissions test or interview. This page states no scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not UCL's.
Do you want practical archaeological training?
The degree includes practical and analytical techniques.
Is accreditation relevant?
UCL cites professional accreditation.
Do you prefer a specialist institute?
The Institute of Archaeology teaches the degree.
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 UCL has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means UCL published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means UCL has not yet published it.
Grades, the subject requirements and the preferred-subject guidance: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. UCL has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline and the 2028-entry requirements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check UCL's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm the required subjects, read the course structure and plan your preparation around it.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with University College London 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 means course-fit advice, subject mentoring and ethical preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write applications. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does UCL Archaeology BA require?
ABB at A level with GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4, in UCL's wording for 2027 entry.
What is the IB requirement?
16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
Is the degree accredited?
UCL says all Institute of Archaeology undergraduate degrees are accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and Universities Archaeology UK.
Do I need an archaeology or history A-level?
The page lists no required A-level subject.
Does Avandy state offer scores?
No. This page records UCL's wording for 2027 entry and states no scores or probabilities.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are UCL's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when UCL publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about UCL Archaeology
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their essay-writing subjects, their interest in practical archaeology and how UCL compares with Oxford and Cambridge, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.