The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's ancient universities. The university has a long and rich history, and has produced many notable alumni in a variety of fields, including science, literature, and politics. Today, the University of Edinburgh is a leading research-intensive university, with a global reputation for academic excellence and a strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world.

Year 1
Archaeology
In Year 1 you will study Archaeology 1A and Archaeology 1B.

These courses offer a broad introduction to our human past. They cover the period from the evolution of the first humans several million years ago to the emergence of farming and the development of civilisations in Europe Egypt and the Near East.

These courses also cover the key techniques that archaeologists use including:

methods of site discovery excavation and recording and analysing artefacts
more recent and innovative approaches to reconstruct the lifeways of past peoples including the scientific analysis of animal and human remain
Social Anthropology
You will study introductory courses in social anthropology.

Social Anthropology 1A: The Life Course introduces you to the practice of social anthropology and includes such themes as:

gender
personhood
work and making a living
the house
consumption and exchange
health
the body
Social Anthropology 1B: Anthropology Matters asks what anthropology has to say about some of the most important issues facing us today. The course examines how anthropology contributes to answering questions about how our contemporary societies work.

The issues explored will vary from year-to-year. Examples include:

climate change
hunger
wellbeing
body modification
human rights
Option courses and fieldwork
You will choose from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subjects.

Over the long vacation at the end of Year 1 you will undertake three weeks of fieldwork.

Year 2
Archaeology
You will study the archaeology of Scotland from the earliest evidence of human occupation at the end of the last ice age to the Roman incursion in the early 1st millennium AD.

Key themes include:

the world heritage sites in the 'heart' of Scotland (such as Neolithic Orkney)
human-environment interaction
the ways in which the environment shapes human behaviour
the lasting impact activities such as farming had on the Scottish landscape
A field trip to visit archaeological sites and visits to the Museum of Scotland are core components of this course.

You will also study Archaeology in Action. This develops your understanding of professional archaeological practice. It also explores exciting innovations in archaeological methods through real-world applications and hands-on practical exercises.

Social Anthropology
In Ethnography: Theory and Practice you will study the theory and practice of ethnographic fieldwork through:

practical group work involving participant observation
writing of field-notes
conducting interviews
Social Anthropology 2: Key Concepts introduces you to the major ideas that define social anthropology today and the historical development of anthropological thought.

Option courses and fieldwork
You will again choose from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subjects.

You may have opportunities normally in the vacations after Years 2 and 3 to complete archaeology fieldwork or other practical assignments in the UK or abroad. Such work is optional but can be assessed as part of your programme.

Year 3
Archaeology
You will:

Study Theoretical Archaeology. This explores the history of archaeology from its antiquarian beginnings in the 18th-19th centuries and its development as an academic discipline.
Consider the theories that archaeologists have used to understand and interpret the remains that they have found and examine how these ideas have changed over the past 150 years.
Study Archaeology in Practice. This focuses on the contemporary practice of archaeology in the UK as well as internationally providing an insight into the practical skills required of professional archaeologists.
Social Anthropology
You will choose at least two social anthropology courses from a range of courses on important anthropological themes including:

anthropological theory
kinship
ritual and religion
consumption exchange and technology
Option courses
You will select a further two courses from available option courses in archaeology and social anthropology.

Honours level courses in archaeology can focus on a time period or a geographic area for example:

Mesolithic and Neolithic Europe
the prehistoric Mediterranean
ancient Egypt
Alternatively courses can focus on a particular theme or approach such as:

archaeology of human remains
archaeological illustration
conflict archaeology
ritual and monumentality
scientific methods in bio-archaeology
Dissertation choice
If you choose at this stage to write your dissertation in social anthropology you will also have the opportunity to conduct your own research in the summer break between Year 3 and Year 4.

Your dissertation supervisor will help you to plan and develop your research project which can take place in the UK or overseas.

You will also take the course Imagining Anthropological Research in preparation for your fieldwork.

Year 4
In Year 4 you will:

Choose two archaeology courses and two social anthropology courses from a wide range of honours-level options.
Complete a dissertation. This can be written and supervised either in archaeology or in social anthropology or on a topic bridging these disciplines.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class research-intensive university that has been shaping the minds of students for over four centuries. Founded in 1583, it is one of Scotland's ancient universities and the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university is located in the beautiful and historic city of Edinburgh, which is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and lively atmosphere.

The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, including arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, medicine, business, and law. The university has a strong reputation for academic excellence, and its graduates are known for their high level of education and employability. The university is home to some of the world's most respected research centers and institutes, including the Edinburgh College of Art, the Royal Observatory, and the Human Communication Research Centre.

Throughout its history, the University of Edinburgh has produced many notable alumni, including economist Adam Smith, philosopher David Hume, and Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's most famous writers. The university has also produced seven Nobel Prize winners, including Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, and Peter Higgs, who proposed the Higgs boson particle.

The University of Edinburgh is also known for its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is home to several leading research centers and institutes that specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and sustainable energy. The university also has a strong emphasis on student engagement, and it encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs and societies, and volunteer work.

The University of Edinburgh is a diverse and inclusive community, with students and staff from all over the world. The university provides students with a supportive and challenging environment, where they can develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields. The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world, making it an excellent choice for students who are looking for a high-quality education and a great student experience.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it