Archaeology

Discover the richness and diverse history of human cultures. Archaeologists at Wits are actively involved in research and the teaching of a broad spectrum of topics.

Overview

Why study Archaeology?

Archaeology is a truly multidisciplinary and integrative discipline that embraces evidence from a wide array of fields from earth, biological and social sciences to history, anthropology, and ethnography, to explore the intricacies of our past. Through these studies we can better understand what makes us who we are today and how we have adapted to a changing planet.

Why study Archaeology at Wits?

The Wits Archaeology department was recently rated number 38 in the world, and 1st on the African continent in the QS World University rankings. Our department includes a diverse, research active and passionate faculty and post-graduate cohort working on southern African sites and collections spanning millions of years. Wits Archaeaology prides itself on the breadth of its honours experience which includes choices of specialist modules, a dedicated honours field school, inclusion in archaeological research teams and access to world class archaeological resources like the department collections and the Rock Art Research Centre.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities available with your honours degree in Archaeology include:

  • Cultural Resource Management (after formal accreditation by ASAPA)
  • Heritage Management (including museum sciences, heritage legislation and policy management)
  • Municipal and governmental consultants on heritage practice
  • Research and lecturing in archaeology departments

Curriculum

Compulsory course – Full year
ARCL4025A
Research Project: Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies
Full-year
Elective courses Q1 choose ONE of the below courses:
ARCL4027A
Theory of Archaeology
1
Elective courses Q2 choose ONE of the below courses:
ARCL4028A
Classification
2
ARCL4020A
Geoarchaeology
2
Elective course Q3 choose ONE of the below courses:
ARCL4016A
Archaeology in the Field / Laboratory
3
Elective courses Q4: choose ONE of the below courses:
ARCL4023A
Rock Art Management
4
ARCL4019A
Archaeology of Food
4
 

Entry Requirements

Honours:

  • A bachelors degree or equivalent with 65% course mark aggregate in a third year major.
  • At least an upper second class pass in the final undergraduate course in the subject.

An undergraduate BA or BSc degree in Archaeology from a recognised university. 

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. 

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.