Careers Portal

Your degree in Archaeology and Anthropology at Oxford has empowered you with a unique set of knowledge and skills that is essential for a successful career in today's globalised world. The Royal Anthropological Institute has some very helpful advice on how to sell yourself to future employers, especially to those who might not be fully aware of what it is an archaeologist or anthropologist actually does.

The Arts and Heritage sector has a huge range of roles, some artistic (designers, performers, artists, writers) and many more using organisational leadership and operational skills (sometimes known as 'arts management/administration'). In addition, there are teaching or training roles ('arts education'), jobs using research or academic skills ('curatorial/specialist' roles), and those requiring technical skills (from art conservation to surveying or designing computer games). It is important to note that employers in arts and heritage often rely on you to find them, and do not tend to have big graduate recruitment campaigns. Regularly check organisation websites, such as sector-specific job sites and government bodies such as: Arts Jobs, Arts Professional, BAJR, CADW, Heritage Update  Heritage Daily, Historic England, Historic Scotland, Museum Jobs, National Trust, etc.

One of the key strengths of your archaeology degree is the inter-disciplinary nature of the skillset you acquire studying this subject so check sites for related fields such as: geography jobs, careers in forensic science, careers in chemistry, geology and earthscience. Did your research lean towards Archaeobotany? Then keep an eye on Earthworks for opportunities in plant science, horticulture and botany. Furthermore, keep an eye on our own School websites and other relevant departments and bodies within Oxford, for example the Bodleian which regularly offers Graduate Training Programmes for posts such as archivists. See also the job pages of the National Archives.

Remember you should not just consider the big names, there are hundreds of smaller organisations working regionally which can present less competition - research organisations (museums, galleries, archaeological units, small start-up IT firms) in your local area.

Many archaeology and anthropology students begin their career in a different sector and move across having gained relevant skills (e.g. accounting, marketing or teaching). Consider organisations and businesses which provide services and support to the Arts and Heritage world: art investment, specialist legal and insurance firms, publishing firms, travel companies, PR firms, specialist IT companies, marketing companies, training companies, public sector bodies and charities.

The University of Oxford Careers Service provides free information and impartial advice on any careers-related topic - from choosing a course of further study to making job applications, and from deciding what career would suit you to finding opportunities to develop your skills. As a student (or alumni) at Oxford you can access Career Connect (the password-protected area of their website using your Single Sign-on password). There you can book appointments with their advisers, download Wetfeet guides, search their extensive database of job vacancies and internships, and, browse their calendar of upcoming careers events. With nearly a third of Oxford's leavers continuing into further study, the Careers Service's website also includes guidance specifically focused on issues to consider when looking at these options.

The TSS is the Oxford Univeristy Temporary Staffing Service. The TSS is an internal recruitment service providing temporary administrative support to the University of Oxford's departments, colleges, museums and collections. This can be a great first step into museum work.  Information on applying to the TSS can be found here. 

• Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities Bulletin  
• Archaeology Abroad
• Archaeology Skills Passport  
• BAJR career guide (.pdf) for archaeologists
• BABAO - British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology - student member discount
• Chartered Institute for Archaeologists - CIfA is the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in the UK and overseas.
• Council for British Archaeology
• CSCS Card for the Archaeologist (BAJR .pdf guide) - Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) Cards are essential for archaeologists who work on development sites. Apply for the White/Grey CSCS card (Construction Related Occupation) and you must pass the Operative CSCS Health and Safety Test.
• Current Archaeology  
• Discover Anthropology (career paths)
• European Association of Archaeologists
• Past Horizons  

As both Oxford and our university have such a rich cultural life, there are many varied opportunities to build experience, including exclusive opportunities for our students. For example:

• As a student at Oxford you can apply to one of five internship programmes which provide research and professional work experience placements exclusively to Oxford students, with adjunct funding and support. Log into your Careers Connect account for further details.
• Apply to the internships at the Ashmolean Museum (offered exclusively to students taking BA Arch & Anth)
• Write an article (short, researched) for Trusted Source on the National Trust's website - exclusive to Oxford University students!
• Join a community project. Start by exploring www.oxonarts.info   
• Perform or direct student theatre or music events - see https://www.ouds.org/
• Interested in working in museums or galleries? Sign up for volunteering at www.museums.ox.ac.uk  
• Get involved with Oxford Preservation Trust  projects locally.
• Become a non-accredited member (student/affiliate) of the CIfA – Chartered Institute for Archaeologists  
• Volunteer or apply to be an intern at the Royal Anthropological Institute

At Oxford students cultivate a skills toolkit that gives them distinct advantages in stepping confident into today’s globalised and fast-moving job market. This toolkit contains all of the skills and behaviours you would expect a graduate to possess and list on their CV. For example, careful record- keeping, attention to detail, the ability to read critically and analyse large data sets, and clear thinking. So, what makes an Oxford graduate, and in particular a graduate of BA Archaeology and Anthropology, stand out from the pack?

• Having been accepted to Oxford you have already experienced and engaged in a rigorously demanding application process which included writing personal statements, submitting written work, interviews, object tests and critiquing unfamiliar texts in front of a panel of experts and perhaps for more than one college. The experience of getting here will empower and embolden you in your next endeavours.
• Beyond the usual undergraduate regime of lectures, tutorials and exams, our students also learn to interact, socialise and thrive within a diverse range of social and work situations ranging from structured college dinners to camping in all weathers for fieldwork that could take place anywhere in the world. Students who partake in anthropological and/or archaeological fieldwork display social ease in unfamiliar situations and have the confidence to think on their feet and show accountability for their decisions.
• Our students gain valuable experience of working independently (in designing and conducting their own fieldwork and dissertation projects) and experience hands-on the challenges of working as part of a team during their fieldwork projects.
• College life, weekly tutorials and essay deadlines ensure our students develop a keen work ethic and quickly learn how to prioritise their work load whilst balancing it with a dynamic social life.
• Oxford’s justly famous tutorial system nurtures critical thinking and strong skills in oral and written expression.
• We encourage our students to take advantage of several internship opportunities uniquely offered to students taking our degree. Students also often get involved with running the Oxford Archaeological Society and Oxford Anthropological Society - scheduling speakers, running publicity and managing budgets.
• Using a range of social, behavioural, biological, and other scientific research methods, our students learn to manage primary data gathered through participant observation, interviewing, analysis of material remains and ethnographic study.
• Arch & Anth students become keen observers who know the importance of collecting data, of listening and watching what others are doing, of considering the context, of applying various explanatory models, and of adopting a broad perspective for framing an understanding of human behaviour, past and present.

https://www.torch.ox.ac.uk/heritage

The vision for the TORCH Heritage Programme is to enable ambitious and mutually beneficial partnerships that connect Oxford’s world-leading expertise with the UK and international Heritage Sector. Led by the Heritage Partnerships Team, this vision is rooted in three core areas of activity: building partnerships, growing expertise and sharing knowledge.

Lists opportunities to engage with the UK and international Heritage Sector through the Heritage Pathway Researcher Training and Development Programme; Internships and Placements; and DPhil studentships. Also signposts to other opportunities in Oxford, including Oxford Cultural Leaders and the Said Business School's Engaging with the Humanities Programme.

Assist with funds and applications: The Heritage Seed Fund provides funding at various levels for exploratory projects from £250 through to £3000. We also signpost to related funding schemes within the University of Oxford, including the Knowledge Exchange Seed Fund; Humanities Cultural Programme; and other TORCH Funding Opportunities. Furthermore, we provide expert advice and support throughout the application process.

Shares outcomes of work as widely as possible, ensuring that these stories are accessible and relevant to a range of different audiences. We achieve this through academic events, including lectures, symposia and conferences; online resources (e.g. blog-posts, news articles, podcasts, and videos); and publications (peer-reviewed and open access).