Archaeology

Archaeology is the discipline of things, exploring how people in the past created unique societies through their construction, use and perception of landscapes, plants, animals and things. Archaeology can explore the origins and character of past societies, population migrations, and the relationship between human behaviour, landscapes, material culture and climatic and environmental change. Archaeology holds many opportunities for an interesting and rewarding career, in archaeological practice, in cultural heritage and archaeological management and conservation, in museums and curation, in academic research and in public engagement and education.



Your learning will be built around engaging and training in key archaeological skills, such as Landscape Archaeology, Artefact and Material Culture studies, Environmental Archaeology, Geographical Information Systems (G.I.S.), LiDAR and Remote Sensing and Archaeological Field Practice. You will also have the opportunity to take specific modules and design and complete an MSc Dissertation so as to specialise in particularly chronological or cultural periods (e.g. Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age/Roman, Early Medieval, Medieval, Historical/Post-Medieval). You will complete your MSc Dissertation on a chosen topic, supervised by an expert in the field.



UCD School of Archaeology has an international reputation in the study of prehistoric archaeology, with one of the largest groups of researchers in this field anywhere in the world. You will be part of a dynamic, friendly and international postgraduate community in a School with a 160-year history of exceptional archaeological research. Our approach is global in perspective, but you will also be able to explore and study first-hand Ireland’s extraordinary cultural heritage. You will benefit from UCD’s proximity to some of the best-preserved and most spectacular prehistoric monuments and landscapes in Europe as well as to key cultural institutions such as the National Museum of Ireland with its outstanding prehistory collections.



You will learn to combine innovative archaeological and scientific approaches with current theoretical perspectives to examine the material remains of prehistoric societies, developing a sophisticated understanding of how different field and laboratory methods can be employed to answer key research questions in prehistory. You will gain skills in project design and independent research, data analysis and interpretation, and communicating the past to different stakeholder groups.

Stage 1 Core Modules

ARCH41170 Material Culture Autumn 10

ARCH41310 Land / Landscape Autumn 10

ARCH41270 Archaeological Field Methods Spring 10

ARCH41450 Current Debates in Archaeology Spring 5



Stage 1 Options - A)25CR:

Students are required to take 25 CR Options modules - 10 CR in Autumn and 15 CR in Spring. A maximum of 10 CR of which can be at Level 3



ARCH30910 Roman Imperial Art, Architecture and Political Propaganda; how to spot fake news in the Roman world Autumn 10

ARCH30990 Between Newgrange & Stonehenge Autumn 10

ARCH41180 Experimental Archaeology: Making, Understanding, Storytelling Autumn 10

ARCH41240 Heritage Management Challenges Autumn 10

ARCH41250 Nature & Culture: A bridge Autumn 10

ARCH41320 Hunter-Gatherers 1: Key Themes Autumn 10

ARCH30530 Early Medieval Ireland and Beyond: Social Identity and Belonging AD 400-1100 Spring 5

ARCH30830 Medieval Buildings: An Arch Spring 10

ARCH31030 Archaeology of Communities Spring 10

ARCH31050 Being Human in Prehistory Spring 5

ARCH40850 Practical Experimental Archaeology Spring 10

ARCH41330 Hunter-Gatherers 2: producing knowledge Spring 10

ARCH41340 GIS, Cultural Heritage and Spatial Thinking Spring 10

ARCH41380 Urban Histories and Heritages Spring 10

ARCH41460 Dissertation (Taught) Spring 5

IRFL40110 Aspects of Ethnology Spring 10

- entry to MSc based on an Upper Second Class Honours (2H1) undergraduate degree (GPA 3.2, NFQ Level 8, or the international equivalent) in archaeology or anthropology, or other cognate disciplines (to be discussed with programme coordinator)



- entry to GradDip based on a Lower Second Class Honours (2H2) undergraduate degree (GPA 2.7, NFQ Level 8, or the international equivalent) or equivalent experience) in archaeology or anthropology, or other cognate disciplines (to be discussed with programme coordinator)



- If English is not your native language, proof of proficiency in English will be required, unless you took your primary degree through English. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL Internet Based Test is 90, on the IELTS system it is 6.5



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes

1 year full-time,

2 years part-time,

W493 Graduate Diploma Archaeology Grad Dip Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



W494 Graduate Diploma Archaeology Grad Dip Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

The GDip will provide you with the skills required to develop a career in the archaeological profession or the heritage sector, or to go on to further academic study. Transferable skillsets such as critical thinking and project management will also provide you with an excellent grounding for future employment in other sectors. Graduates of this programme may progress to further academic study or careers in:



• Commercial archaeology and CRM

• The heritage sector

• State sector bodies

• NGOs

• Education

• Tourism