UCL Archaeology 2012 Undergraduate Applicants

Question from a Year 11 student... Do you need to take Geography to be able to do Archaeology at uni? Would I be able to do it with Maths, Physics, Economics, History and Russian. I know that is a very odd combination for archaeology, but I will most probably go into Economics or some sort of engineering. I'm just thinking ahead, incase I end up wanting to do archaeology...

It's a retarded question I know, but oh well...

Reply 201

Sushifer

Original post by luke.vatkovsky

Question from a Year 11 student... Do you need to take Geography to be able to do Archaeology at uni? Would I be able to do it with Maths, Physics, Economics, History and Russian. I know that is a very odd combination for archaeology, but I will most probably go into Economics or some sort of engineering. I'm just thinking ahead, incase I end up wanting to do archaeology...

It's a retarded question I know, but oh well...

Nope, you definitely don't need to take Geography unless you actually want to! One of the lovely things about Archaeology is that it's one of the very few subjects where you don't need any specific subjects at A level or GCSE to study it at uni. (for a BA, that is, more specialist degrees like BSc or Classics will obviously require things like a science or a classical language, but are still pretty flexible) I mean, I did English Lit at AS last year, but dropped it so now I'm studying Chemistry, Biology, and History at A2. People I've spoken to who've been applying for archaeology this year have been taking subjects as diverse as Psychology and Physics. So, pick what you want to study at A level because anything goes- your A level choices look absolutely fine to me.

Oh, and congrats, x8Charlotte8x!

Reply 202

yakuzakitty

OP

11

Original post by x8Charlotte8x

i got an offer today... i was so sure that they had decided to reject me early, as it wasn't the 27th!!!!!

I was exactly the same :s-smilie:

But congrats!

Reply 203

x8Charlotte8x

2

Original post by Sushifer

Nope, you definitely don't need to take Geography unless you actually want to! One of the lovely things about Archaeology is that it's one of the very few subjects where you don't need any specific subjects at A level or GCSE to study it at uni. (for a BA, that is, more specialist degrees like BSc or Classics will obviously require things like a science or a classical language, but are still pretty flexible) I mean, I did English Lit at AS last year, but dropped it so now I'm studying Chemistry, Biology, and History at A2. People I've spoken to who've been applying for archaeology this year have been taking subjects as diverse as Psychology and Physics. So, pick what you want to study at A level because anything goes- your A level choices look absolutely fine to me.

Oh, and congrats, x8Charlotte8x!

Original post by yakuzakitty

I was exactly the same :s-smilie:

But congrats!

Thanks! And congrats to you and everyone else! :smile:

Reply 204

ArchAnon

Well done everyone who got an offer!
And good luck to everyone being interviewed tomorrow, see you then x

Reply 205

AquilaXenon

Well done to everyone with offers :smile:

I finally received the questionnaire this evening which I need to return by Monday, so it looks like I'm going to have the busiest five days trying to complete everything that I need to, but at least it's progress! (I've applied for Arch & Anth by the way)

Reply 206

yakuzakitty

OP

11

Original post by AquilaXenon

Well done to everyone with offers :smile:

I finally received the questionnaire this evening which I need to return by Monday, so it looks like I'm going to have the busiest five days trying to complete everything that I need to, but at least it's progress! (I've applied for Arch & Anth by the way)

Ahh don't worry too much about the questionnaire. Obviously give it your best, but there's no need to agonise over it. Just be honest and show your passion and interest :smile:

Reply 207

AquilaXenon

Original post by yakuzakitty

Ahh don't worry too much about the questionnaire. Obviously give it your best, but there's no need to agonise over it. Just be honest and show your passion and interest :smile:

Yeah I'm hoping to spend Friday night on it as I've got exams tomorrow and Thursday and I've already got Thursday night and Saturday taken up by other things so fingers crossed I can get it done. It doesn't look too bad though.

How long does it tend to take after the deadline for the questionnaire to hear about interviews? I've been given the dates I could be called on if I get one but I was just wondering how much notice you get.

Reply 208

Pandora.

15

Original post by luke.vatkovsky

Question from a Year 11 student... Do you need to take Geography to be able to do Archaeology at uni? Would I be able to do it with Maths, Physics, Economics, History and Russian. I know that is a very odd combination for archaeology, but I will most probably go into Economics or some sort of engineering. I'm just thinking ahead, incase I end up wanting to do archaeology...

It's a retarded question I know, but oh well...

Finally, another Year 11 who wants to do Archaeology! I thought I was the only one! :colondollar:

Glad to hear Geography isn't thought of as necessary, I hate it at GCSE level.

Congratulations to all of you with offers, and good luck to the rest of you! :smile:

Reply 209

yakuzakitty

OP

11

Original post by AquilaXenon

Yeah I'm hoping to spend Friday night on it as I've got exams tomorrow and Thursday and I've already got Thursday night and Saturday taken up by other things so fingers crossed I can get it done. It doesn't look too bad though.

How long does it tend to take after the deadline for the questionnaire to hear about interviews? I've been given the dates I could be called on if I get one but I was just wondering how much notice you get.

Um if I recall it was about a week. But things may be different for you, as you're arch/anth...

Reply 210

HollieH

Hi!
I'm applying to UCL to do a Bsc in Archaeology. I don't take sciences but on their website it said the course was not subject specific and there seemed to be more diverse course routes in the Bsc. I got the questionnaire through today but I have no idea what to write! I've been looking through the thread and everyone has such high predicted grades, I study English Lit, History and Italian and I'm predicted AAB but I hope to get an A* in English Lit and I might not even get the B in Italian!
One of my history teachers has a degree in archaeology so I will speak to her and see if she can help me, other than that does anyone have any help on what to put in the questionnaire?
I've also got an interview at Reading in March sometime which I have to confirm and I'm waiting on Southampton!

Reply 211

yakuzakitty

OP

11

Original post by HollieH

Hi!
I'm applying to UCL to do a Bsc in Archaeology. I don't take sciences but on their website it said the course was not subject specific and there seemed to be more diverse course routes in the Bsc. I got the questionnaire through today but I have no idea what to write! I've been looking through the thread and everyone has such high predicted grades, I study English Lit, History and Italian and I'm predicted AAB but I hope to get an A* in English Lit and I might not even get the B in Italian!
One of my history teachers has a degree in archaeology so I will speak to her and see if she can help me, other than that does anyone have any help on what to put in the questionnaire?
I've also got an interview at Reading in March sometime which I have to confirm and I'm waiting on Southampton!

Well apparently when you get to UCL, you can switch from a BA to a BSc if you do the right modules. So I don't see there being a problem if you don't currently do sciences.

In terms of grades, you have brilliant predicted grades as well :biggrin:

Though I should say, unless you get a B in Italian there's a good chance you won't meet your offer, if you get one. Not trying to scare you, just motivate you :smile:

Well I'd advise getting some practical excavation experience, and reading some textbooks or articles. Archaeology admissions tutors love experience. Maybe subscribe to an archaeology magazine as well, then write about the issues and sites in there that interest you?

I had an interview at Reading, they're dead nice (and they give you loads of free food :wink:

). I had an interview with Southampton too, but I withdrew my application because tbh it was too far away, and I'd already had offers from my top two universities... So :smile:

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 212

dirtyoldriver

10

Original post by HollieH

Hi!
I'm applying to UCL to do a Bsc in Archaeology. I don't take sciences but on their website it said the course was not subject specific and there seemed to be more diverse course routes in the Bsc. I got the questionnaire through today but I have no idea what to write! I've been looking through the thread and everyone has such high predicted grades, I study English Lit, History and Italian and I'm predicted AAB but I hope to get an A* in English Lit and I might not even get the B in Italian!
One of my history teachers has a degree in archaeology so I will speak to her and see if she can help me, other than that does anyone have any help on what to put in the questionnaire?
I've also got an interview at Reading in March sometime which I have to confirm and I'm waiting on Southampton!

All I would recommend is just answering the questions totally honestly, the questionnaire isn't there for you to say what you think they want to hear - they're trying to get to know you better. Also it doesn't need to be as glossy as your PS, just be yourself in it! Say why you want to do archaeology, why you want to be there etc etc, if you've got this far the answer must be within you somewhere :smile:

ALSO just incase the post above panics you if you don't have a ton of experience or knowledge, don't worry!! I literally had 3 days of scrubbing pottery with a toothbrush and that was it. I think you have to choose a site to talk about so flick through some magazines, get a good understanding of one and talk about that. They don't expect you to be an archaeology genius or to have been out into the field, although obviously they like you to know vaguely what being on a site entails it doesn't have to go beyond that.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 213

dirtyoldriver

10

Original post by yakuzakitty

Well I'd advise getting some practical excavation experience, and reading some textbooks or articles. Archaeology admissions tutors love experience. Maybe subscribe to an archaeology magazine as well, then write about the issues and sites in there that interest you?

Not to nitpick, but they're not exactly going to find excavation experience within the week that you have to write the questionnaire.
Seriously, I have a friend who was like "I don't even know what archaeology is to be honest" in her interview and she got in. If I could go back and tell myself anything this time last year it would be to stop bloody panicking so much and I wish I'd had someone to tell me it wasn't as high-pressure as I'd thought, rather than me thinking I had to be an absolute god :p:

Reply 214

yakuzakitty

OP

11

Original post by dirtyoldriver

Not to nitpick, but they're not exactly going to find excavation experience within the week that you have to write the questionnaire.
Seriously, I have a friend who was like "I don't even know what archaeology is to be honest" in her interview and she got in. If I could go back and tell myself anything this time last year it would be to stop bloody panicking so much and I wish I'd had someone to tell me it wasn't as high-pressure as I'd thought, rather than me thinking I had to be an absolute god :p:

That's true :P Though I suppose it couldn't hurt to say something like "I'm hoping to go here and dig this summer".
Ahh yeah, but I guess everyone has the feeling their their top choice uni might not want them for some reason...

Reply 215

ArchAnon

Original post by dirtyoldriver

Not to nitpick, but they're not exactly going to find excavation experience within the week that you have to write the questionnaire.
Seriously, I have a friend who was like "I don't even know what archaeology is to be honest" in her interview and she got in. If I could go back and tell myself anything this time last year it would be to stop bloody panicking so much and I wish I'd had someone to tell me it wasn't as high-pressure as I'd thought, rather than me thinking I had to be an absolute god :p:

You don't need ANY excavation experience at all, majority of people who apply have never done anything practical, they don't expect you to know anything about the subject so regardless of whether you're doing it at A level or its your first taster, everyone starts with the basics. The staff interviewing and doing admissions at UCL don't prefer you to exhibit experience as was said by Yakuzakitty (sorry to correct), I am involved in the open days and chat with the staff and none of them expect this or even want it, they want your time at the department to be about learning, growing and adapting your knowledge. I came to my interview with no previous experience what so ever so this is not imperative at all. They don't want to know what you know, they want to know you.

With your questionnaire answer truthfully, the don't need you to recite what you've learnt, all they want is for you to exhibit a passion for the subject and an eagerness to learn. The BSc is pretty much the same as the BA, I'm in my 2nd year and in all honesty I still don't know the difference. Its more dissertation orientated the BSc in that you will have to write it based more scientifically than culture historically but thats ages away, so you have plenty of time to decide!

The questionnaires and interviews are not high pressure at all, we had an open day today and everyone I spoke to told me how they wish that before they'd not panicked so much as it was an informal chat. About your grades, while you need to get the grades to get in officially, Bill Sillar (one of the admissions tutors) said literally today that they have been fighting for the grads to be lower and stay low because he doesn't believe this is a true reflection of skill with regard to Archaeology.

If you have any other questions let me know, sorry its so long but hope I helped x

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 216

yakuzakitty

OP

11

Original post by ArchAnon

...

Ohh I was also told that they really value experience :s-smilie:

Never mind, can't hurt :smile:

Reply 217

ArchAnon

Original post by yakuzakitty

Ohh I was also told that they really value experience :s-smilie:

Never mind, can't hurt :smile:

Its always nice to have don't get me wrong but the Institute doesn't expect it at all, they want passion and eagerness to learn and contribute to the department more than anything else x