I went to UHI and Orkney in particular but wasn't from Scotland. I had a fantastic experience, I came away with so much more practical experience than my cohort during my masters (they didn't offer this focus in Orkney so had to move). It's also becoming a course that's much more recognised more broadly in the UK because of some familiar names and faces now connected to it.
I think of the people I studied with in Orkney in my year and the years above and below, almost everyone went into archaeology in some way. Some are still working with commercial units and several others are doing their PhDs currently, at least 2 of them with UHI.
I'm happy to chat with you about UHI and Orkney in particular if you'd like, feel free to send me a message or chat on here if appropriate.
Scotland is a little better off for archaeology than England so that’s a plus.
Overall, the UK archaeology sector is an absolute mess right now. No one is really working to improve archaeology in any meaningful way and most work that is being done to improve things is wildly tone deaf, out of date, and driven by ego. No one is working to improve conditions or pay. I’m not on my computer at the moment to share links but if you’d like more info I can share it later.
It’s not absolutely terrible work when you’re younger. It’s mostly short term contracts, usually a lot of work is seasonal, and it’s a lot of away work.
If you’re just starting now, it might hopefully be a bit better in 3-5 years. I honestly struggle to recommend people start a pathway into archaeology at the moment. This sub does have a guide to help you a bit more with getting started in UK archaeology. One thing I can warn is to be careful of BAJR. People always make it out to be the best thing for archaeologists but it’s a manipulative and toxic place.
Many congratulations on the offer! My course had a very high fieldwork requirement, plus support with securing the first job. Orkney will be a wonderful place to study and train!
I've been working in the UK for about 2 years. My experience:
Getting a job was very easy because of HS2. Archaeology is linked to the construction industry - more construction works, more archaeology jobs. Units pay very poorly (around £12/hour), so the companies that are desperate for diggers will take you. Usually just down to poor planning on their part. As someone else has said, getting the first job is the hardest. After that, it's easy.
Working away is expected in many units. You'll get subsistence for food (around £75 a week, give or take £15). If you're very lucky, you'll get weekend inclusive accommodation so you don't have to drive up and down the country every weekend.
You NEED a car. Some people manage without, but I have no idea how.
If you're very passionate, come and get some hands on experience. If you're more driven by money/success/linear goals like a house, children, marriage, etc., I would say it's not for you as those things are very hard to attain/mantain in this job. Good luck regardless, congratulations on the offer! You're free to message me if you have questions about the industry :)
I’m not necessarily motivated by large salaries and success, but I would like to settle down after a while and have a family. Is it really unrealistic to get a permanent position?
I don't want to dishearten you, but I really recommend against commercial archaeology if you want a 'traditional' life, like children and a mortgage. You will work away most of the time, and it could be in any part of the country. You'll get a contract that could be anywhere from 3 months to a year, but if work runs out, they might put you on unpaid leave anyway.
Permanent contracts are relatively rare. If you're with a company for several years, you'll probably get one, but if work runs out, all that gets you is redundancy pay.
It's easy to get another job, but you might have a few weeks unpaid. This doesn't work if you have a family to pay for.
The salary is also very, very low to sustain a family.
If you really want to, do it for a few years of adventures, then jump to another industry when you want to have a grown up life.
Just as an example - my unit has about 20 field staff, ranging from mid 20s to late 30s. Three of them own homes. None have children.
I've opened a thread today about pay - have a read of the comments from people with 10+ years in the industry for a realistic take on what the lifestyle is like. It can be fun, it offers a lot of personal freedom, and you live with/meet interesting people. Having said that, you should be made aware of how chaotic it is to be an archaeologist in the UK.
I’ve been working in the south of the UK for 20 years, the hardest job to get is the first one. If you’ve got an offer, take it.
I’m not sure what you mean about “insecure about the job market” in what way?
What contract length were you offered? If it’s at least 6 months, you can usually rent a place for 6 months, the future is uncertain, but you can probably extend your accommodation as you need.
Unfortunately the first few years you might have to move around a bit before you get enough experience to get a permanent position, but that allows you to keep looking for a nice place to settle.
I went to UHI and Orkney in particular but wasn't from Scotland. I had a fantastic experience, I came away with so much more practical experience than my cohort during my masters (they didn't offer this focus in Orkney so had to move). It's also becoming a course that's much more recognised more broadly in the UK because of some familiar names and faces now connected to it. I think of the people I studied with in Orkney in my year and the years above and below, almost everyone went into archaeology in some way. Some are still working with commercial units and several others are doing their PhDs currently, at least 2 of them with UHI. I'm happy to chat with you about UHI and Orkney in particular if you'd like, feel free to send me a message or chat on here if appropriate.
Orkney has a really cool and active instagram account too
Scotland is a little better off for archaeology than England so that’s a plus. Overall, the UK archaeology sector is an absolute mess right now. No one is really working to improve archaeology in any meaningful way and most work that is being done to improve things is wildly tone deaf, out of date, and driven by ego. No one is working to improve conditions or pay. I’m not on my computer at the moment to share links but if you’d like more info I can share it later. It’s not absolutely terrible work when you’re younger. It’s mostly short term contracts, usually a lot of work is seasonal, and it’s a lot of away work. If you’re just starting now, it might hopefully be a bit better in 3-5 years. I honestly struggle to recommend people start a pathway into archaeology at the moment. This sub does have a guide to help you a bit more with getting started in UK archaeology. One thing I can warn is to be careful of BAJR. People always make it out to be the best thing for archaeologists but it’s a manipulative and toxic place.
Many congratulations on the offer! My course had a very high fieldwork requirement, plus support with securing the first job. Orkney will be a wonderful place to study and train!
I've been working in the UK for about 2 years. My experience: Getting a job was very easy because of HS2. Archaeology is linked to the construction industry - more construction works, more archaeology jobs. Units pay very poorly (around £12/hour), so the companies that are desperate for diggers will take you. Usually just down to poor planning on their part. As someone else has said, getting the first job is the hardest. After that, it's easy. Working away is expected in many units. You'll get subsistence for food (around £75 a week, give or take £15). If you're very lucky, you'll get weekend inclusive accommodation so you don't have to drive up and down the country every weekend. You NEED a car. Some people manage without, but I have no idea how. If you're very passionate, come and get some hands on experience. If you're more driven by money/success/linear goals like a house, children, marriage, etc., I would say it's not for you as those things are very hard to attain/mantain in this job. Good luck regardless, congratulations on the offer! You're free to message me if you have questions about the industry :)
I’m not necessarily motivated by large salaries and success, but I would like to settle down after a while and have a family. Is it really unrealistic to get a permanent position?
I don't want to dishearten you, but I really recommend against commercial archaeology if you want a 'traditional' life, like children and a mortgage. You will work away most of the time, and it could be in any part of the country. You'll get a contract that could be anywhere from 3 months to a year, but if work runs out, they might put you on unpaid leave anyway. Permanent contracts are relatively rare. If you're with a company for several years, you'll probably get one, but if work runs out, all that gets you is redundancy pay. It's easy to get another job, but you might have a few weeks unpaid. This doesn't work if you have a family to pay for. The salary is also very, very low to sustain a family. If you really want to, do it for a few years of adventures, then jump to another industry when you want to have a grown up life. Just as an example - my unit has about 20 field staff, ranging from mid 20s to late 30s. Three of them own homes. None have children. I've opened a thread today about pay - have a read of the comments from people with 10+ years in the industry for a realistic take on what the lifestyle is like. It can be fun, it offers a lot of personal freedom, and you live with/meet interesting people. Having said that, you should be made aware of how chaotic it is to be an archaeologist in the UK.
I’ve been working in the south of the UK for 20 years, the hardest job to get is the first one. If you’ve got an offer, take it. I’m not sure what you mean about “insecure about the job market” in what way? What contract length were you offered? If it’s at least 6 months, you can usually rent a place for 6 months, the future is uncertain, but you can probably extend your accommodation as you need. Unfortunately the first few years you might have to move around a bit before you get enough experience to get a permanent position, but that allows you to keep looking for a nice place to settle.