Experimental Archaeology & Material Culture

The MSc in Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture will provide a comprehensive course of university learning and experience in experimental archaeology and material culture analysis.



Experimental archaeology can be defined as the reconstruction of past buildings, technologies, things and environmental contexts so as to enable a better understanding of the character and role of materiality and material culture in peoples lives.



It may also involve innovative, experiential interrogations of past lifeways and material culture, so as to explore and understand how people interact with each other and the world.



UCD School of Archaeology is ranked in the top 100 QS subject rankings worldwide in 2025

Stage 1 Core Modules

ARCH41170 Material Culture Autumn 10

ARCH41180 Experimental Archaeology: Making, Understanding, Storytelling Autumn 10

ARCH40850 Practical Experimental Archaeology Spring 10

ARCH41460 Dissertation (Taught) Spring 5

ARCH41470 MSc Dissertation (Research) Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - A)25CR:



Students are required to take 25 CR in Options modules - 10 CR in Autumn and 15 CR in Spring. This can include L3 modules but no more than 10 CR at Level 3 within the MSc overall.



ARCH30500 Experiment Archaeology & Ancient Technologies Autumn 5

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

ARCH31040 The Art of Greek Emotions Autumn 5

ARCH41250 Nature & Culture: A bridge Autumn 10

ARCH41310 Land / Landscape 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

ARCH31030 Archaeology of Communities Spring 10

ARCH31050 Being Human in Prehistory Spring 5

ARCH41270 Archaeological Field Methods 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

ARCH41450 Current Debates in Archaeology Spring 5

IRFL40110 Aspects of Ethnology Spring 10

A Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelors in Archaeology/Anthropology or a cognate area with a minimum 2.1 or an equivalent of a UCD GPA of 3.08 (NFQ Level 8) or international equivalent is required. Candidates from cognate disciplines (e.g. History, Classics, Art History, Geography, etc) will have demonstrated previous experience and/or awareness of Archaeological or Experimental Archaeological methods and thought, by attending during their primary degree a number of Archaeology modules and/or working for a period on an Archaeological Excavation and/or working in a Museum or Open-Air Museum. Previous academic education and/or experience in aspects of Crafts and/or Material Culture Studies will also be considered by the School. The School reserves the right to assess the extent and quality of such previous studies and experience.



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.



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: No

1/2 years, FT/PT, On Campus.

W349 MSc in Experimental Archaeology & Material Culture Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught



W350 MSc in Experimental Archaeology & Material Culture Master of Science Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught

Graduates may progress to careers in further research (e.g. PhD), in academia, state or commercial archaeology, in cultural heritage studies, in education and public outreach, in traditional and archaeological open-air museums, in cultural tourism and heritage

management, amongst many other options



Further research, whether academic or professional

Professional archaeological practice

Museums, Living History and re-enactment

Communicating heritage

Heritage and education policy and practice