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.
Graduate Diploma Archaeology
This course is available through the following application route(s)
- Duration:
- 1 Year
- Attendance:
- Full Time
- Delivery:
- NFQ Level:
- 9 (60 credits)
- Level:
- Graduate Taught
- Award:
- Graduate Diploma
- Next Intake:
- September
- Country Specific Entry Requirements:
- Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
- Other School Leaving Requirements:
- See www.ucd.ie/admissions
- Duration:
- 2 Years
- Attendance:
- Part-Time
- Delivery:
- NFQ Level:
- 9 (60 credits)
- Level:
- Graduate Taught
- Award:
- Graduate Diploma
- Next Intake:
- September
- Country Specific Entry Requirements:
- Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
- Other School Leaving Requirements:
- See www.ucd.ie/admissions
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
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.
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 |
ARCH31000 | Archaeology, People and Cultures in 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 |
ARCH31030 | Archaeology of Communities | 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 |
EU fee per year - € 7180
nonEU fee per year - € 15070
Graduate Diploma Archaeology (W494) Part Time
nonEU fee per year - € 7540
EU fee per year - € 4290
***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 EU) applicants: Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes
How to Apply
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 September 2024 |
Graduate Taught | Closed |
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W494 Graduate Diploma Archaeology Graduate Diploma |
Part-Time Commencing September 2024 |
Graduate Taught | Closed |
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W493 Graduate Diploma Archaeology Graduate Diploma |
Full-Time Commencing September 2025 |
Graduate Taught | Apply |
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W494 Graduate Diploma Archaeology Graduate Diploma |
Part-Time Commencing September 2025 |
Graduate Taught | Apply |