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.

The ANU JD is a distinctive program for graduates of non-law disciplines (or non-Australian law degrees). The program consists of compulsory and elective courses. Graduates complete all the academic courses required by Australian Legal Practitioners Admission Boards for admission to legal practice following completion of additional practical training. Students have access to dedicated JD courses and other courses offered as part of the LLM program. A small number of LLB electives can also be included in the program of study. The program can be studied either full or part-time with entry points in Semester 1 and Second semester.

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

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, including 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 ethical research frameworks and practise their application, including Indigenous community and stakeholder consultation and collaboration; and

5. reconstruct humanity’s evolutionary history, archaeological sequences, past human practices, culture histories, and palaeoenvironments.

Upon successful completion of the Juris Doctor, graduates will be able to:

1. apply an advanced body of legal knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice in law, and as a pathway for further legal learning
2. apply a body of legal knowledge that includes an extended understanding of recent developments in the discipline and professional legal practice
3. apply knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to law and its professional practice
4. exhibit cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice in law
5. exhibit cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of legal knowledge or practice
6. exhibit cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex legal ideas and concepts at an abstract level
7. exhibit communication and technical legal research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
8. exhibit technical and communication legal skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to legal professional practice
9. demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills with creativity and initiative to new situations in legal professional practice and/or further learning
10. demonstrate application of knowledge and skills with high level personal autonomy and accountability
11. demonstrate application of knowledge and skills to plan and execute a substantial research-based legal project, capstone experience and/or professionally focussed project.

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

• Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
  • completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
  • co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
  • previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
  • previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
  • ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further 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 requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 144 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

ARCH2007 Archaeological Laboratory Methods

ARCH2022 Study Tour: Cultural Landscapes and Environmental Change

ARCH2037 Post-Roman Archaeology of Britain: From Arthur to the Black Death 

ARCH2041 Introduction to Environmental Archaeology

ARCH2050 Archaeology of Southeast Asia

ARCH2052 Archaeology in Film and Fiction

ARCH2056 Britons and Romans: Archaeology of the Western Roman Empire 

ARCH2058 European Prehistory from Cultivation to the Celts

ARCH2060 International Archaeological Field School Extension

ARCH2061 Archaeological Field Methods

ASIA2203 Archaeology of China

ASIA2301 Human Migration and Expansion in the Rise of the Asia-Pacific

BIAN2015 Human Skeletal Analysis

BIAN2128 Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology

HUMN2051 Introduction to Cultural Heritage Management

INDG2001 Indigenous Cultural and Natural Resource Management

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

ARCH2055 Archaeological Fieldschools and Fieldwork Practice

ARCH2059 International Archaeological Field School

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

ARCH3023 Thinking Through the Past: Archaeological Theory from 1950

ARCH3026 History of Archaeology: Discovering the Past

ARCH3028 Archaeology of Death and Mortuary Practices

ARCH3030 Archaeology of Ritual and Religion

ARCH3108 Animal and Plant Domestication

ASIA3051 Study Tour: Archaeology in Asia

BIAN3010 Scientific Dating in Archaeology and Palaeoenvironmental Studies

BIAN3113 Human Evolution

BIAN3125 Ancient Health and Disease

ENVS3029 Palaeo-Environmental Reconstruction

48 units from completion of the two following minors:

Advanced Environmental Archaeology

Archaeology of Aboriginal Australia in its Regional and Cultural Context

24 units from completion of courses from the following list:

LAWS6101 Foundations of Australian Law

LAWS6102 Lawyers, Justice and Ethics

LAWS6103 Torts

LAWS6105 Australian Public Law

24 units from completion of elective courses from ANU

Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.

If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96^th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.

Students must complete the Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 5.0 in order to commence the Master degree.

The Juris Doctor requires the completion of 144 units, of which:

144 units must come from completion of courses from the subject area LAWS Law

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 2000-, 3000- and 4000-level courses

24 units of specified credit from graduate courses completed in the Bachelor degree

24 units of unspecified credit

66 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

LAWS6104 Contracts

LAWS6106 Criminal Law and Procedure

LAWS6201 Administrative Law

LAWS6202 Commonwealth Constitutional Law

LAWS6203 Corporations Law

LAWS6204 Property

LAWS6205 Equity and Trusts

LAWS6207 Evidence

LAWS6244 Litigation and Dispute Management

LAWS6249 Legal Theory

LAWS6250 International Law

AND

A minimum of 6 units from completion of one capstone course from the following list:

LAWS6010 Jessup Moot

LAWS6230 Law Internship

LAWS6240 Special Law Elective 4: International Social Justice Clinic

LAWS6267 Clinical Youth Law Program

LAWS6268 Community Law Clinical Program

LAWS6278 Indigenous Community Legal Clinic

LAWS6281 Environmental Law Clinical Program

LAWS6284 Public Interest Law Clinical Program

LAWS6301 Myanmar Clinical Program

LAWS6302 International Law Clinical Program

LAWS6304 Prison Legal Literacy Clinic 

LAWS6307 Legal Education for True Justice: Indigenous Perspectives and Deep Listening on Country

LAWS6700 Law Capstone Project

LAWS6310 Australian National Law Internships Program B (Graduate)

LAWS6311 Australian National Law Internships Program A (Graduate)

LAWS6313 Kimberley Aboriginal Justice Clinic

LAWS8301 Graduate Research Unit

LAWS8458 International Organisations (Geneva)

AND

A minimum of 18 units from completion of 8000-level courses in the following subject areas:

LAWS Law

LEGM Legal Practice MLP

Minors

Bachelor of Archaeological Practice Minors

Specialisations

Juris Doctor Specialisations