27th June 2011, 09:55 PM
If the source of UK archaeology students dries up I am sure there will be plenty of takers from the rest of Europe ready and willing to step into all those job vacancies. And of course as most of those folk will come from countries where tertiary education is still free or heavily subsidised, they will be able to afford to work for less and still see more money in their hand at the end of the day!!
My argument against those who say you don't need a degree to do archaeology also looks towards the bigger European and world employment market. I am not really concerned with the narrow system or conditions operating in parts of the UK (and my argument isn't a slur against capable practitioners who are degree-less but still fine archaeologists). It is this. There are many countries outside of the UK where you wouldn't be even considered for employment as an archaeologist without an undergraduate degree, quite often, as here in Scandinavia, a Masters is the minimum and I know of several institutes where doctorates are de rigeur for all permanent posts. Of course many people are content with working just in the UK, but with the current downturn, I know more and more Brit archies are testing the waters abroad.....and you really need a degree to do that (or a lot of chutzpah if you don't!!). Studying abroad particularly in Europe, is also much cheaper for British students than it is to study at home. I can see the day when archaeology might well be taught at the big 6 UK universities only to a small exclusive student base and most UK based practitioners of the field arts learn their university lessons abroad....
My argument against those who say you don't need a degree to do archaeology also looks towards the bigger European and world employment market. I am not really concerned with the narrow system or conditions operating in parts of the UK (and my argument isn't a slur against capable practitioners who are degree-less but still fine archaeologists). It is this. There are many countries outside of the UK where you wouldn't be even considered for employment as an archaeologist without an undergraduate degree, quite often, as here in Scandinavia, a Masters is the minimum and I know of several institutes where doctorates are de rigeur for all permanent posts. Of course many people are content with working just in the UK, but with the current downturn, I know more and more Brit archies are testing the waters abroad.....and you really need a degree to do that (or a lot of chutzpah if you don't!!). Studying abroad particularly in Europe, is also much cheaper for British students than it is to study at home. I can see the day when archaeology might well be taught at the big 6 UK universities only to a small exclusive student base and most UK based practitioners of the field arts learn their university lessons abroad....
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...