Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Applied Archaeology

Course Summary

The BSc (Honours) (Level 8) in Applied Archaeology is a four-year degree in Irish Archaeology. The first two years focus in developing your knowledge of the main archaeological periods and introducing key skills that are used by archaeologists, including archaeological surveying and excavation. The emphasis in the third year is on adding more specialised skills and knowledge including archaeological materials, project management and modules to develop skills in communicating archaeological information both to the public and other archaeologists. In the final year, more specialised courses are undertaken, but, most importantly, the students complete their own research project. This can be in any area of archaeology, and examples have included experimental projects to recreate a Viking house or to tan leather, analysis of archaeological glass, examining the acoustics of megalithic tombs and carrying out geophysical surveys of monuments. Students are fully supported and guided in these projects by an experienced team of staff.

If you have an interest in how people lived in the past, enjoy working outdoors and indoors and would like to work in a challenging and rewarding field, this is the ideal course for you. This course covers in detail the past 10,000 years of human activity in Ireland, ranging from the nomadic hunter-gatherers of the Mesolithic Era through to the industrial archaeology of the 18th and 19th centuries within a wider European context. It includes a strong practical element and, given the sites of archaeological interest in the West of Ireland, Sligo is an ideal location for this course. It is exciting and innovative and offers outdoor fieldwork with sound classroom and laboratory-based study.
 

The archaeology courses are staffed by a core of highly skilled, experienced archaeologists supported by a range of specialists in areas of science and transferable skills. We are firmly committed to excellence in teaching and research, aiming to strike a balance between theory and practice.  All our core archaeologists have considerable experience in both the commercial and academic archaeology sectors, while our specialist academic staff support the programme with in-depth scientific expertise.  Many of our staff are members of the Centre for Environmental Research, Innovation and Sustainability.

We also offer Level 6 Higher Certificate and Level 7 BSc full-time archaeology degrees as well as part-time online courses for Irish/EU students and for US/Worldwide students.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at IT Sligo are available for download below:

• Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
• Download Entry requirements for all programmes

A science subject is not a requirement for this course.

We also offer Level 6 Higher Certificate and Level 7 BSc full-time archaeology degrees as well as part-time online courses for Irish/EU students and for US/Worldwide students.

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities

On completion of the BSc. (Hons) in Applied Archaeology you will be a fully qualified Archaeologist. Graduates from the programme work in a wide variety of workplace sectors including:

• Archaeological excavation and fieldwork
• Archaeological surveying
• Museums
• Local Government (County Councils and Corporations)
• Civil Service (National Monuments Service)
• Conservation (Historic Buildings + Artefacts)
• Cultural Tourism and Heritage Management
• Lecturing at third level
• Research posts

Graduates can also choose to continue their studies to post-graduate Masters or PhD level.

We also offer Level 6 Higher Certificate and Level 7 BSc full-time archaeology degrees as well as part-time online courses for Irish/EU students and for US/Worldwide students.

Further Study

Further study

Graduates of the BSc. (Honours) Applied Archaeology (Level 8) can choose to progress to postgraduate study at Masters or PhD level.

We also offer Level 6 Higher Certificate and Level 7 BSc full-time archaeology degrees as well as part-time online courses for Irish/EU students and for US/Worldwide students.

Testimonials

We think we have the best archaeology courses in Ireland, but don’t just take our word for it – hear what others have to say!  

“I have had the absolute pleasure of working in the field with graduates from IT Sligo’s Applied Archaeology programme on numerous occasions. It is instantly recognisable that these graduates have practical skills and training that is miles ahead of the norm.  Their knowledge, skills and attitude set them in a league of their own.” (Jean O’Dowd, Commercial Excavation Director)

“On my first commercial dig alone of the 15 archaeologists on site, 8 were IT Sligo graduates. On my most recent dig in Wales of the 10 archaeologists, 4 were IT Sligo. For anyone who is considering a career in archaeology, IT Sligo should be the first port of call.” (Aidan Keogh, graduate) 

“Our training excavation was one of the best experiences I ever had and it made me realise that this was the life for me so I was even more determined to learn and finish the course. The Applied Archaeology course not only taught me Archaeology and Science, it also taught me to not be afraid of new experiences and not to be afraid of taking chances.” (Ana Filipa Castanheira Santos, graduate)

“Most colleges will offer archaeology as part of an arts degree but when I left school I was looking some something more science based with a big emphasis on practical experience and I was not disappointed by the course in Sligo. I managed to get commercial excavation work for three full summers while in college. I’ve worked for 10 different companies on a variety of project types. So far I’ve worked on some very interesting sites, met some wonderful people and seen a lot of the countryside.” (Marese Curtin, graduate)

“As a graduate working in archaeology, I know from experience that this course is not only the best equipped in Ireland for working in commercial archaeology but it also prepares its students for the reality of the working world in archaeology. If your intention is to work in archaeology in Ireland, this course is the one for you. All of my employers would agree, IT Sligo produces the best site assistants in Ireland.” (William O’Siorain, graduate)

“Studying archaeology at IT Sligo for me meant getting the best possible education for my chosen career in an inclusive, friendly and encouraging atmosphere. At all times, I could rely on the support of my fellow archaeology students and the guidance of IT Sligo’s experienced archaeology lecturers.” (Sinead Middleton, graduate and MSc graduate)

We also offer Level 6 Higher Certificate and Level 7 BSc full-time archaeology degrees as well as part-time online courses for Irish/EU students and for US/Worldwide students.

Did you know?

We also offer Level 6 Higher Certificate and Level 7 BSc full-time archaeology degrees as well as part-time online courses for Irish/EU students and for US/Worldwide students.

Alumni

We also offer Level 6 Higher Certificate and Level 7 BSc full-time archaeology degrees as well as part-time online courses for Irish/EU students and for US/Worldwide students.

Programme Fees

We also offer Level 6 Higher Certificate and Level 7 BSc full-time archaeology degrees as well as part-time online courses for Irish/EU students and for US/Worldwide students.

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8