Honours in Archaeology

Structure
The BA and BSc (Hons) Archaeology degree consist of four courses and an independent research essay of between 10 000 and 12 000 words.

Courses offered 
Students are expected to pass four courses and an independent research essay:

There are two compulsory courses:

ARCL4010 Theories of Archaeology 
ARCL4013 Field Training School (includes a GIS component)

Two further courses may be selected from the following:

ARCL4003 Rock Art
ARCL4009 Stone Age Archaeology 
ARCL4012 Contemporary Problems in Archaeology (Historical Archaeology)

The independent research essay 
At honours level, there is a strong emphasis on developing research skills. One of the requirements for the completion of the honours degree is an independent research essay of between 10 000 and 12 000 words.

• The student is supported and mentored through the research process by a supervisor selected from the teaching staff in Archaeology.
• Each supervisor takes on between two and three students per year and it is advisable to contact your preferrred supervisor as soon as possible.
• Students present a research proposal at a seminar at the beginning of April to the department.
• Students present a second seminar on their research findings in September.
• The final research essay is submitted at the end of October to the supervisor.

Entry requirements 
The requirements for entry to the programme are as follows:

An undergraduate BA or BSc degree in Archaeology from a recognised university.
A minimum mark of 65% in Archaeology.
If applying from a university other than the University of the Witwatersrand, the minimum entry mark may be higher and we may request a written piece of work . This work should be authored solely by the applicant and written in English.

Length of degree 
The BA and Bsc (Hons) degree full time extends for one academic year. Part time studies extend over two academic years. 

Applying for BA or BSc (Hons) Archaeology

• Applications can be submitted at any time of the year to the Faculty of Humanities or Faculty of Science but should be received before the end of October for admission to the following year. Note that applications for the Wits Merit Award (which pays tuition) should be submitted before the end of August to the Student Financial Aid Office.
• Note that general information pertaining to the admission system, applications from foreign universities, international students, financial aid and scholarships, fees, accommodation can be found on pages 11 and 12 of the application form (see also useful contacts below). Please do not request information pertaining to these matters from the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies.

The Faculties will forward your application to the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies. We will contact you if we need you to submit a sample of written work (please make sure that you write your e-mail address clearly on the application form). Evaluation and Assessment 
The BA and BSc (Hons) Archaeology is made up of 5 modules (4 courses and a research essay). In the Faculty of Humanities [BA(Hons)], each course and the research essay are treated as separate modules. You need to pass all courses and the research essay (5 modules) to be granted an Honours degree. In Faculty of Science, all five modules can be registered for under the general course code ARCL 4000.

USEFUL CONTACTS