Archaeology and Palaeoecology

The BSc Archaeology and Palaeoecology at Queen's University Belfast offers students a comprehensive introduction to the study of ancient human societies, their environments, and the ways in which they interacted with their surroundings over thousands of years. This interdisciplinary programme combines core archaeological methods and theories with the scientific analysis of palaeoecological data, enabling students to develop a deep understanding of past ecosystems, climate change, and environmental processes. Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on training in archaeological excavation, survey techniques, and artifact analysis, complemented by laboratory work involving soil sampling, radiocarbon dating, palynology, and other palaeoecological methods. The programme emphasizes the importance of integrating archaeological evidence with palaeoenvironmental data to reconstruct past landscapes and understand human impacts on the environment over time. Students will also explore the cultural and historical contexts of archaeological findings, gaining insights into prehistoric, historic, and industrial periods. The curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a range of practical skills applicable to careers in archaeology, environmental management, heritage conservation, and academic research. Academic staff at Queen’s are active researchers in archaeology and palaeoecology, providing students with current insights and opportunities for participation in ongoing projects. The programme encourages fieldwork, and students may have opportunities to participate in archaeological excavations and palaeoecological surveys locally and internationally. Graduates will be equipped with the analytical tools and knowledge necessary for diverse careers in academia, heritage management, consultancy, or further research. The BSc in Archaeology and Palaeoecology prepares students to contribute to understanding human history and environmental change, addressing challenges such as climate change and conservation with a well-rounded scientific and cultural perspective.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 4160 Year (EEA)
• EUR 13380 Year (Non-EEA)

England, Scotland and Wales £9,000; EU £3,575; International: £11,500

• English

Course Content

BA/BSc students normally enter at Level 1 and take six Level 1 modules. Single Honours students normally take four Archaeology/Palaeoecology Level 1 modules. Students on programmes other than Single Honours normally take four (Major Honours), three (Joint Honours) or two (Minor Honours) Archaeology/Palaeoecology Level 1 modules, as appropriate for their intended pathway.

Level 1 modules covering the two disciplines are designed to serve as broad introductory courses and assume no previous knowledge. They may be of general interest to students intending to take another subject as their main degree, but who wish to enhance their knowledge of their human and environmental past and of heritage issues. These wide-ranging modules are a preparation for those taken in the second and third levels.

Modules in Levels 2 and 3 explore in detail the themes introduced in Level 1 and allow for specialisation and the development of practical skills. Level 2 modules provide skills and concepts necessary for the dissertation that may be taken at Level 3 for Single Honours students, and for future employment in Archaeology.

A new MSci in Archaeology offers a four-year programme, progressing directly to Masters-level study in Level 4.

Level 1

Barbarians, Vikings and Traders: The Archaeology of Historic Europe
Environmental Change: Past, Present and Future
Evolution: Humans and Ideas
From Cave Art to Celts: Europe in Prehistory
plus module choices from Geography and other Schools

Level 2

Ancient Economies and Landscapes
Archaeological Excavation
Flints, Farmers and Forts: Ireland in Prehistory
From St Patrick to the Plantation: The Archaeology of Historic Ireland
Rome: City and Heritage: Fieldtrip
Thinking through Things: Theorising Global Archaeology
plus module choices from Geography and other Schools

Level 3

Typical modules include:
Colonialism, Capitalism and Conflict: Exploring the Archaeology of the Modern World
Dating the Past
Medieval Settlement
Mediterranean Landscapes and Culture
Merchants, Metals and Mines: From Stone to Steel
Monuments and Ritual in European Prehistory
Quaternary Palaeocology
Society, Death and Disease
Dissertation (double module)
plus module choices from Geography and other Schools

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

BA

• A-levelBBB
• Irish Leaving CertificateB2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2

BA and BSc JointFor BA and BSc Joint Honours the requirements are stated separately under each programme.

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

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Queen's University Belfast.

The Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Archaeology and Palaeoecology at Queen's University Belfast offers students a comprehensive understanding of ancient human societies and the ecological contexts in which they existed. This interdisciplinary programme explores the archaeological record through excavation, analysis, and interpretation, providing students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Students will develop core competencies in archaeological field methods, laboratory techniques, and analytical approaches, equipping them for careers in heritage management, research, or further academic study. The programme emphasizes the importance of environmental factors in shaping human history, with modules covering palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, analysis of plant and animal remains, and climate change impacts on past societies. Students have opportunities to participate in archaeological excavations, gain hands-on experience with artefact conservation and scientific dating techniques, and undertake independent research projects. The course curriculum includes modules on prehistoric and historic archaeology, archaeological theory, and archaeological sciences, fostering critical thinking and analytical abilities. Throughout their studies, students benefit from access to state-of-the-art laboratories and collaboration with professional archaeologists and palaeoecologists. The diverse programme aims to prepare graduates for careers in archaeology, museum curation, environmental consultancy, or further academic research. The programme duration is typically three years for full-time students, with options for part-time study. Queen's University Belfast's archaeology department is renowned for its research and extensive fieldwork, giving students a unique opportunity to be involved in ongoing projects and gain real-world experience. The programme also encourages interdisciplinary approaches, integrating findings from geography, environmental science, and history to provide a well-rounded understanding of past environments and human interactions with their surroundings. Graduates of this programme will have a detailed understanding of archaeological and paleoecological methods, strong research skills, and the ability to analyze complex data, making them well-equipped for the demands of a competitive job market or academic pursuits. The programme promotes a global outlook, encouraging students to study archaeological and environmental issues from different regions and time periods, fostering a broader perspective on human history and ecological change.