Archaeology degrees receive CIfA accreditation

Undergraduate archaeology degrees at Cardiff are the latest to be formally accredited as providing skills relevant to a career in the historic environment.

Both BA and BSc Archaeology degrees are now accredited by The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK (UAUK).

CIfA is the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in the UK and overseas. The institute promotes high professional standards and strong ethics in archaeological practice, to maximise the benefits that archaeologists bring to society.

In practice, upon graduating from an accredited degree/pathway graduates meet the criteria for PCIfA (Practitioner) grade, one of three professionally accredited member grades assessed on demonstrated technical competence and ethical suitability.

The accreditation follows the centenary of Archaeology at the University in 2020/2021.

Following the announcement, Professor in Bioarchaeology Jacqui Mulville and Head of Archaeology and Conservation at the School of History, Archaeology and Religion said:

‘Having recently celebrated our centenary, achieving cIFA and UAUK accreditation for our BA and BSc degrees confirms that our schemes provide students with key skills and training for a career within the historic environment.  At Cardiff, practical and professional skills are central to our research-led teaching and our students gain extensive placement experiences as well as classroom and lab-based teaching. This partnership with the leading UK professional body recognises that our graduates are equipped to engage with the future of the past.’   

Today, Cardiff University offers BA and BSc Archaeology at undergraduate level plus a range of postgraduate programmes, including MA Archaeology and MSc Archaeological Science and PhD opportunities.