Bachelor of Archaeology Programmes at UCT

The following degrees are available for the field of Archaeology. Please consult the webpage and the faculty handbooks available on the website for more detailed descriptions, admission requirements and fee information.

Archaeology is offered as a full major in both the science and humanities faculties.  This allows it to be incorporated into a curriculum with a wide range of subjects, depending on the interests of the student. 

Three Year Undergraduate Degrees
Bachelor of Science in Archaeology

Postgraduate Degrees
Bachelor of Science /Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in Archaeology
Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in Archaeology and Environmental Science

  • PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

    Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists (ASAPA) KEY RESOURCE
    ASAPA is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that exists for the purpose of establishing, maintain and promoting archaeology in Southern Africa. They provide valuable information regarding careers in archaeology, relevant resources and links and industry news.

    Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIFA) 
    CIFA is the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in the UK and overseas. They host an annual conference and training event and also provide information on industry news, careers, training, jobs, professional development, publications and relevant links.

    European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) 
    The EAA is the association for all professional archaeologists of Europe. The website provides information regarding prizes, awards, conferences, events, publications, resources and jobs in Europe.

    Egyptian Society of South Africa (TESSA) 
    TESSA is dedicated to the study of ancient Egypt and offers monthly public lectures, a quarterly journal, news and information on Egypt and archaeology.

    PanAfrican Archaeological Association (PAA)
    The PAA aims to unite archaeologists from all African countries and further the interests of archaeology across Africa. The website provides information regarding resources, congresses and events.

    Royal Society of South Africa (RSSaf) 
    RSSaf recognises research excellence, organises scientific conferences, expeditions, workshops and seminars, fosters science education, publishes an accredited international journal and promotes public awareness of all aspects of science and technology.

    South African Archaeological Society (ArchSoc) KEY RESOURCE
    ArchSoc is a non-profit organisation, which promotes archaeological research in Southern Africa and makes the results available to its members and the public through lectures, outings, tours and publications. It provides information on grants, awards, industry news, publications and resources.

  • SECTOR INSIGHTS

    Archaeology KEY RESOURCE
    Archaeology is a publication of the AIA for the last 65 years and provides up-to-date news and valuable insights regarding the field of archaeology world-wide.

    Council for British Archaeology
    The Council for British Archaeology is an educational charity working throughout the UK to involve people in archaeology and to promote the appreciation and care of the historic environment for the benefit of present and future generations. Its website offers various updates and sector insights.

    Science Daily
    Science Daily is a popular science news web site, which offers breaking news about the latest scientific discoveries.

    Science in Africa
    Science in Africa is Africa’s first online science magazine. This online magazine provides up-to-date news and valuable insight on the field of science in Africa.

  • PREPARING FOR THE JOB MARKET

    Graduate Vacancies KEY RESOURCE

    • Access graduate jobs and internships in the vacancy section of our site. Be sure to set up job email alerts and check our website regularly for news and events. 

    South African and International Jobs

    Archaeology jobs are usually found in research and academic institutions, as well as heritage sites and museums.

    ArchaeoJobs KEY RESOURCE
    ArchaeoJobs is a comprehensive international job website for archaeologists and archaeology students. It provides valuable links to resources, information and other sites that advertise job and volunteer opportunities. It also provides comprehensive information regarding the archaeology-related professionally bodies and aspirations in each country.

    Archaeological Institute of America (AIA)
    AIA is North America’s oldest and largest organization devoted to the world of archaeology. Its website provides valuable information regarding careers in archaeology in the US and internationally, grants, fellowships and awards and international fieldwork opportunities.

    Archaeology Fieldwork
    This is a US-based website for archaeologists and archaeology students seeking jobs, volunteer opportunities and field schools. Positions are available both in the US and internationally.

    DST-NRF Internship Programme 2016/17 
    The National Research Foundation (NRF) is responsible for the management of the DST-NRF Internship Programme in which unemployed Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) graduates and postgraduates (including those in Social Sciences and Humanities) are offered an opportunity to acquire practical work experience through mentoring and exposure to a research environment. Only South African university graduates with Bachelors, Honours, BTech, MTech or Master’s degrees may apply. Interns will receive a monthly salary ranging between R6 070 and R8 050 per month, depending on the level of qualification.

    Earthworks
    Earthworks is an international job website, with a section specialising in employment and volunteer opportunities for archaeologists and archaeology students.

    Nature Jobs
    Nature Jobs is a global career resource for scientists and an international science jobs board. 

    Seek Teachers
    Seek Teachers is a comprehensive international job website for the teaching field. Positions for teachers in the science field are advertised.

    Shovelbums
    This website provides valuable information regarding international jobs in archaeology, field schools and international volunteer opportunities.

    Country Specific International Career Service and Recruitment Agencies

    Europe

    Euro Science Jobs KEY RESOURCE
    Euro Science Jobs is an international job website for science graduates in Europe.

    UK and Ireland

    British Archaeological Jobs and Resources
    This website provides information regarding training, field schools and employment for archaeologists and archaeology students in the UK.

    Careers Group
    Careers Group is a UK career service and provides career guidance and international job vacancies.

    GradIreland KEY RESOURCE
    GradIreland is a careers publication company and works in partnership with tertiary education institutions across Ireland. They advertise jobs in Ireland and are a comprehensive career guidance website.

    Prospects KEY RESOURCE
    Prospects provides careers advice and job and course opportunities to students and graduates.

    Target Jobs KEY RESOURCE
    Target Jobs is a comprehensive career guidance and job website for the UK.


    USA and Canada

    Jobs.net
    Jobs.net is a US-based job website, advertising various positions.

  • INTERNATIONAL & LOCAL VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

    NGOs and NPOs are both involved in community-based initiatives but are structured differently. A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group which is organized on a local, national or international level. A non-profit organisation (NPO) is a trust, company or other association of persons established for a public purpose and of which its income and property are not distributable to its members or office bearers, except as reasonable compensation for services rendered. Registering as a NPO enhances credibility for government funding and every non-profit organisation (NPO) in South Africa is issued an NPO number.

    Please research carefully the volunteer organisation you decide to work with.

    African Legend
    African Legend, located in Cape Town, is a non-profit organization that provides educational programmes for youths living in poverty. Volunteer opportunities are available, with positions such as voluntary teachers and soccer and cricket coaches needed.

    International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)
    IVHQ is a volunteer travel company focused on providing affordable volunteer travel experiences. They provide volunteer abroad projects in over 30 destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America, South America and the Pacific in teaching, childcare, construction, conservation or healthcare.

    Find a Dig
    Find a Dig provides information for various archaeological digs throughout Europe and the Middle East that are looking for volunteers.

    My Hands and Heart KEY RESOURCE
    My Hands and Heart is a non-profit organisation in South Africa, which acts as a volunteer management network and advertises a range of local volunteer opportunities.

    National Youth Service Programme KEY RESOURCE
    The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is inviting unemployed science, engineering and technology graduates (18 to 35 years of age) to volunteer their services towards the implementation of the Youth into Science Strategy under the auspices of the National Youth Service Programme. Volunteers will be paid and placements commence in January annually.

    Past Horizons
    Past Horizons provides information regarding volunteer opportunities on archaeological projects abroad. 

  • POSTGRADUATE STUDY AND RESEARCH

    This information covers government funding initiatives, links to all higher education institutes in South Africa and some relevant education based websites in South Africa and the UK/USA.

    Africa/Global

    Masters

    Masters Studies
    International site, search by country, useful but not comprehensive.

    Masters Portal
    International site, search by country, useful and comprehensive.

    Find a Masters
    International site, search by country. Useful. Contains information regarding funding and postgraduate open days.

    PhDs

    PhD Studies
    International website, search by country, useful but not comprehensive.

    Find a PhD
    International website, search by country, institution and subject. Contains information regarding funding.

    PhD Portal
    International website, search by country, useful and comprehensive.

    UCT Doctoral Applicants Webpage KEY RESOURCE
    See for more details of PhD opportunities across the faculties and how to apply  

    Association of Commonwealth Universities KEY RESOURCE
    A site search for ‘vacancies’ provides links to sites for seeking job opportunities in Commonwealth universities, including all SADC countries except Angola and Congo.

    See additional resources on academic postgraduate opportunities. Particularly useful for Masters considering Doctorate study and PhD researcher/early career post docs.

    South Africa

    South African Department of Higher Education and Training KEY RESOURCE
    Go to institutions for a list of public universities then research courses via online prospectus.

    South African Department of Higher Education and Training KEY RESOURCE
    Use search function for “register of private higher education institutions” then research courses via online prospectus.

    National Research Foundation
    The NRF was established in 1998 from the amalgamated of the Centre for Science Development (CSD), the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Foundation for Research Development (FRD) and is a good website for staying up-to-date with research initiatives/centres, job and funding opportunities.

    Universities South Africa  (previously HESA)
    Universities South Africa, formerly known as Higher Education South Africa (HESA), is a membership organisation representing South Africa’s universities. Thier new name was launched on 22 July 2015 in order to reposition the organisation as a representative body of South Africa’s public universities, that aims to promote a more inclusive, responsive and equitable national system of higher education.

    SA Bursaries KEY RESOURCE
    A comprehensive website outlining various bursaries in South Africa across different disciplines.

    UK

    Postgraduate Information (Graduate Prospects)
    Good website for finding UK based Masters with useful “insight” articles but limited information on opportunities worldwide.

    USA/Canada

    These are websites which provide directories of graduate schools in the USA and Canada and information regarding programmes, funding, immigration and other resources.

    http://www.usastudyguide.com/how-to-choose-a-college.htm

    www.graduateguide.com

  • COMPETITIONS AND ENTREPREURSHIP

    Student Competitions  KEY RESOURCE
    This is an international and up-to-date website which allows you to search for competitions for university students.

  • DIVERSITY IN SCIENCE & EMPLOYMENT

    UCT is committed to the principles of diversity and transformation, specifically a transformed university where there are no stereotypical views of others based on their gender, race or disability.

    Women

    Trowel Blazers
    Trowel Blazers is a website that celebrates female archaeologists, palaeontologists and geologists. The website aims to inspire other women pursuing a career in this field.

    Diversity-Related Engineering Professional Bodies & Associations

    Association for Women in Science (AWIS)
    AWIS is an American-based large multi-disciplinary organization for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which is dedicated to driving excellence in STEM by achieving equity and full participation of women in all disciplines and across all employment sectors. They have a careers service on their website, resources, relevant industry news and links.

    Association of South African Women in Science & Engineering (SAWISE) KEY RESOURCE
    SAWISE supports the idea of strengthening the role of women in science and engineering in South Africa and offers scholarships, outreach initiatives, mentorship, relevant links and job listings. It is a useful resource for women in science and engineering.

    Black Management Forum (BMF)
    The BMF develops and empowers managerial leadership primarily amongst black people within organisations and the creation of managerial structures and processes which reflect the demographics and values of the wider society. They provide managerial and leadership development, research services, consulting, resources, news, links and host events.

    Business Women's Association (BWA) of South Africa
    The BWA is a non-profit and voluntary organisation which is also largest association of business and professional women in South Africa. They provide awards, events, news and networking opportunities.

    National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA)
    NCPPDSA is a national non-profit organisation that runs various projects, services and advocacy programmes for the advancement of persons with disabilities to attain integration into society and independence. The NCPPDSA acts as the national umbrella for nine provincial associations with their 90+ branches. 

    National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP)
    NOGLSTP is a US-based professional society that educates and advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The website provides information regarding networking, programmes, mentoring, scholarships, workshops, awards, various media resources and sector insights.

    Organization of Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)
    OWSD provides research training and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world at different stages of their career. This website provides valuable STEM information regarding PhD fellowships, workshops, mentorship and awards.

    Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM)
    OSTEM is a US-based national society dedicated to educating and fostering leadership for LGBTQA communities in the STEM fields and is primarily for students. OSTEM hosts LGBTQA-oriented events and provides mentoring and advice, workshops and information sessions, networking with professionals and professional recruiting.

    Society of Black Archaeologists (SBA)
    The SBA is an American-based society which promotes academic excellence and social responsibility by creating a space for Black archaeologists and other scholars. Their website provides information on industry news, projects, field schools, volunteer and job opportunities, conferences, meetings and events.

    Women in Science, Technology and Engineering (WISE)
    The Women in Science, Technology and Engineering (WISE) is an international organisation which inspires girls and women to study and build careers STEM. This organisation provides training, recruitment resources, funding information, and advertises engineering-related job vacancies.

    Diversity-Related Services, Awards and Scholarships

    • UCT
      UCT provides various services and resources related to diversity and transformation. See the links below.

    UCT Disability Centre
    The UCT Disability Service works towards the removal of any physical, policy, information and attitude barriers that might prevent students and staff from fulfilling their potential. The centre provides information regarding different forms of support, resources, bursaries, funding opportunities, advocacy, counselling, academic and examination accommodations, technical assistance and other services.

    UCT Funding Boards
    Please check the postgraduate funding boards and undergraduate funding boards (http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/funding/undergraduate/financial/) currently on the UCT website for up-to-date details on other diversity-related scholarships, fellowships and bursaries.

    UCT- Harvard Mandela Fellowships
    This fellowship is intended to strengthen connections between the W.E.B. Du Bois Research Institute (at the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, Harvard University) and UCT, to provide opportunities for UCT staff to gain international experience, and to support the professional advancement of academics working particularly, but not only, in the humanities and social sciences. To be eligible, applicants must have been awarded the PhD degree at the time of application, and have permanent or T3 academic posts at UCT. In line with UCT’s equity objectives, preference will be given to applicants from the designated groups, with particular emphasis on black South African applicants.

    Disability Bursaries
    This website provides a comprehensive list for individuals with disabilities in South Africa.

    List of Scholarships for African Women and Developing Countries
    AfterschoolAfrica provides an up-to-date and comprehensive list of scholarships (undergraduate, Masters, MBA, PhD and Postdoctoral) that are open for women from African and developing countries.

    Margret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMF)
    The MMF awards education grants to women from developing countries to help further their education and strengthen their leadership skills.

    Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Programme (MMUF) 
    MMUF is an equity-inspired program that is awarded to highly performing Black students who are entering the final year of a three-year first degree or the third year of a four-year professional degree from the sciences and humanities at UCT and other participating undergraduate institutions. The program offers financial support, organized mentoring and is designed specifically to provide students with a greater awareness of what it means to be an academic. 

    Mwalimu Nyerere African Union (AU) Scholarship Scheme
    The AU scholarship is only for applicants with physical disabilities for masters in social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, education sciences and sports sciences and closes in March annually.

    National Research Foundation (NRF)
    The NRF provides various postgraduate funding bursaries and scholarships. Preference is given to equity candidates.

    Opportunities for Africans (OFA) KEY RESOURCE
    The OFA is an online information platform that seeks to connect Africans to opportunities, such as scholarships, internships, fellowships, bursaries, conferences, jobs, competitions and volunteering positions. This is a comprehensive and up-to-date website.

    Scholarships for Women
    This website provides comprehensive information regarding scholarships, awards and funding opportunities for women.

    The description regarding UCT’s policy towards diversity in engineering and employment is sourced from the UCT Disability Service Page (https://www.uct.ac.za/main/explore-uct/transformation) and the Transformation at UCT Page.