Best universities for Archaeology (2026)

25 UK universities teaching Archaeology as a full-time degree, ranked on graduate pay, jobs, student satisfaction, students staying on and entry points.

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#	University	Score	Salary 5 yrs on	Working or studying	Satisfied	Typical UCAS
1	UCL Camden, London · TEF Silver	65	£39k	87%	94%	120
2	University of Manchester Manchester, North West · TEF Silver	63	£31k	100%	89%	152
3	University of Leicester Leicester, East Midlands · TEF Gold	62	£29k	95%	93%	128
4	Queen's University Belfast Northern Ireland	61	—	95%	91%	120
5	University of Exeter Exeter, South West · TEF Gold	59	£26.5k	90%	91%	136
6	University of Durham County Durham, North East · TEF Silver	56	£29k	80%	91%	152
7	University of Nottingham Nottingham, East Midlands · TEF Silver	55	£34.5k	75%	87%	120
8	Swansea University Swansea, Wales	55	£26.5k	90%	96%	104
9	University of Liverpool Liverpool, North West · TEF Gold	54	£28.5k	85%	87%	120
10	University of York York, Yorkshire and The Humber · TEF Gold	53	£24.5k	89%	85%	136
11	University of Glasgow Scotland	52	£29.5k	80%	88%	152
12	University of Kent (Part of London and South East University Group) Canterbury, South East · TEF Silver	49	£30k	87%	73%	120
13	University of Reading Wokingham, South East · TEF Silver	49	£27.5k	85%	88%	104
14	University of Newcastle Upon Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne, North East · TEF Silver	48	£28.5k	70%	88%	128
15	University of Southampton Southampton, South East · TEF Silver	48	£26k	90%	79%	120
16	University of Central Lancashire Preston, North West · TEF Silver	48	£23.5k	90%	96%	88
17	Cardiff University Cardiff, Wales	47	£29.5k	75%	77%	128
18	Canterbury Christ Church University Canterbury, South East · TEF Silver	47	£26k	80%	96%	88
19	University of Chester Cheshire West and Chester, North West · TEF Silver	46	£24.5k	90%	83%	104
20	Birkbeck, University of London Camden, London · TEF Bronze	45	£27.5k	95%	90%	88
21	University of Edinburgh Scotland	43	£23k	81%	82%	184
22	University of the Highlands and Islands Scotland	41	£22k	95%	93%	136
23	University of Winchester Winchester, South East · TEF Silver	37	£25k	70%	81%	88
24	Bournemouth University Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, South West · TEF Silver	37	£23.5k	80%	72%	88
25	University of Wales: Trinity Saint David Swansea, Wales	36	£22k	85%	79%	88

How the score works: universities are compared within each subject on salary five years after graduating (27%), the share in work or further study (18%), student satisfaction (18%), students staying on (13.5%), typical UCAS points (13.5%, compared within each nation) and the TEF rating (10%, England). 50 is typical. Figures: Discover Uni (Office for Students, HESA), National Student Survey, Graduate Outcomes, HMRC LEO earnings; full-time first degrees.

Questions

What is the best university for Archaeology?

On our measures UCL ranks first for Archaeology, followed by University of Manchester, University of Leicester, Queen's University Belfast. Rankings depend on what matters to you, so compare pay, jobs and satisfaction.

Which university's Archaeology graduates earn the most?

UCL: typical earnings of £39k five years after graduating (HMRC tax records).