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Graduate Diploma Archaeology

GradDip (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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UCD School of Archaeology's GradDiploma in Archaeology is designed for students interested in the challenges and opportunities in studying the human past. 

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.

About This Course

On completion of this programme, a student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the distinctive challenges and opportunities of studying our prehistoric past in its global context.

2. Critically assess archaeological interpretations of different datasets.

3. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of key theoretical approaches, and of the history and context of archaeological interpretations.

4. Understand how different field and laboratory methods can be employed to answer key research questions in prehistory.

5. Appropriately select and apply discipline-specific archaeological skills and approaches to resolve research problems and develop our understanding of prehistoric societies.

6. Work within large or small teams and independently, leading and being led as appropriate.

7. Effectively communicate archaeological knowledge using a variety of different approaches and platforms.

8. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how archaeological knowledge is relevant to key contemporary issues.

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

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 ARCH41170 Material Culture Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 ARCH41310 Land / Landscape Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 ARCH41270 Archaeological Field Methods Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students are required to take 30 CR Options modules from Lists B&C. A maximum of 10 CR of which can be at Level 3
 ARCH41180 Experimental Archaeology: Making, Understanding, Storytelling Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students are required to take 30 CR Options modules from Lists B&C. A maximum of 10 CR of which can be at Level 3
 ARCH41240 Heritage Management Challenges Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students are required to take 30 CR Options modules from Lists B&C. A maximum of 10 CR of which can be at Level 3
 ARCH41250 Nature & Culture: A bridge Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students are required to take 30 CR Options modules from Lists B&C. A maximum of 10 CR of which can be at Level 3
 ARCH30990 Between Newgrange & Stonehenge Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students are required to take 30 CR Options modules from Lists B&C. A maximum of 10 CR of which can be at Level 3
 ARCH31000 People & Extreme Environments Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students are required to take 30 CR Options modules from Lists B&C. A maximum of 10 CR of which can be at Level 3
 ARCH40850 Practical Experimental Archaeology Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students are required to take 30 CR Options modules from Lists B&C. A maximum of 10 CR of which can be at Level 3
 ARCH41340 GIS, Cultural Heritage and Spatial Thinking Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students are required to take 30 CR Options modules from Lists B&C. A maximum of 10 CR of which can be at Level 3
 ARCH41410 Presenting & Managing Heritage Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students MAY select a maximum of 10 credits from Level 3 modules in List B&C (if not previously taken). Due to capacity restrictions, registration for ARCH31010 is not available online - if you wish to take this module please contact the School of Archaeology using this Google Form.
 ARCH31010 Human Osteoarchaeology Autumn  10

Graduate Diploma Archaeology (W493) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 7000
nonEU    fee per year - € 15070

Graduate Diploma Archaeology (W494) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 4190
nonEU    fee per year - € 7540

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. In terms of higher education, notwithstanding Brexit, UK students will still be eligible for the EU fee rate.

- 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

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Graduate Diploma Archaeology:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W493
Graduate Diploma Archaeology
Graduate Diploma		 Full-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September		 Graduate Taught Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W494
Graduate Diploma Archaeology
Graduate Diploma		 Part-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September		 Graduate Taught Apply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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