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BA (Hons) History, Heritage and Archaeology Top-up - Level 6

Course Overview

This one-year BA (Hons) top-up course serves as an ideal progression opportunity for students who have completed the University of Plymouth Foundation degree (Level 5) in History, Heritage and Archaeology delivered at our Strode campus. Suitably qualified students with a background in history and/or heritage and/or archaeology are also eligible for a place on this programme. The programme is skills-based, with an emphasis on transferability and, therefore, provides foundations for students aspiring to develop their careers in heritage related work locally, nationally and internationally.

Modules may include:

  • Body and soul in peril: Medieval Europe c.1000-1435
  • Building Heritage
  • Archaeology and Landscapes
  • Legendary Britain
  • Dissertation.

The module leaders are highly experienced teachers with professional and academic expertise, and have strong contacts with employers in the heritage industry, providing careers’ advice and opportunities for work-based and work-related learning.  Formative advice is provided for all assessed assignments. Students are encouraged to maintain a personal development plan.

Teaching and learning are supported through:

  • Lectures, where small class sizes allow question, answer and discussion
  • Seminars
  • Practical exercises in class and set as homework
  • Fieldwork
  • Group tutorials
  • Personal and academic tutorials
  • Guided reading in class and during self-study time
  • Trips and visits to appropriate heritage locations
  • Guest speakers with expertise in one or more related fields.

Our Strode campus in Street is very well placed as a higher education provider for people seeking a vocation in the areas of history, heritage and archaeology. It is close to major tourist areas such as Somerset’s coastline and Exmoor, much visited historic cities including Bath, Bristol, Wells and Salisbury, and ancient monuments including World Heritage Sites Stonehenge and Avebury. Street and the neighbouring town of Glastonbury one mile away are themselves centres with an exceptionally rich heritage and a vibrant tourist industry; Glastonbury Town Council are currently in the process of bidding for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Additional costs may include:

  • Trips and visits (mostly local) and guest speakers may incur an additional cost, usually less than £10 per trip per students. It is highly recommended that all students attend all these activities
  • Independent study/research may incur fees, e.g. copying documents at the Somerset Archives
  • Extra curricula voluntary opportunities may incur an additional cost
  • Students may find it beneficial to have their own study device (e.g. laptop for study at home) but this is not essential as computing facilities are provided on campus.

Course Overview

Course Overview

This one-year BA (Hons) top-up course serves as an ideal progression opportunity for students who have completed the University of Plymouth Foundation degree (Level 5) in History, Heritage and Archaeology delivered at our Strode campus. Suitably qualified students with a background in history and/or heritage and/or archaeology are also eligible for a place on this programme. The programme is skills-based, with an emphasis on transferability and, therefore, provides foundations for students aspiring to develop their careers in heritage related work locally, nationally and internationally.

Modules may include:

  • Body and soul in peril: Medieval Europe c.1000-1435
  • Building Heritage
  • Archaeology and Landscapes
  • Legendary Britain
  • Dissertation.

The module leaders are highly experienced teachers with professional and academic expertise, and have strong contacts with employers in the heritage industry, providing careers’ advice and opportunities for work-based and work-related learning.  Formative advice is provided for all assessed assignments. Students are encouraged to maintain a personal development plan.

Teaching and learning are supported through:

  • Lectures, where small class sizes allow question, answer and discussion
  • Seminars
  • Practical exercises in class and set as homework
  • Fieldwork
  • Group tutorials
  • Personal and academic tutorials
  • Guided reading in class and during self-study time
  • Trips and visits to appropriate heritage locations
  • Guest speakers with expertise in one or more related fields.

Our Strode campus in Street is very well placed as a higher education provider for people seeking a vocation in the areas of history, heritage and archaeology. It is close to major tourist areas such as Somerset’s coastline and Exmoor, much visited historic cities including Bath, Bristol, Wells and Salisbury, and ancient monuments including World Heritage Sites Stonehenge and Avebury. Street and the neighbouring town of Glastonbury one mile away are themselves centres with an exceptionally rich heritage and a vibrant tourist industry; Glastonbury Town Council are currently in the process of bidding for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Additional costs may include:

  • Trips and visits (mostly local) and guest speakers may incur an additional cost, usually less than £10 per trip per students. It is highly recommended that all students attend all these activities
  • Independent study/research may incur fees, e.g. copying documents at the Somerset Archives
  • Extra curricula voluntary opportunities may incur an additional cost
  • Students may find it beneficial to have their own study device (e.g. laptop for study at home) but this is not essential as computing facilities are provided on campus.

Assessment

Assessment Methods

Assessment is primarily through a range of coursework, comprising traditional set essay assignments, small research reports and a single larger piece of independent research, supplemented with presentations on a range of set topics.

Entry Requirements and Progression

Progression

Students graduating from the BA (Hons) Degree may wish to undertake a research or taught MA degree. Potential taught MA qualifications available to them in the southwest area include taught Masters in History, Medieval Studies, Heritage Theory and Practice, Museum Studies, Heritage Management, Archaeology. Students could also undertake a Post Graduate Certificate in Education or another teaching qualification. Employment includes roles in education, archaeology and heritage management.

Entry Requirements

Typically, entrants will possess:

  • A Foundation Degree in History, Heritage and Archaeology or a related subject
  • Other prior learning and/or work experience will also be considered and discussed at interview.

Policies and Regulations

Taunton Open Event - October

8th October 2025