Experimental Archaeology & Material Culture

Experimental archaeology can be defined as the reconstruction of past buildings, technologies, practices, and things, based on archaeological evidence, and their use as analogies, their recording, testing, use and experience so as to enable a better understanding of people’s lives in the past. It may involve scientific analyses, but also innovative, experiential interrogations of past lifeways and material culture, so as to explore and understand how people interact with materials, craft skills, things, each other, and the wider world.



The Graduate Certificate in Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture (Online/Distance Learning) builds on the strengths of the existing taught programmes in UG/PGT in experimental archaeology and material culture, and the international reputation of UCD School of Archaeology’s Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture (CEAMC). The Graduate Certificate in Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture (Online/Distance Learning) is a part-time, online, distance learning course designed to equip students with current thinking and professional understanding of experimental archaeological investigations of past societies. The programme will provide you with the knowledge base, skills and confidence to further develop their career in this field, and to build potential for further graduate studies, research and teaching.



It is:



- The only Experimental Archaeology & Material Culture Distance Learning course in the world, offering a multidisciplinary programme of teaching and learning with modules in theoretical and practical approaches to experimental archaeology and material culture

- Designed for practitioners, museum professionals and motivated participants working in the areas of experimental archaeology, living history, re-enactment, crafts and ancient technologies, primitive technology, museums, archaeological open air museums, and also professional archaeologists (to be accredited as a CPD)

- A part-time, online, distance learning course with an international focus on experimental archaeology and material culture.

Module Trimester Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

ARCH41370 Experimental Archaeology (Online) Autumn 10

ARCH41350 Thinking about Things (Online) Spring 10

ARCH41360 Crafts, Making & Storytelling (Online) Summer 10

A Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelors in Archaeology/Anthropology or a cognate area with a minimum 2.2 (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?

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes

1 year part-time online.

W499 Grad Cert Experimental Archaeology & Material Culture

Graduate Certificate (Minor Cert Level 9) Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Career Opportunities

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