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La Trobe University

  • 24% international / 76% domestic

Bachelor of Archaeology

  • Bachelor

What does it mean to be human? As the only discipline that looks at the human journey as a whole, archaeologists play a unique role in understanding the past, and building our knowledge of who we are and how we got here.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
3 years full-time
Course Code
0100732
Study Mode
In person
Intake Months
Feb, Jul
Domestic Fees
$13,001 per year / $39,003 total
International Fees
$31,400 per year / $94,200 total

About this course

What does it mean to be human? As the only discipline that looks at the human journey as a whole, archaeologists play a unique role in understanding the past, and building our knowledge of who we are and how we got here.

If you're endlessly curious about the past, La Trobe's Bachelor of Archaeology is the perfect place to develop specialist skills and knowledge, and build a rewarding career as a professional archaeologist or heritage manager.

You'll learn from renowned researchers in La Trobe's world-class facilities and benefit from both a hands-on and academic perspective.

Exploring Australia's rich and varied Indigenous cultures, as well as peoples from other ancient and urban societies around the globe, you'll develop in-demand, specialist skills in contemporary archaeological practice.

For students interested in further study or a global career in archaeology, the Bachelor of Archaeology will give you strong field skills applicable anywhere in the world.

You'll learn:

  • Archaeological fieldwork methods
    • Build the practical skills and knowledge you need to work in professional archaeology in Australia and overseas.
  • Ethical heritage management
    • Learn how to collaborate and communicate respectfully with traditional owners and local communities.
  • Ancient societies and civilisations
    • Learn how the human species evolved and spread across the world - adapting to new environments, transforming landscapes and developing new technologies.
  • Scientific methods of archaeological practice
    • Explore a wide range of scientific techniques and methods, including geophysical survey, geographic information systems (GIS), archaeomagnetic dating, and ancient DNA.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 7 - Bachelor Degree.

Sample course structure

Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Archaeology, students must complete a total of 360 credit points across 3 years.

Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:

  • 60 credit points from chosen Core
  • 60 credit points from chosen Electives or major or minor

Year 2 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:

  • 75 credit points from chosen Core
  • 15 credit points from chosen Core choice
  • 30 credit points from chosen Electives or major or minor

Year 3 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:

  • 60 credit points from chosen Capstone
  • 30 credit points from chosen Core
  • 30 credit points from chosen Electives or major
Study options

Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.

Subject name Subject code Year Credit points ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE LTU0AIM 1 0 WOMINJEKA LA TROBE: INDIGENOUS CULTURAL LITERACY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ABS0WOM 1 0 ARCHAEOLOGY OF ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS ARC1CIV 1 15 INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY: FROM AUSTRALOPITHECUS TO THE ANTHROPOCENE ARC1WOR 1 15 MYTH, LEGEND AND HISTORY HIS1MLH 1 15 THE HUMAN JOURNEY ARC1THJ 1 15 ANTHROPOLOGY OF ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA ABS2001 2 15 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE: HOW CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND BIOLOGY INFORM THE PAST ARC2SCI 2 15 DIGGING ARCHAEOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION ARC2DIG 2 15 PALAEOLITHIC ARCHAEOLOGY ARC2PAA 2 15 PAST LANDSCAPES AND ENVIRONMENTS ARC2LAN 2 15 CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT ARC3MAN 3 15 FROM FORAGING TO FARMING ARC3FFF 3 15

A range of standalone elective subjects is available in this course. Some electives are recommended for your course, but you may also be able to choose from a range of University-wide electives or electives from other interest areas or disciplines. Note these electives may have their own prerequisites and other requirements. Please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook for the subjects available.

Core choice subjects are one or more subject groups you need to select in your course. Core choice subjects may be specific to your course, major, minor, specialisation or other learning requirements.

Subject name Subject code Year Credit points EXTERNAL PARTNER PROJECT HUS3EPP 2 15 IN YOUR BONES: THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF DEATH ARC3DDO 2 15 INDUSTRY PLACEMENT LTU3IND 2 15 INTERNATIONAL STUDY TOUR HUS2ISB 2 15 INTERNATIONAL STUDY TOUR C HUS3ISB 2 15 REMOTE SENSING AND GIS ENV2REM 2 15

Capstone subjects are required subjects in your course or major that help you integrate and apply the knowledge and skills you gain to solve real world problems. Capstone subjects are often taken towards the end of your course.

Subject name Subject code Year Credit points AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS ARCHAEOLOGY ARC3AIA 3 15 HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY IN AUSTRALIA ARC3HAA 3 15 OBJECTS, THINGS, & ARTEFACTS (A): MANAGING AND RECORDING ARC3MTA 3 15 OBJECTS, THINGS, & ARTEFACTS (B): ANALYSING AND UNDERSTANDING ARC3MTB 3 15
See La Trobe University Handbook for more details

The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.

  • Melbourne (Bundoora)

To view other campus handbook course details, please select relevant campus in the drop down.

Study locations

Melbourne

Career pathways

After graduation, you could work in specialist fields such as professional archaeology, cultural heritage management or research. The State of Victoria has robust laws protecting our heritage and, combined with continued government investment in infrastructure, there's very strong demand for archaeologists.[1]

Possible roles include:

  • Professional archaeologist
    • Study human activity from the past. Recover artefacts, analyse samples in the laboratory and advise on sites of historical importance.
  • Heritage manager
    • Identify and protect sites of cultural importance. Advise government and non-government organisations on the maintenance and protection of historically and culturally significant sites and buildings.[2]
  • Museum curator
    • Educate communities about the past while protecting and maintaining culturally significant collections.

[1] Job Outlook, 2021, Archaeologists

[2] Some additional study may be needed for registration in Victoria as a Heritage Advisor.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Humanities, Culture & Social Sciences courses at La Trobe University.
79.9%
Overall satisfaction
82.5%
Skill scale
75.5%
Teaching scale
51.9%
Employed full-time
$60k
Average salary