Archaeology BA
Queen's University BelfastBelfast, United Kingdom
Course overview
This course offers a Single Honours degree programme examining the human past from a broad humanities and social sciences perspective, including the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in working with archaeological material and undertaking fieldwork. Archaeology explores a wide range of evidence that documents the human past - from artefacts, monuments and settlements to entire landscapes - and from these interprets how societies have adapted and developed. Modules focus on different periods of World, European and Irish/British archaeology, from human origins to modern times and practical archaeology and heritage practice.
Queen's University Belfast is one of the best places to study Archaeology in the UK, second place for quality of teaching in the National Student Survey 2025 and second place for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2025. Studying Archaeology at Queen’s progressively develops general and specific knowledge and skills, through excavation, fieldwork, overseas fieldtrips, laboratory and practical work. A wide range of career options are available to our graduates, including careers in commercial archaeology, survey, heritage management and many more, both within and beyond the heritage sector.
As well as the Single Honours BA in Archaeology and BSc in Archaeology-Palaeoecology, Queen's offers several degrees which combine Archaeology (the study of past human activities) and Palaeoecology (the study of past environments) with other subjects (Languages, Geography, Anthropology and History). All of those Single Honours and Joint Honours degrees offer a module pathway that is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK (UAUK).
Key highlights
- Module pathway accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and UAUK
- Hands-on experience with archaeological material and fieldwork
- Excavation, laboratory and practical work build skills progressively
- Overseas fieldtrips form part of the learning
- Modules span World, European and Irish/British archaeology
- Covers human origins to modern times plus heritage practice
Entry requirements
- A-level: BBB — BBB
Scholarships
County Antrim Grand Jury Bursary
Approximately £1500 depending on funding available.
Early Confirmation Award
Funding Amount - £1500
Up to £1,500International Undergraduate Scholarships
This award is £3500 (fee rate 1) for first year of study; £4000 (fee rate 2) for first year of study.
INTO Progressors Scholarship
£1500 reduction in tuition fees for first year of study.
Up to £1,500LLB Senior Status International Scholarship
Scholarships Value - £4000
Up to £4,000Queen's Loyalty Scholarship
20% reduction on first year gross tuition fees.
Up to 20% of feesQueen’s Family Scholarship
20% reduction on first year gross tuition fees.
Up to 20% of feesRoyal Academy of Engineering: Engineering Leaders Scholarship Programme
Funding Amount: £5000 - £10,000
Up to £5,000Vice Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship - Undergraduate
50% reduction on full tuition fees paid for all years of a programme, up to a maximum of four years (including advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3).
Up to 50% of fees
Careers this course leads to
- Commercial archaeologist
- Archaeological surveyor
- Heritage manager
- Field archaeologist
- Museum curator
- Historic environment officer
Cost of study
UK/Home: £4,985 (NI/ROI), £9,790 (GB) | International: £24,600
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Queen's University Belfast, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
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