During the summer months of 2004 and 2005 the archaeology team of the History, Classics and Archaeology Subject Centre (Higher Education Academy) carried out the most comprehensive survey of the opinions and experiences of archaeological fieldwork amongst archaeology students and staff in the UK. Our aim was to investigate perceptions and expectations of fieldwork in archaeology at undergraduate degree level in Britain. In this report we outline the background to the study and detail the methodology used - involving interviewing participants on site and gaining first-hand insights into their experiences. We also discuss the results of the 504 questionnaires collected, including a consideration of demographics, career options, relationships between fieldwork and the broader degree, issues of responsibility, and the education vs. training debate.

We conclude with some recommendations for departments and staff, drawn from examples of good (and not so good!) practice, as well as suggesting further ways forward for research into fieldwork and education.

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