Cotswold Archaeology Work Experience

Cotswold Archaeology offers a hands-on work experience programme giving students the chance to see behind the scenes of a large commercial archaeology company. Placements are designed for beginners and include workshop sessions and interactive activities across specialist teams.

A typical week involves working with the finds team to clean, identify and sort artefacts, attending workshops with the geomatics team and heritage consultants, and learning about illustration, photography and reconstruction techniques. Each participant is paired with a staff mentor and receives timetable information before the placement.

Most activities take place in office-based workshops, but there may also be opportunities to visit active excavation sites or community digs. Lunch breaks are typically 45 minutes and students are asked to bring their own food; offices provide kitchen facilities.

Applications are managed through Cotswold Archaeology's Volunteer Portal. The scheme is open to students aged 14 and over, no prior experience is required, and Cotswold Archaeology supports reasonable adjustments for disabled or neurodivergent applicants.

Parental/carer permission is required for applicants under 18.