This student handbook provides information to students for the 2024-25 academic session.
Provost’s Welcome to Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾
Dear students,Ìý
A warm welcome to those of you who are new and congratulations on making Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ your university of choice. To those of you returning, welcome back.  Ìý
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Your Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ education will take you deep into your chosen field and give you its broader context in our rich multidisciplinary academic culture. It will help you develop skills and networks to prepare you for your future.  Ìý
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We want you to learn how to think, not what to think, through Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøվ’s research-based approach to education. Our students are our partners and contributors, working alongside world-leading academic staff to pursue excellence, break boundaries and make an impact on global challenges.  Ìý
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I warmly encourage you to shape your journey at Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾. Take our university-wide surveys and work in partnership with academics to make your programme of study even better. ÌýEach programme also has opportunities for you to volunteer as an academic representative to work closely with your department to improve the student experience.
This is an exciting time to make your voice heard, with , the biggest development in Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøվ’s history, welcoming its second cohort of students and work continuing on implementing our 2022-2027 strategic plan for education. Preparations are also in train on marking Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøվ’s bicentennial in 2026, with our student partners involved in planning an inspiring programme of events to celebrate this landmark anniversary.
Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ is a community of great minds. You are a valuable member of that community. I hope you will take every opportunity to shape your time with us, so that your experience is the best possible.  Ìý
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Dr Michael Spence
Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ President and ProvostÌý
IoA Director's Welcome
Dear students,
Welcome to the Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Institute of Archaeology.
We are one of the UK's leading specialist institutions, and one of the largest centres for archaeology, cultural heritage and museum studies in the world. Founded in 1937, we actively pursue research at archaeological sites and collections, as well as with living communities globally.
More than 60 academic staff work at the IoA, teaching and conducting research including archaeological fieldwork, laboratory analyses and conservation, artefact studies, public archaeology and theoretical, synthetic, and analytical work. We aim to provide you with stimulating, research-led courses within flexible and wide-ranging degrees. Our graduates have an enviable record in securing employment in both public and private sectors.
The IoA is ideally located in the heart of Bloomsbury, near both the British Museum and British Library, in London’s cultural hub. ÌýWe inhabit a purpose-built building, completed in 1958, on picturesque, historic Gordon Square. We enjoy unrivalled resources for students and staff, especially our world-leading Archaeological Library, the Wolfson Laboratories, and our own major archaeological collections. We have a rich programme of high-profile international speakers, symposia, seminars, and other events every year.
We are also a partner of Archaeology South-East (ASE), the commercial archaeology division of the Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Institute of Archaeology. ASE works across south-east England, London and internationally to bring the world-class expertise of Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ to clients and communities in need of advice on heritage protection and archaeological research. Our partnership provides students with the opportunity to gain knowledge of the world of contract archaeology.
You are now a member of the IoA with its long tradition of excellence and inquiry. You are also a member of Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ and will be able to enjoy the benefits of studying in a diverse, highly-ranked university.
I invite you to take full advantage of the unique opportunities which lie before you.
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Professor Kevin MacDonald
Director,ÌýÂ鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Institute of Archaeology
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Detailed Table of Contents:
- 1 Welcome to Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾
- 2 Introduction to the department and parent faculty
2.1 Introduction to the department and its history
2.2 Explanation of the relationship between department and faculty
- 3 Departmental staff related to the programme
- 4 Key dates
4.1 Term dates, exam/assessment period, core activities
4.1.1 Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Term Dates: 2023-24 4.1.2 Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Examination Periods 2023-24
4.2 Department- and faculty-level events and key dates
4.3 How Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ and the department will communicate with students (Central and Local)
- 5 Hours of Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾
5.1 Hours of study (Central and Local)
5.3.2 Tier 4 students: Absence from teaching and learning activities
- 6 Our expectations of students
- 7 Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾'s Student Support Framework
- 8 Programme structure
8.1 The structure of the programme, duration, credits, qualification(s)
8.2 Projects, placements and study abroad
8.2.2 Information on placements
8.2.3 Information on study abroad options
8.2.4 Information about regulations concerning the year abroad (academic requirements if they exist)
8.2.5 Information on internships from Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Careers
- 9 Tutorials and Supervision
9.1 What Students Can Expect in Terms of Academic and Personal Tutoring
- 10 Advice on choosing module options and electives
10.1.2 Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Module Catalogue
10.1.3 Module Selection and Verification Deadlines
- 11 Changes to Registration Status
11.1 Information on How to Change, interrupt or Withdraw from a Programme
11.1.3 Interruption of studies
11.1.4 Withdrawing from a programme
11.1.5 Informing the Student Loans Company of changes to your student status
11.2 Key Contacts in the department for assistance with any of the above
- 12 Progression, Award and Classification
- 13 Information on assessment
13.1 How will students be assessed?
13.2 What are the marking criteria and learning outcomes?
13.3 What marking scale is in use on the programme?
13.5 Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Standard turnaround time for feedback
13.6.1 Examinations 13.6.2 Intercollegiate Exams
13.8 Information about penalties for late submissions
13.8.1 Late Submission Penalties
13.9 ÌýInformation about absence from assessment
13.9.1 Absence from Assessment
13.10 Information about word counts and penalties
13.11 Information about the consequences of failure
13.13 ÌýInformation about academic integrity and accepted referencing methods in the discipline
13.14 ÌýInformation about academic integrity (plagiarism) in the discipline
13.16 ÌýInformation about Marking, Second-Marking and Moderation (Central and Local)
13.17 ÌýInformation about the External Examiner process and how to access reports via Portico
- 14 Learning Resources & Key Facilities
14.1 Information on Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾-wide learning resources and key contacts for support
14.1.1 Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Library Services
14.1.2 Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Information Systems Division (ISD)
14.1.3 Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE)
14.1.4 Sustainable Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾
14.2.1 How to access Moodle and support contacts
14.3 Portico – what it is, why it is important and who to contact for support
- 15 Student Support and Wellbeing
15.1 Information regarding central wellbeing and support services
15.1.1 Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Student Support and Wellbeing
15.1.2 The Student Enquiries Centre
15.1.3 Student Advisers for First Year Undergraduates
15.1.4 Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing team
15.1.5 Student Psychological and Counselling Services
15.1.6 International Student Support Ìý
15.1.7 Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Abroad support
15.2 Information about registering with a doctor and out-of-hours support services
15.2.1 Registering with a Doctor
15.2.2 Counselling, support and information helpline
15.2.3 Crisis support - immediate and urgent help
15.3 Information on how students can access support/information related to Equity and Inclusion
15.4.1 Bullying, harrassment, sexual misconduct and/or domestic abuse
15.4.2 Support for students who have been affected by sexual violence and/or domestic abuse
- 16 Employability and Careers
16.1 Opportunities available, where and how to get advice, career planning tips
- 17 Student Representation
17.3 Information on Academic Representatives
17.4 Role of the Staff-Student Consultative Committee
17.6 Students’ Union Advice Service
- 18 Student Feedback
18.1 The importance of feedback and how Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ uses the results
18.3 Module Dialogue - what it is and why it is important
18.4 The ASER process and how student representatives are involved
- 19 Sport and Physical Activity
- 20 Volunteering Services
- 21 Data Protection
- 22 Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Health, Safety and Security information
22.2 Health and Safety information concerning the department
- 23 After Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾
23.1 Information on degree certificates and transcripts
23.2 Information about the HEAR
23.4 Information on Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Alumni activities and key contacts (Central and Local)