Hunter Gatherer Archaeology

The MSc in Hunter- Gatherer Archaeology is for students interested in the fascinating and remarkable world of hunter-gatherers. It is often claimed that humans have spent 90-99% of their existence as hunter-gatherers. Understanding these ways of life provides vital perspectives on human identity and the challenges and opportunities societies face today. Anthropology provides information about recent hunter-gatherers, but archaeology is the only discipline that can understand our hunter-gatherer past, and hunter-gatherer archaeology therefore has a particular significance. Our programme will introduce students to key themes in the archaeology of past hunter gatherers, the relationship between past and present hunting and gathering communities, and the contemporary context of knowledge production about hunter-gatherers. Our primary focus is the archaeology of Homo sapienshunter-gatherers: we will include some discussion of non-Homo sapiens, but this is not a course on human evolution.



Students will develop skills in project design and independent research, data analysis and interpretation, communicating the past to different stakeholders, as well as how to develop different perspectives on the past. Students will be part of a dynamic, friendly and international postgraduate community in a School with a 160-year history of exceptional archaeological research and will form part of the UCD Hunter Gatherer Research Group.



Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology students have the opportunity to volunteer on many of our hunter-gatherer research projects, potentially including two weeks of excavation in the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland. Contact the course director (graeme.warren@ucd.ie) for details.

Stage 1 Core Modules



ARCH41170 Material Culture Autumn 10

ARCH41320 Hunter-Gatherers 1: Key Themes Autumn 10

ARCH41330 Hunter-Gatherers 2: producing knowledge 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.



ARCH41180 Experimental Archaeology: Making, Understanding, Storytelling Autumn 10

ARCH41240 Heritage Management Challenges Autumn 10

ARCH41250 Nature & Culture: A bridge Autumn 10

ARCH41310 Land / Landscape Autumn 10

ARCH40850 Practical Experimental Archaeology Spring 10

ARCH41220 Heritage Management in Practice Spring 5

ARCH41270 Archaeological Field Methods Spring 10

ARCH41340 GIS, Cultural Heritage and Spatial Thinking Spring 10

ARCH41450 Current Debates in Archaeology Spring 5

LAW42040 Culture, Heritage and Human Rights 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) 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

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

W501 MSc Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught



W502 MSc Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology Master of Science Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught

The MSc 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 careers in:



• Further research, whether academic or professional

• Commercial archaeology and cultural resource management

• The heritage sector & Tourism

• State sector bodies

• NGOs

• Education