Archaeology unlocks the mysteries of humanity’s past. Archaeologists discover and excavate archaeological sites and interpret the material recovered from them.

Our well-regarded degree is specifically designed to prepare you for a successful career in archaeology, either as a researcher or heritage consultant.

You will be trained in methods of archaeological investigation and develop both skills, experience and knowledge of fieldwork, museums and heritage and community engagement. Unique to Australia, this degree takes a global outlook on the practice of archaeology and the production of knowledge about past societies.

Throughout the ANU Bachelor of Archaeological Practice you will have exciting opportunities to participate in local or international fieldwork experiences.

Are you a leader? The Australian National University is a leader too, especially in the fields of philosophy, politics and economics. This progressive and well regarded degree will arm you with the moral, economic and political perspectives you need to make a real impact.

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics has a strong international component that gives you the opportunity to engage with other leading Universities around the world.

You will develop exceptional problem solving skills and critical and conceptual thinking, all while gaining a passport to some of the world’s most promising careers.

Employment Opportunities

The technical and analytical skills learned through this program provide highly practical knowledge, skills and training in the methods of archaeological investigation. Graduates may find work in Commonwealth heritage agencies, national parks, mining companies, as independent consultants, advisors to Aboriginal Land councils and many other fields.

The technical and analytical skills learned through this program provide highly practical knowledge, skills and training in the methods of archaeological investigation. Graduates may find work in Commonwealth heritage agencies, national parks, mining companies, as independent consultants, advisors to Aboriginal Land councils and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Archaeological Practice, graduates will be able to:

1. Undertake archaeological fieldwork using different techniques and approaches to locate, map, record, collect and excavate archaeological materials by determining the conditions in which those techniques and approaches are optimal.
2. Critically analyse archaeological materials. This includes the examination of human remains, artefacts, archaeo-fauna and archaeo-flora, archaeological sediments and other materials.
3. Apply interpretative approaches and skills including archaeological theory and quantitative analysis.
4. Design research frameworks and practise their application.
5. Reconstruct archaeological sequences and culture histories, and environmental archaeology.
6. Identify aspects of archaeological interpretations of human evolution and culture change.

Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, graduates will be able to:

Identify the principal theoretical approaches to the study of PPE, and the relationships between them;

Identify main currents in the three disciplines of PPE and their theoretical bases;

Define, critically discuss and apply:

1. major philosophical theories and approaches to the evaluation of social institutions;

2. the methods of economics to the study of political institutions and processes;

3. the methods of economics to questions within political philosophy;

4. the assumptions, ‘tools’ and limitations of political economy;

5. the core arguments and principles of public choice and rational choice theory.

Describe and evaluate how the core arguments and principles of public choice and rational choice theory affect and influence political situations, institutions and complex political processes in liberal democracies;

Recognise and analyse the different actors, processes and stages involved in formulating public policies; and

Analyse practical dilemmas that arise in politics using the theories, approaches and methods of the three main disciplines of PPE.

Admission Requirements

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.

More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found HERE.

The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

Domestic applicant entry requirements

Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.

International applicant entry requirements

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

Adjustment Factors

The National Access Scheme 2014

ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.

Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.

Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.

How to apply

Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.

Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to http://www.uac.edu.au/eas/  for more information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Archaeological Practice flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:The Bachelor of Archaeological Practice flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

ARCH1111 Archaeology Uncovered

ARCH1112 From Origins to Civilizations

A maximum of 30 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ARCH2004 Australian Archaeology

ARCH2041 Introduction to Environmental Archaeology

ARCH2052 Archaeology in Film and Fiction

ARCH2060 International Archaeological Field School Extension

ARCH2061 Archaeological Field Methods

BIAN2015 Human Skeletal Analysis

HUMN2000 Introduction to Heritage and Museum Studies

HUMN2051 Introduction to Cultural Heritage Management

A maximum of 12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ARCH2055 Archaeological Fieldschool

ARCH2059 International Archaeological Field School

A minimum of 6 units must come from completion of courses from the following list:

ARCH3000 Research Design and Analysis in Archaeology

ARCH3023 Thinking through the past: archaeological theory from 1950

ARCH3025 World Rock Art

ARCH3026 History of Archaeology: Discovering the Past

ARCH3028 Archaeology of Death and Mortuary Practices

ARCH3029 Making-Taking-Using-Breaking: Material Culture Studies and Technology in Archaeology

ARCH3108 Animals, Plants and People

BIAN3010 Scientific Dating in Archaeology and Palaeoenvironmental Studies

48 units from completion of two of the following minors:

Advanced Forensic and Evolutionary Archaeology Minor

Advanced Global Archaeology Minor

Advanced Environmental Archaeology Minor

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 48 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

54 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

ECON2101 Microeconomics 2(P)

ECON3056 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 3: Classic Literature in PPE

PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction

PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking

PHIL2116 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 2

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics

POLS1008 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 1: Puzzles in Politics, Philosophy and Economics

POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science

A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list, which must also be counted towards completion of any other requirements for the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics:

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An introduction to Game Theory

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory

POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy

POLS2105 Political Leadership and Executive Government

POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia

POLS2114 Australian Political Institutions

POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences

POLS2126 Democracy: Its causes and consequences

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

POLS3029 Sharing Power: Federalism in Comparative Perspective

POLS3031 Comparative Judicial Politics

POLS3034 Comparative Political Parties and Party Systems

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

PHIL2020 Theories of Social Justice

PHIL2057 Philosophy of Science

PHIL2080 Logic

PHIL2113 Global Justice

PHIL2121 Philosophical Logic

PHIL3073 Advanced Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

CRIM2000 The Illicit Economy

ECHI1006 The Australian Economy: Past and Present

ECHI3008 History of Economic Thought(P)

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1

ECON2013 Behavioral Economics

ECON2014 Managerial Economics

ECON2026 Money and Banking

ECON2120 Law and Economics(P)

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An introduction to Game Theory

EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models

INDG3003 The Indigenous Economy

6 units from the completion of 2000- and 3000-level courses from the following subject areas and courses:

ANIP Australian National Internship

ECON Economics

PHIL Philosophy

POLS Political Science

ASIA2090 The Political Economy of Myanmar

Minors

Bachelor of Archaeological Practice Minors

Study Options

Honours

For information about honours, please Bachelor of Archaeological Practice (Honours)

For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours) and Bachelor of Economics (Honours)