Archaeology and Anthropology graduates

6

Hi, I want to study Archaeology and Anthropology at Oxford next year. I want to study the subject because I am highly interested in it. But I am unsure about what I would do after. What would my job and pay prospects be like? I would like to know what graduates of this course have gone on to do.

Reply 1

Sandtrooper

21

Original post

by Jas 89

Hi, I want to study Archaeology and Anthropology at Oxford next year. I want to study the subject because I am highly interested in it. But I am unsure about what I would do after. What would my job and pay prospects be like? I would like to know what graduates of this course have gone on to do.

I did Egyptology (at Liverpool), and I'll be going to Cambridge for my postgraduate studies in October. I have quite a few friends who did archaeology and anthropology (although these are separate degrees at Liverpool - Archaeology or Evolutionary Anthropology - we don't do social). They are in a range of roles - 2 working commercially as archaeologists, with a couple who took a year off before commencing postgraduate studies. I know someone who works in insurance, another working in marketing, and someone in visual merchandising. However, there are a fair few who aren't in graduate roles, and are instead working in retail etc. I think that possibly reflects close mindedness in terms of career thinking than anything else. If you want to work in archaeology, you may need to do a postgraduate degree, and initial pay isn't massively high. Otherwise, your degree is pretty transferrable - you aren't closing any doors by studying archaeology (unless you want to be a dentist or something).

Feel free to ask me any more questions you might have.

Reply 2

palaeolivic

15

Original post

by Jas 89

Hi, I want to study Archaeology and Anthropology at Oxford next year. I want to study the subject because I am highly interested in it. But I am unsure about what I would do after. What would my job and pay prospects be like? I would like to know what graduates of this course have gone on to do.

HI, I am just about to start my masters year in archaeology (I go to one of the two universities where integrated masters are taught). Post-degree wise my peers have gone into a range of roles inc. well, postgraduate studies, working in museums, government roles, teacher training or field archaeology - a lot have gone into field archaeology both excavation and post-excavation. Others are unsure at the moment but I would say that pay wise it's not brilliant and you definitely do not go into it for the money. Roles outside of field archaeology (a worthy career just not for me) do require post-graduate degrees.... however, there are also a lot of people who haven't gone into graduate roles or are not employed. Although, this is not a reflection on the degree completely.

The degree offers a lot of transferable skills but, like any degree, each university has different areas of expertise. You definitely, aren't ruining your life by studying arch and anth, but do think about what you may want to do.

Archaeology and Anthropology graduates

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated