This course offers a Single Honours degree programme examining the human past from a broad humanities and social sciences perspective, including the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in working with archaeological material and undertaking fieldwork.

Archaeology explores a wide range of evidence that documents the human past – from artefacts, monuments and settlements to entire landscapes – and from these interprets how societies have adapted and developed. Modules focus on different periods of World, European and Irish/British archaeology, from human origins to modern times and practical archaeology and heritage practice. Queen's University Belfast is one of the best places to study Archaeology in the UK, second place for quality of teaching in the National Student Survey 2025 and second place for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2025.

Studying Archaeology at Queen’s progressively develops general and specific knowledge and skills, through excavation, fieldwork, overseas fieldtrips, laboratory and practical work. A wide range of career options are available to our graduates, including careers in commercial archaeology, survey, heritage management and many more, both within and beyond the heritage sector.

As well as the Single Honours BA in Archaeology and BSc in Archaeology-Palaeoecology, Queen's offers several degrees which combine Archaeology (the study of past human activities) and Palaeoecology (the study of past environments) with other subjects (Languages, Geography, Anthropology and History). All of those Single Honours and Joint Honours degrees offer a module pathway that is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK (UAUK).

Archaeology and palaeoecology were pioneers in the area of scientific dating techniques.

Course highlights

Global Opportunities

Students on this programme benefit from a broad range of study-abroad and international placement opportunities, e.g. in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

Students are also eligible to apply to the University’s Study USA programme.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/GlobalOpportunities/

World Class Facilities

The School boasts the internationally renowned 14CHRONO Centre for Radiocarbon Dating, the Centre for Community Archaeology, departmental collections and laboratories for study of artefacts, human, animal and plant remains and other scientific materials and instruments, access to GIS, laser scanning and specialist teaching laboratories. In 2021–24, these laboratories received a major state-of-the-art upgrade, with £5m of investment through the UKRI World Class Labs, Capability for Collections, and Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science Funds, and the Department for Economy, Northern Ireland.

The University’s McClay Library holds one of the most comprehensive collections of resources on Irish, British, European and World Archaeology in Ireland and the UK, and provides state-of-the-art study facilities.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/about/Campus-and-facilities/The-McClay-Library/

Internationally Renowned Experts

On this programme you will be taught by academics who are internationally renowned experts at the top of their respective fields.

Student Experience

Archaeology at Queen’s stands out for its sustained excellent teaching record, having scored 95% overall student satisfaction in the UK National Student Surveys 2019 and 2021, and 100% overall student satisfaction in the UK National Student Surveys 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2023.

3rd place for Student Experience (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022). More recently, we scored second place for quality of teaching in the National Student Survey 2025.

2nd place for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025).

1.First year will provide students with an overview of key periods in Irish, European and world archaeology. Students also have an opportunity to take part in an excavation during the summer of their first year.
2. Second year focuses on training in key archaeological skills and techniques with opportunities to expand skillsets into other relevant areas including GIS and spatial analysis and cultural heritage management. It also prepares students for independent research providing the theoretical grounding necessary to complete a dissertation in the final year.
3. Third year allows students to engage in independent research by completing a dissertation. Modules also allow students to delve deeper into topics introduced in levels 1 and 2.

Introduction

All students normally take six courses per stage (a stage equals one academic year of full-time study), each covering a distinct theme. Single Honours students normally take at least five Archaeology/Palaeoecology courses. Students on Joint Honours degree programmes normally take three Archaeology/Palaeoecology courses, in addition to three courses from their second subject.

Students enrolled on this programme have the opportunity to undertake an optional additional year of study, either between Stages 2 and 3 or after completing Stage 3, spent studying abroad or on a workplace placement.


Note: some modules may be subject to change

Stage 1

Themes covered in Stage 1 include an introduction to world archaeology and to archaeological fieldwork techniques, as well as overviews of European prehistory and historical archaeology in a global context.

Stage 1 Optional Courses

Optional courses at Stage 1 explore, amongst other themes, the relationship between past human societies and their natural environment, and in particular the long-term impact of environmental change on humans.

Stage 2

At Stage 2, students explore in more detail the themes introduced at Stage 1 and develop both their theoretical background knowledge and their practical skills, with some scope for specialisation. In particular, Stage 2 courses provide competencies and concepts necessary for the dissertation that is normally taken at Stage 3, and for future employment in Archaeology and a wide range of other fields.

Stage 2 Optional Courses

Optional courses at Stage 2 focus on the archaeology of Ireland and of other specific geographical areas, as well as on archaeological, palaeoenvironmental and geospatial techniques.

Stage 3

At Stage 3, students dedicate a substantial part of their time to their chosen dissertation project, building on the knowledge and skills they have acquired through Stages 1 and 2.

Stage 3 Optional Courses

Students at Stage 3 have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of optional courses focusing on specialist themes, ranging in time from the evolution of early humans to the Middle Ages, and covering fields as diverse as population studies, ritual and religion, prehistoric monuments and advanced GIS skills.

Supplement - Optional Additional Year

Students enrolled on this programme have the opportunity to undertake an optional additional year of study, either between Stages 2 and 3 or after completing Stage 3. The additional year can be spent studying abroad at one of our international partner universities or on a UK or international workplace placement. Depending on the chosen option, the degree title awarded will then be ‘BA Archaeology with International Study’, ‘BA Archaeology with Placement’, or ‘BA Archaeology with International Placement’.

• People Teaching You
  Dr William Megarry

  Programme Director for Archaeology and Archaeology-Palaeoecology

  Natural and Built Environment
  William Megarry is an archaeologist, geographical information systems (GIS) and heritage management specialist with over 20 years experience. He has a particular interest in the intersections between cultural heritage and climate change, the application and transferability of geospatial technologies to archaeology and cultural heritage site management and protection. He is also an active field archaeologist with projects exploring island cultures during the western European prehistoric periods.

• Contact Teaching Hours

  Medium Group Teaching

  6 (hours maximum)
  6 hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week, some weeks will have additional field classes

  Personal Study

  24 (hours maximum)
  22-24 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities etc

  Large Group Teaching

  6 (hours maximum)
  6 hours of lectures

  Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

  2 (hours maximum)
  2 hours of tutorials (or individual project supervision) each week

• Learning and Teaching

  At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable each student to achieve their full academic potential.
  
  Within Archaeology we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

  E-Learning technologies

  Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with web design in practicals and project-based work.

  Fieldwork

  Fieldwork is a key part of archaeology and palaeoecology and most courses provide an opportunity to visit site and landscapes. Fieldtrips including day and residential trips.

  Lectures

  Introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).

  Personal Tutor

  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

  Practicals

  Where students will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. Many Archaeology and Palaeoecology modules have associated practical classes, ranging from 3 to 9 hours study per week, depending on the module content.

  Self-directed study

  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

  Seminars/tutorials

  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. Students should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

  Supervised projects

  In final year, students will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that they have chosen. They will receive support from a supervisor who will guide them in terms of how to carry out research and who will provide feedback on a number of occasions during the write up stage.

  Work placements and Field Classes

  Students gain practical fieldwork experience through the teaching excavation at Stage 1 and will normally have the opportunity to build further experience though volunteering on staff-led field projects throughout Stages 2 and 3.

• Assessment

  Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

  • The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each course. Some courses are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and exams. Details of how each course is assessed are explained in the general course catalogue and in the handbook for each individual course available to students.

A level requirements

BBB

A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level and a Distinction being equated to a grade B at A-level.

Irish leaving certificate requirements

H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3

Access Course

Successful completion of Access Course with an average of 65%.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

32 points overall including 6,5,5 at Higher Level

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma

QCF BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits at Level 3) with overall grades DDD

RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 GLH at Level 3) with overall grades DDD

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree.

All applicants

There are no specific subject requirements to study Archaeology, although subjects as diverse as Art, Physics, Biology, Geography, Geology, Classical Civilisation, History, Chemistry, Mathematics or Languages have all been helpful in the past.

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

• How we choose our students

  Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Natural and Built Environment. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.
  
  Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.
  
  For entry last year, applicants for this degree must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better (to include English Language), though this profile may change from year to year depending on the demand for places. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.
  
  For applicants offering Irish Leaving Certificate, please note that performance at Irish Junior Certificate (IJC) is taken into account. For last year’s entry applicants for this degree must have had, a minimum of 5 IJC grades C/Merit. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied.
  
  Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered. The minimum acceptable is two subjects at A-level plus one at AS though candidates offering this combination will be considered on an individual basis depending on the degree for which they have applied. The offer for repeat candidates may be one grade higher than for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.
  
  Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.
  
  Applicants offering other qualifications will also be considered. The same GCSE (or equivalent) profile is usually expected of those applicants offering other qualifications.
  
  Those offering a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND) are considered individually on their own merits for entry to Stage 1. For applicants offering a HNC, the current requirements are successful completion of the HNC with 1 Distinction and remainder Merits. For those offering a HND, at least at least one first year unit must be at Merit grade. Where offers are made students would be expected to achieve Merits in all units assessed in final year. For those offering a HNC or HND, some flexibility may be allowed in terms of GCSE profile.
  
  The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of degree courses in the School of Natural and Built Environment, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.
  
  A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.
  
  Applicants are not normally asked to attend for interview.
  
  If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.
  
  If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

• International Students

  Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

  Please Select Your Country/Region Please Select Your Country/Region

  International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

  For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

  If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

  • Foundation
    The progression course suited to this programme is
    https://qubisc.com/en/courses/international-foundation-in-business-humanities-and-social-sciences.
  • International Year One
    The progression course suited to this programme is
    https://qubisc.com/en/courses/international-year-one-in-engineering.