Program Overview

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Anthropology and Archaeology

Overview

This mutually enriching Joint Honours programme equips students in identifying historical and contemporary patterns of social organisation, human-environment relationships, ethnic and cultural divisions, varieties of inequality, and patterns of change over time across diverse societies. Anthropology is the study of human diversity around the world and studying Anthropology together with Archaeology allows students to develop an understanding of how this diversity has changed over long periods.

Course Structure

This programme is designed to provide students with training in Anthropology and Archaeology. The programme allows students to delve into each discipline's unique body of knowledge, subject matter, and research skills.

Stage 1

Themes covered in Stage 1 include what it is that makes us human, looking at evolution, culture and society, and also provide students with a general 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 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)
• Being Human: Culture and Society (20 credits)
• Key Debates in Anthropology (20 credits)
• Thinking through Things Theorizing Global Archaeology (20 credits)

Optional Modules

• Environmental Change: past, present and future (20 credits)
• Us And them: Why do we have ingroups and outgroups? (20 credits)
• Archaeological Excavation (20 credits)
• Ancient Humans and Landscapes (20 credits)
• Themes in Historical Archaeology (20 credits)
• Being Creative: Music Media and the Arts (20 credits)
• A World on the Move:Historical and Anthropological Approaches to Globalization (20 credits)
• Europe in Prehistory (20 credits)
• 'Understanding Northern Ireland: History, Politics and Anthropology' (20 credits)
• Anthropology of Media (20 credits)
• Human Morality (20 credits)
• The Archaeology of Islands (Residential Fieldtrip Module) (20 credits)
• Hanging out on Street Corners: Creative, Public and applied Anthropology (20 credits)
• Northern Ireland: Past, Present and Future (20 credits)
• Apocalypse: Cultures, communities, and the end of the world (20 credits)
• Skills in the Field: Ethnographic methods (20 credits)
• Ireland in Prehistory (20 credits)
• From St Patrick to the Plantation: The Archaeology of Historic Ireland (20 credits)
• Palaeoenvironmental Techniques (20 credits)
• Archaeology in Practice (20 credits)
• Remembering the Future: Violent Pasts, Loss and the Politics of Hope (20 credits)
• The Archaeology of Ancient Greece (Residential Fieldtrip Module) (20 credits)
• Anthropology and Roma (20 credits)
• Music, Power and Conflict (20 credits)
• Critical Thinking and the Past (20 credits)
• Anthropology Dissertation (40 credits)
• Archaeology/Palaeoecology Dissertation (40 credits)
• Society, Death and Disease (20 credits)
• Independent Project (20 credits)
• In Gods We Trust: The New Anthropology of Religion (20 credits)
• The Politics of Performance: From Negotiation to Display (20 credits)

People teaching you

• Dr Ioannis Tsioulakis
• Dr William Megarry

Contact Teaching Hours

• Medium Group Teaching: 33 (hours maximum)
• In addition to the direct teaching hours per module, each student will normally be expected to spend approximately 80 hours on individual study time per 20 CATs module.

Learning and Teaching

• The teaching and learning methods in this course vary with the module being taught, the overall aims of the module and the balance between theory and practice.
• These methods may include lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, problem-centred techniques such as case studies, computer/software practical demonstrations and applications, non-book media (videos and podcasts), individual research, oral presentations, group projects, field visits and practitioner workshops.

Assessment

• A variety of assessment methods are used throughout the programme
• 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.

Feedback

• As students progress through their course at Queen’s, they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study, external examiners and peers.
• University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work.

Entrance requirements

• ABB
• 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 grade A at A-Level and a Distinction being equated to a grade B at A-level.
• Successful completion of Access Course with an average of 70%.
• 33 points overall, including 6,5,5 at Higher Level
• QCF BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits at Level 3) with overall grades D*DD
• RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 GLH at Level 3) with overall grades D*DD
• A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree

How we choose our students

• Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by individual University Schools.
• 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.

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.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI) 1: £4,855
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2: £4,855
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1: £9,535
• EU Other 3: £22,400
• International: £22,400

Additional course costs

• Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
• Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library.
• If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100.
• Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

How do I fund my study?

• There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.
• Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at scholarships/.

Scholarships

• Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

• Information on scholarships for international students, is available at

Career Prospects

Employment after the Course

• Studying for an Anthropology and Archaeology 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.
• Anthropology and Archaeology graduates have successfully pursued careers in the following areas: consultancy, the civil service, development, NGO work, international policy, the public sector, journalism and the media, community work, creative industries, performance, heritage, museums, tourism, market research, teaching in schools and academic teaching and research.

Employment Links

• Typical companies looking for graduates in this field:
• National Trust
• Local Councils
• National Heritage organisations
• Governmental Bodies
• NGOs
• Intergovernmental organisations who may seek expertise about heritage & tourism, human behaviour and responses to major world challenges, such as endemic poverty, climate change and global health.

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

• In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills.
• For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more.
• So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall.
• We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award.
• It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

How to 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).
• Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at:
• The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2026 is Wednesday 14 January 2026 (18:00).
• This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.
• 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.
• If you apply for 2026 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.
• Applications from International and EU (Other) students are normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2026.
• If you apply for 2026 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Terms and Conditions

• The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
• Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students

• Applying through UCAS
• Applying direct
• Applying through agents and partners
• Download Undergraduate Prospectus

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