Archaeology : Career areas

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, just over 42% of archaeology graduates were in employment either in the UK or overseas. Of these, almost 30% work in catering and retail and just over 10% work in clerical and secretarial positions. Almost 9% work in other professional or technical occupations while 8% work as commercial, industrial and public sector managers.

Archaeology graduates also work in areas such as marketing, sales and advertising, education, and information technology. Employers value the range of skills they possess meaning archaeology graduates can work in a variety of areas.

Where are the jobs?

Employers of archaeologists include archaeological contractors, local government, university archaeology departments, national heritage agencies and independent archaeological consultants. Other organisations employing archaeology graduates include some private museums and charities such as the National Trust, the National Trust for Scotland and the Council for British Archaeology (CBA).

Jobs can be found at British Archaeological Jobs and Resources (BAJR) and the Institute for Archaeologists (IfA) .

Rescue archaeology in advance of building work for utilities companies and environmental agencies has become a growth area.

For a more detailed overview of the sectors available see:

• Government and public administration - covers opportunities in local government including archivist and historic buildings inspector.
• Creative arts - covers a wide range of activities from museum and art gallery curating to music and drama.

See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.

Statistics are collected every year by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, with the data being collected within just six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do?  and your degree...what next?