Program Overview

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Archaeology and Irish

Overview

This course offers a Joint Honours degree programme examining both the wider human past and contemporary Irish language as well as Gaelic heritage and identity from a broad humanities-based perspective, including the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in working with archaeological material and undertaking fieldwork.

Course Structure

The course is divided into three stages, each covering a distinct theme.

Stage 1

Themes covered in Stage 1 include the Irish language and an introduction to world archaeology.

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.

Stage 3

At Stage 3, students further hone their linguistic skills and 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.

Modules

Core Modules

• Introduction To World Archaeology (20 credits)
• Gaeilge 1 (40 credits)
• Thinking through Things Theorizing Global Archaeology (20 credits)
• Gaeilge 2 (40 credits)
• Gaeilge 3 (40 credits)
• Independent Project (20 credits)
• Archaeology/Palaeoecology Dissertation (40 credits)

Optional Modules

• Archaeological Excavation (20 credits)
• Nualitríocht na Gaeilge ó 1916 go dtí an lá inniu (20 credits)
• Language Politics and Conflict (20 credits)
• Environmental Change: past, present and future (20 credits)
• Europe in Prehistory (20 credits)
• Themes in Historical Archaeology (20 credits)
• Ancient Humans and Landscapes (20 credits)
• Celtic Mythology (20 credits)
• Archaeology in Practice (20 credits)
• The Archaeology of Islands (Residential Fieldtrip Module) (20 credits)
• Cearta an Duine agus Nualitríocht na Gaeilge (20 credits)
• Palaeoenvironmental Techniques (20 credits)
• From St Patrick to the Plantation: The Archaeology of Historic Ireland (20 credits)
• Kings and Warriors (20 credits)
• Ireland in Prehistory (20 credits)
• Scottish Gaelic Language 1 (20 credits)
• An Gearrscéal sa Ghaeilge (20 credits)
• Gairmeacha le Gaeilge (20 credits)
• An Béal Beo (20 credits)
• The Archaeology of Ancient Greece (Residential Fieldtrip Module) (20 credits)
• Digital Archaeology: Engagement and Interpretation (20 credits)
• Volcanoes: environmental and societal impacts (20 credits)
• Society, Death and Disease (20 credits)
• Nuafhilíocht na Gaeilge (20 credits)
• Language and Literature in the Gaelic World (20 credits)
• Critical Thinking and the Past (20 credits)

Entry Requirements

• ABB including Irish
• 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.
• H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H3 in Irish
• A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree, provided any subject requirement is also met
• All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Careers

• Studying for an Archaeology and Irish degree at Queen’s will assist students in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.
• Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including Archaeology and Irish.
• Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in archaeology-related areas (town and country planning, environmental impact, Land and Property Services [formerly Ordnance Survey]) and/or in the Irish- language sector, significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors.

Fees and Funding

• Northern Ireland (NI) £4,855
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) £4,855
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB) £9,535
• EU Other £22,400
• International £22,400
• The cost of travel and entrance fees for one-day or half-day field trips across all academic years is included in the course fee, but students are expected to pay for subsistence costs.
• Students participating in the four-week field excavation module at Stage 1 are expected to supply their own waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear.
• At Stage 2 students may choose optional modules that have associated field trips costs ranging from £50 - £500. Alternative non-field based options are available at no cost.

Apply

• Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
• The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2026 is Wednesday 14 January 2026 (18:00).
• Applications from UK and EU (Republic of Ireland) students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen’s for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2026) subject to the availability of places.
• Applications from International and EU (Other) students are normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2026.