Studying archaeology at UCD provides a transformative educational experience that enables you to use an understanding of the past to critically contribute to the issues of the present and the future. The degree develops your archaeological knowledge, and provides a broad range of the archaeological skills required to discover the past. Through the programme you will develop an appreciation of cultural diversity over space and time. You will also develop key transferable skills, be encouraged to think critically, and create a solid foundation for further study.

The programme is aimed at students of all ages and backgrounds who are interested in the study of human culture, societies and environments over time, as well as those with a specific interest in archaeology as a profession. Archaeology is interdisciplinary, bridging the humanities and social sciences as well as the biological, earth, and physical sciences. It combines an exciting and varied range of approaches that develop knowledge about, and value for, our archaeological heritage. This includes collaborative and independent research, practical and theoretical approaches, always emphasising the importance of evidence-based research and engaging multiple forms of intelligence. Individual development and self-discovery is a key component of archaeological training, as is sharing experiences and values as part of a team.

Our teaching programme focuses on both Irish and international material, integrating the latest research carried out by staff to highlight Ireland’s important position within the global archaeological community. We use a range of learning approaches, from traditional lectures and seminars to fieldtrips, laboratory and practical elements; our students engage with key archaeological sites and landscapes within Ireland and overseas through field-based teaching across a range of modules. Assessment strategies are varied, ranging from traditional essays to project plans, poster presentations and reflexive field journals. Field teaching is an essential part of archaeology, and a number of modules have elements of fieldwork, including the School’s ongoing summer field excavation.

1 - Have an advanced understanding of the latest international archaeological practice and research
2 - Have a detailed understanding of key changes in human society globally from prehistory to the present day, and how this influences the modern world
3 - Reflect on the roles of archaeology and the past in modern society, the value of heritage and the context of appropriate legislation
4 - Have a detailed knowledge of Ireland’s internationally-renowned archaeological record, underpinned by the global context
5 - Gather, evaluate and interpret archaeological data, transforming it into knowledge in interdisciplinary context and communicating your results effectively
6 - Communicate effectively through written, visual and oral media to specialist and non-specialist audiences
7 - Work within large or small teams and independently, leading and being part of a team as appropriate

Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available – this means that you may need to choose more than the minimum requirements in order to choose 25 credits. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.

Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits at stage 4. Select a minimum of 20 credits of option modules: a minimum of 15 credits should be from list A, the remaining 5 credits of options can be selected from list A OR B. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.

In order to complete your Undergraduate degree, you must earn at least 40 credits at level 3 or above. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet this requirement. Note: You may have taken some level 3 modules in stage 3 already.

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
ARCH10010	Exploring Archaeology	Autumn	5
ARCH10160	The Human Past	Autumn	5
ARCH10050	Intro archaeology of Ireland	Spring	5
Stage 1 Core Modules
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN1OF: Select a minimum of 1 of the following option modules.
LSOC10010	Making the Irish Landscape	Autumn	5
ARCH10150	Anthropology: an introduction	Spring	5
ARCH10170	Making the Past	Spring	5
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN1OF: Select a minimum of 1 of the following option modules.
Stage 2 Core Modules
ARCH20520	How Archaeologists Think: an introduction to archaeological theory	Autumn	5
Stage 2 Core Modules
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN2OF: Select a minimum of 2 of two of the following option modules.
ARCH20510	Archaeology of Landscapes	Autumn	5
ARCH20570	Cultural Heritage	Autumn	5
ARCH20500	Archaeology of Things	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN2OF: Select a minimum of 2 of two of the following option modules.
Stage 2 Options - B)MIN1OF: Select a minimum of 1 of the following option modules.
ARCH20600	Archaeological Science	Autumn	5
ARCH20630	Archaeological Field Skills	Autumn	5
ARCH20610	Historical Archaeology	Spring	5
ARCH20620	People in Prehistory: key themes and problems	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - B)MIN1OF: Select a minimum of 1 of the following option modules.
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN3OF: Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available – this means that you may need to choose more than the minimum requirements in order to choose 25 credits. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.
ARCH20510	Archaeology of Landscapes	Autumn	5
ARCH20600	Archaeological Science	Autumn	5
ARCH20630	Archaeological Field Skills	Autumn	5
ARCH30170	Combat Archaeology	Autumn	5
ARCH30500	Experiment Archaeology & Ancient Technologies	Autumn	5
ARCH30720	Archaeology of Food	Autumn	10
ARCH30820	The Archaeology of Collapse	Autumn	10
ARCH20610	Historical Archaeology	Spring	5
ARCH20620	People in Prehistory: key themes and problems	Spring	5
ARCH30770	Environmental Arch in Practice	Spring	10
ARCH30930	Archaeology of Communities	Spring	5
ARCH30940	Archaeology and Climate Change	Spring	5
ARCH30960	Mediterranean Early Prehistory	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN3OF: Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available – this means that you may need to choose more than the minimum requirements in order to choose 25 credits. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.
Stage 4 Core Modules
ARCH30920	Communicating Archaeology	Autumn	5
Stage 4 Core Modules
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN2OF: Select a minimum of 20 credits of option modules from the two lists below. Select a minimum of 15 credits from list A (this list), the remaining 5 credits of options can be selected from list A or B. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available – this means that you may need to choose more than the minimum requirements in order to choose 15 credits.
ARCH30170	Combat Archaeology	Autumn	5
ARCH30500	Experiment Archaeology & Ancient Technologies	Autumn	5
ARCH30700	Research Project Preparation	Autumn	5
ARCH30720	Archaeology of Food	Autumn	10
ARCH30820	The Archaeology of Collapse	Autumn	10
ARCH30770	Environmental Arch in Practice	Spring	10
ARCH30880	Research Project	Spring	10
ARCH30930	Archaeology of Communities	Spring	5
ARCH30940	Archaeology and Climate Change	Spring	5
ARCH30960	Mediterranean Early Prehistory	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN2OF: Select a minimum of 20 credits of option modules from the two lists below. Select a minimum of 15 credits from list A (this list), the remaining 5 credits of options can be selected from list A or B. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available – this means that you may need to choose more than the minimum requirements in order to choose 15 credits.
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN0OF: You may select a max of 5 credits from the following options list to fulfill your 20 credit requirement of option modules.
ARCH20520	How Archaeologists Think: an introduction to archaeological theory	Autumn	5
ARCH20570	Cultural Heritage	Autumn	5
ARCH20600	Archaeological Science	Autumn	5
ARCH20610	Historical Archaeology	Spring	5
ARCH20620	People in Prehistory: key themes and problems	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN0OF: You may select a max of 5 credits from the following options list to fulfill your 20 credit requirement of option modules.

		Award		GPA
Programme	Module Weightings	Rule Description	Description
BHSOC010	Stage 4 - 50.00% Stage 3 - 30.00% Stage 2 - 20.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47