If you’ve seen the Indiana Jones movies, you probably have a pretty good idea of what archaeologists do, except for the running from boulders part.
Archaeology is the study of past human life on Earth. It involves finding, excavating, and analyzing the remains of people and societies from the past to learn more about how they lived. This work takes place both in the field and in high-tech laboratories.
As an archaeology student, you’ll learn about techniques such as geophysical surveying, statistical sampling, and radiocarbon dating. If you want to make a career out of studying the remains of long-lost civilizations, here are seven of the best schools in the world to set you on your way.
Top Archeology Schools in the World
1. University of Cambridge
Despite being one of the world’s oldest universities, the Department of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge remains a leading school for archaeology and is ranked No. 1 worldwide for Archaeology in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject. Its teaching and research cover archaeology, Assyriology, biological anthropology, and Egyptology, with facilities that support work in areas such as bioarchaeology, archaeogenetics, zooarchaeology, isotopic analysis, and material culture.
Cambridge offers undergraduate study and a range of MPhil programs, including Archaeology, Archaeological Science, Archaeological Research, Biological Anthropological Science, Assyriology, Heritage Studies, and Human Evolutionary Studies. Some options are not available every year, so applicants should check the current department page before applying.
As a Ph.D. student, you can work within a broad archaeological research community connected to the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, which supports research, publications, conferences, seminars, grants, and laboratories. The Ph.D. in Archaeology is usually completed in three to four years full-time, with part-time routes available.
2. University of Oxford
Given that they’re two of the oldest universities in the world, it’s no surprise to find the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge near the top of this list. Oxford is ranked No. 2 worldwide for Archaeology in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, and its School of Archaeology offers undergraduate, master’s, and DPhil research routes.
As an undergraduate student at Oxford, you’ll study both archaeology and anthropology. This helps you understand the biological and cultural contexts behind archaeological discoveries and makes you a more well-rounded researcher.
At the graduate level, students can choose programs such as the MSc in Archaeology, MSc in Archaeological Science, and research degrees in Archaeology, Archaeological Science, or Classical Archaeology. The MSc in Archaeological Science is a 12-month program that combines theoretical and practical training in scientific methods, including materials analysis, molecular bioarchaeology, and scientific dating.
3. University College London
Britain is an important center for archaeology, and that is reflected in this list. Founded in 1937, the Institute of Archaeology at University College London is one of Britain’s largest centers for archaeology, cultural heritage, and museum studies. It is ranked No. 3 worldwide for Archaeology in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
UCL’s programs have strong archaeological science, heritage studies, and world archaeology components. Besides learning the science of archaeology, you’ll also learn about how to preserve human cultures and understand archaeology as a global field.
UCL also welcomes affiliate and study abroad students, including Junior Year Abroad students from the United States and Canada. Students can explore areas such as archaeological theory and methods, archaeological science and conservation, Egyptology, Western Asiatic archaeology, classical archaeology, medieval archaeology, and world archaeology.
4. Durham University
Durham University has a highly ranked and diverse archaeology program that welcomes students from around the world. Its Department of Archaeology is ranked No. 5 worldwide for Archaeology in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Durham’s undergraduate options include BA and BSc Archaeology programs, joint programs with subjects such as anthropology or ancient history, and routes with placement years or years abroad. This gives students flexibility to shape their studies around fieldwork, laboratory work, heritage, and ancient civilizations.
At the postgraduate level, Durham offers specialized programs such as MA Archaeology, MSc Bioarchaeology, MSc Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology, MSc Human Bioarchaeology and Palaeopathology, MA Museum and Artefact Studies, and conservation programs focused on archaeological and museum objects. If subjects like bioarchaeology, archaeology and ancient civilizations, museum and artifact studies, conservation, and heritage interest you, Durham is a strong option.
5. Harvard University
Harvard University is the top-ranked North American university for archaeology in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, where it is ranked No. 4 worldwide. Its archaeology programs are housed in the Department of Anthropology, which gives them a strongly human-centered approach.
As an undergraduate, you study through Harvard College’s Anthropology concentration, which includes archaeology coursework. Harvard’s concentration system gives students time to explore different fields before committing to a path.
Harvard’s graduate offerings include an AM in Medical Anthropology and Ph.D. study in Anthropology with an archaeology field. However, admissions to the AM in Medical Anthropology and the Ph.D. in Archaeology are paused for Fall 2026, so prospective students should check the current GSAS and department pages before planning an application.
6. Stanford University
The Archaeology Center at Stanford University is ranked No. 9 worldwide for Archaeology in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject. The center uses its close ties to other Stanford departments to give students an interdisciplinary archaeology education across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Stanford offers an undergraduate archaeology major and minor. Graduate students pursue archaeology through affiliated departments, with Ph.D. degrees with a concentration in archaeology awarded by Anthropology, Classics, and East Asian Languages and Cultures.
Stanford’s field experiences give undergraduate students the chance to spend four to six weeks in summer on faculty-led archaeological projects. Recent and current examples include projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Africa, and Stanford-based archaeological data work, while past fieldwork has included sites connected to Sicily and Chavín de Huántar in Peru.
7. Leiden University
The Netherlands is home to excellent museums, so it’s no surprise to find a Dutch university on this list. Leiden University is one of continental Europe’s strongest archaeology institutions and is ranked No. 6 worldwide for Archaeology in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Leiden University’s archaeology programs cover Archaeology, Heritage and Museum Studies. Students develop skills in fieldwork, excavation, scientific methods, artifact analysis and interpretation, theories of human evolution and past societies, and heritage management.
Leiden’s master’s routes include a one-year Master in Archaeology and a two-year Research Master in Archaeology. The Faculty also offers a Graduate School of Archaeology for Ph.D. candidates, and the full-time Ph.D. track takes about four years on average. Career preparation includes workshops, courses, and an annual employment market.
FAQs about Studying Archaeology
What Degrees are Best for Archaeology?
When it comes to archaeology, common degree paths include archaeology, anthropology, archaeological science, bioarchaeology, cultural heritage, museum studies, conservation, classics, ancient history, and related regional studies. The best degree depends on your goals: field archaeologists often benefit from archaeology programs with fieldwork; lab-focused students may prefer archaeological science or bioarchaeology; and students interested in museums or heritage policy may prefer museum studies, conservation, or heritage management.
We hope that this article on the best archaeology schools in the world was helpful. If you are interested in learning more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
