Archaeology & Palaeoecology and Geography BSc (Hons)

Queen's University of Belfast

This course offers a Joint Honours degree programme examining the human past and the diverse environments human societies inhabit. The combined disciplines of Archaeology-Palaeoecology and Geography progressively develop general and specific knowledge and skills, through the examination of a broad range of archaeological, environmental and geographical evidence, via excavation, overseas fieldtrips and practical work. The course will provide you with an opportunity to pursue your interests in any time period and across different environmental and geographical settings, including hands-on experience in working with archaeological material and undertaking fieldwork. This is a very versatile degree which opens the door to a wide range of career options, including careers in teaching, commercial archaeology, museums, heritage management and many more, both within and beyond the heritage and environmental sectors.

World Class facilities

Students benefit from access to the internationally renowned 14CHRONO Centre for Radiocarbon Dating, the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork, departmental collections and laboratories for study of artefacts, human, animal and plant remains and other scientific materials and instruments, including access to GIS, laser scanning and specialist teaching laboratories. 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. The McClay Library also holds a wide collection of resources for the study of Palaeoecology, Physical and Human Geography.

Professional accreditation

This course includes a module pathway that is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK (UAUK). Students on that pathway can become student members of CIfA, providing you with access to their e-learning modules, specialist professional networks and details of jobs in the profession. All students on this degree programme also automatically gain student membership with the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, giving you access to further professional development resources and information of relevant job vacancies in the island of Ireland.

Degree supplements and study-abroad

Students enrolled on this course have the opportunity to undertake an optional additional year of study, which can either be spent studying abroad at one of Queen’s international partner institutions or on a UK or international work placement. Depending on the chosen option, students availing of the optional additional year will gain one of the following degree supplements: ‘BSc Archaeology-Palaeoecology and Geography with International Study’, ‘BSc Archaeology-Palaeoecology and Geography with Placement’, or ‘BSc Archaeology-Palaeoecology and Geography with International Placement’.

Accreditation by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), working in partnership with University Archaeology UK (UAUK), recognises academic programmes which provide students with appropriate workplace skills relevant to both a career in the historic environment and CIfA membership at Practitioner grade.