- Apply discipline-specific archaeological skills and approaches, such as archaeological fieldwork or laboratory techniques
- Communicate through written, visual and oral media to specialist and non-specialist
- Conduct independent and self-planned evidence-based research projects, reflectively using appropriate professional methodologies and equipment
- Develop a detailed knowledge of Ireland’s internationally-renowned archaeological record, underpinned by the global context
- Develop a detailed understanding of key changes in human society globally from prehistory to the present day, and how this influences the modern world
- Develop an advanced understanding of the latest international archaeological practice and research
- Gather, evaluate and interpret archaeological data, transforming it into knowledge in interdisciplinary context and communicating your results effectively
- Participate in field and laboratory-based archaeological projects
- Reflect upon the roles of archaeology and the past in modern society, the value of heritage and the context of appropriate legislation
- Work within large or small teams and independently, leading and being led as appropriate
This course is available through the following application route(s)
The Higher Diploma (HDip) in Archaeology is a one year (full time) or two year (part time) 60-ECTS credit degree programme. It is designed for people who do not have a previous qualification in archaeology but who wish to consider a postgraduate degree in the subject
The programme comprises the final two years of our undergraduate programme compressed into a single academic year. This includes:
- Core modules on archaeological theory, methods, approaches to landscape and material culture as well as key issues in heritage management and Irish archaeology
- Optional modules in areas including prehistoric and medieval archaeology, scientific archaeology and other thematic areas.
- Production of a 10-credit independent research project.
About This Course
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.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ARCH20510 | Archaeology of Landscapes | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ARCH20520 | How Archaeologists Think: an introduction to archaeological theory | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ARCH30700 | Research Project Preparation | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ARCH30920 | Communicating Archaeology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ARCH20500 | Archaeology of Things | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ARCH30880 | Research Project | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0CR: Students may choose to take one of the options below, but not both options. It is not necessary to choose either option. |
ARCH10050 | Intro archaeology of Ireland | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0CR: Students may choose to take one of the options below, but not both options. It is not necessary to choose either option. |
LSOC10010 | Making the Irish Landscape | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR: Please select the remainder of your credits from the below Lists B&C (either 20 or 25 credits dependent on whether you chose a module from List A). Students must take a minimum of 10 credits of option modules at Level 3 (ARCH3xxxx). |
ARCH20570 | Cultural Heritage | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR: Please select the remainder of your credits from the below Lists B&C (either 20 or 25 credits dependent on whether you chose a module from List A). Students must take a minimum of 10 credits of option modules at Level 3 (ARCH3xxxx). |
ARCH20610 | Historical Archaeology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR: Please select the remainder of your credits from the below Lists B&C (either 20 or 25 credits dependent on whether you chose a module from List A). Students must take a minimum of 10 credits of option modules at Level 3 (ARCH3xxxx). |
ARCH30500 | Experiment Archaeology & Ancient Technologies | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR: Please select the remainder of your credits from the below Lists B&C (either 20 or 25 credits dependent on whether you chose a module from List A). Students must take a minimum of 10 credits of option modules at Level 3 (ARCH3xxxx). |
ARCH30820 | The Archaeology of Collapse | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR: Please select the remainder of your credits from the below Lists B&C (either 20 or 25 credits dependent on whether you chose a module from List A). Students must take a minimum of 10 credits of option modules at Level 3 (ARCH3xxxx). |
ARCH31020 | Understanding Human Origins | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR: Please select the remainder of your credits from the below Lists B&C (either 20 or 25 credits dependent on whether you chose a module from List A). Students must take a minimum of 10 credits of option modules at Level 3 (ARCH3xxxx). |
ARCH10150 | Anthropology: an introduction | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR: Please select the remainder of your credits from the below Lists B&C (either 20 or 25 credits dependent on whether you chose a module from List A). Students must take a minimum of 10 credits of option modules at Level 3 (ARCH3xxxx). |
ARCH20600 | Archaeological Science | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR: Please select the remainder of your credits from the below Lists B&C (either 20 or 25 credits dependent on whether you chose a module from List A). Students must take a minimum of 10 credits of option modules at Level 3 (ARCH3xxxx). |
ARCH20620 | People in Prehistory: key themes and problems | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR: Please select the remainder of your credits from the below Lists B&C (either 20 or 25 credits dependent on whether you chose a module from List A). Students must take a minimum of 10 credits of option modules at Level 3 (ARCH3xxxx). |
ARCH31000 | Archaeology, People and Cultures in Extreme Environments | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR: Please select the remainder of your credits from the below Lists B&C (either 20 or 25 credits dependent on whether you chose a module from List A). Students must take a minimum of 10 credits of option modules at Level 3 (ARCH3xxxx). |
ARCH31030 | Archaeology of Communities | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: 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 |
Higher Diploma Archaeology (Z212) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 7180
nonEU fee per year - € 15070
Higher Diploma Archaeology (Z213) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 4290
nonEU fee per year - € 7540
***Fees are subject to change
EU fee per year - € 7180
nonEU fee per year - € 15070
Higher Diploma Archaeology (Z213) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 4290
nonEU fee per year - € 7540
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.
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.
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
The HDip is designed for students with little or no prior archaeological training, and will fast track you through the advanced stages (Levels 2 and 3) of our undergraduate programme.
The Higher Diploma in Archaeology is a Level 8 course within the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and runs for a year (Full Time) or two years (Part Time). The majority of students who study for the Higher Diploma already have an Honours Bachelor Degree; although holders of Ordinary Bachelor Degrees are also still able to do a Higher Diploma. In either case,a minimum 2.1 or an equivalent of a UCD GPA of 3.2. is required.
For most students, the Higher Diploma offers a way for students with no archaeological qualifications to begin to study archaeology at 3rd Level. As such, the Higher Diploma does not require the previous qualification to be in archaeology or a related discipline. If completed successfully, the Higher Diploma may offer a pathway for students to study for a Masters degree in archaeology.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Higher Diploma Archaeology:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | Z212 Higher Diploma Archaeology Higher Diploma Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | Z213 Higher Diploma Archaeology Higher Diploma Part-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |
* you can change options at the top of the page