Archaeological specialist (degree)
- Level
- 7
- Typical duration
- 36 months (about 3 years)
- Max funding band
- £15,000
- Route
- Creative and design
Planning, undertaking and leading archaeological research and investigation.
About the role
This occupation is found in the Cultural Heritage, Historic Environment and Education sectors.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to plan, undertake and lead Archaeological Research and Investigation, which may comprise surveys, excavation, post-excavation analysis and scientific analysis of archaeological materials and data. Archaeological Specialists have specialised knowledge of one or more aspects of archaeological investigation and analysis. They are responsible for the processing, reporting and preparation for long-term deposition of archaeological data and materials.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with organisations of all sizes in the public, private and third sectors. Typically, they interact with colleagues, external stakeholders and members of the public. Archaeological Specialists work on site (outside, all weathers), in an office or in a laboratory, including operating technical equipment and carrying out physical tasks.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for leading and undertaking Archaeological Research and Investigation, with a high level of responsibility for the delivery and quality of their own work and that of others. They are responsible for providing a specialist resource to colleagues. The size of the employer will impact the team the Archaeological Specialist is responsible for, or interacts with, but typically they will train and supervise less skilled personnel, and be responsible for the delivery of programmes and projects of all sizes and complexities, as well as communicating the results of the work internally and externally.
How it compares
At 36 months (about 3 years), it is about average length for a degree-level apprenticeship (the average across all 172 Level 6+ standards is 39 months).
The funding band — the maximum an employer's levy can contribute to training costs — is £15,000, below the £21,500 average for degree-level standards. Apprentices never pay tuition either way.
Typical job titles
- Finds supervisor
- Project officer
- Finds officer
- Geophysics supervisor
- Materials scientist
- Artefact specialist
- Aerial investigation and mapping investigator
- Archaeological investigator
- Environment archaeologist
- Aerial investigation
- Mapping investigator
- Heritage scientist
Entry requirements
While any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, candidates will typically have GCSEs (or equivalent) at A*- C (9-4) including maths and English and science. A-levels or BTECs (or equivalent) are desirable. However it would also be suitable for an undergraduate or someone with relevant work experience in a relevant field.
Entry requirements are ultimately set by each employer — treat these as the baseline, not the bar.
What you come out with
- An MA or MSc degree in an Archaeology or Archaeological Science subject — Level 7 (non-integrated degree)
- Professional recognition: Chartered Institute for Archaeologists — Member
What you'll learn
The official standard defines 15 core duties, 9 knowledge areas, 9 skills, 7 behaviours. This is the actual assessed content of the apprenticeship — worth reading before an interview, because competency questions are usually written straight from these lists.
Core duties 15
- Plan, lead and conduct archaeological research and investigation programmes and tasks of all complexities and sizes, including creating Written Schemes of Investigation/ Research Designs for archaeological projects, and accessing and applying knowledge of primary and secondary data relevant to the project. Archaeological research and investigation may comprise surveys, excavation, post-excavation analysis and scientific analysis of archaeological materials and data, including electronic and spatial (such as GIS) data.
- Make independent and authoritative identifications of archaeological materials or data in a specialist area, by applying advanced knowledge and understanding.
- Provide specialist advice and resources to colleagues and external stakeholders, using specialist knowledge to address problems and plan tasks of all sizes and complexities.
- Apply current academic research, theoretical knowledge and research agendas to the relevant archaeological specialism, in order to solve problems, initiate change and develop archaeological research frameworks and agendas.
- Apply advanced practical skills and/or technical knowledge to a specialist archaeological area.
- Collect and record archaeological materials/ data, including electronic and spatial data, to high standards.
- Analyse archaeological materials/ data and synthesise and critically assess the results, evaluating their significance to sectoral knowledge.
- Process, store and prepare archaeological materials/ data for long-term deposition.
- Plan, produce, and supervise the production of, reports and publications to high standards.
- Communicate results of research and investigation to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Be responsible for quality assurance for archaeological investigation and research projects of all sizes and complexities.
- Be compliant, and where necessary responsible for, health and safety for archaeological research and investigation programmes, including where specialist knowledge is required.
- Supervise and train others in archaeological research and investigation.
- Maintain their own, and others, compliance with legislation and codes of practice relevant to the archaeological specialism.
- Contribute to and initiate advances in Historic Environment body of knowledge and practice, including participation in specialist networks and peer groups.
Knowledge 9
- How to recognise and understand archaeological site types, periods, artefacts and ecofacts and site formation processes.
- Methods of archaeological investigation, how and why archaeological materials/ data are recovered
- Relevant primary and secondary data and sources relating to Archaeology
- Understanding of how established techniques and methodologies can be practically employed in the research area of their specialism, and how they are used to create and interpret knowledge.
- Critical awareness of current academic research within the specialism, and regional, national and international research agendas
- Requirements of formal publication, including standards for writing, editing and style
- Fundamentals of relevant Health and Safety legislation and their employer’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedures and operational procedures.
- Legal requirements, professional standards, relevant procedures and guidelines relevant to archaeological investigation and the processing, publication and storage of data and materials
- Roles of clients, stakeholders and project team members within an archaeological investigation and how to ensure effective relationships and communications between them
Skills 9
- Research, access and apply relevant primary and secondary data relating to Archaeology
- Contextualise and synthesise data and results within relevant frameworks.
- Maintain and develop reference materials and databases, categorising and classifying data, including electronic data, appropriately.
- Select, secure, check and calibrate suitable equipment and reference resources
- Evaluate the relevance of research methodologies, techniques and background information to the investigation in question
- Work effectively both independently and within a team
- Work accurately and efficiently to conduct work to high standards within defined project objectives
- Communicate clearly and effectively through written documentation
- Ability to employ supervisory techniques effectively
Behaviours 7
- Be receptive to feedback, commit to quality and continuous professional development, including independent learning.
- Know the limits of their own understanding, abilities and responsibilities, how to practice within them, and when and how to seek expert assistance
- Be capable of conceptual thought, independent decision-making and professional judgement in order to solve problems and plan and complete complex tasks
- Work effectively individually and as part of a team including professional collaboration and cross-disciplinary dialogue
- Be approachable and able to communicate with all levels of their own and other organisations, as well as the general public
- Apply an awareness of professional judgement and ethical behaviour. Be sensitive to and aware of the cultural, historic and spiritual context of objects and structures
- Take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work
Live vacancies
No live vacancies for this course as of 2026-07-24 — new adverts appear on Find an apprenticeship daily, and many degree apprenticeship employers recruit on their own careers sites instead.
Universities registered to deliver it
1 universities are on the government provider register for this standard. Registration means they can deliver it — live vacancies depend on employer partnerships each recruitment cycle.
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Official sources
- Official standard page (Skills England)
- Registered training providers (Find apprenticeship training)
Occupational summary, duties, knowledge, skills and behaviours reproduced from the ST0769 apprenticeship standard (last updated 2021-03-25) — contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Always check the official page before applying: standards get revised.