Queen's University Belfast

Archaeology with Portuguese

Queen's University BelfastBelfast, United Kingdom

Course overview

This course offers a Single Honours Archaeology degree programme with an additional Portuguese language qualification. 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. In addition to progressively developing general and specific knowledge and skills in Archaeology, through excavation, fieldwork, overseas fieldtrips, laboratory and practical work, students on the Archaeology with Portuguese degree develop linguistic proficiency in Portuguese and analyse Lusophone cultures (literature, cinema, linguistics, art, history) in the broadest sense. Between Stages 2 and 3, students on this degree programme spend a year abroad in a Lusophone country, studying Archaeology at one of QUB's Lusophone partner institutions.

At present, for Archaeology this is the University of Coimbra, Portugal's oldest university, located in the heart of the country. 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, both within and beyond the heritage sector. As well as the BA degree programme in Archaeology with Portuguese, Queen's offers Single Honours degrees in Archaeology (BA) and Archaeology-Palaeoecology (BSc) along with other degree programmes which combine Archaeology (the study of past human activities) 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

  • Year abroad studying Archaeology at the University of Coimbra, Portugal
  • Hands-on excavation, fieldwork, laboratory work and overseas fieldtrips
  • Modules span World, European and Irish/British archaeology from human origins onwards
  • Build Portuguese language proficiency alongside study of Lusophone literature, cinema and art
  • Practical archaeology and heritage practice modules
  • Module pathway accredited by CIfA and University Archaeology UK available

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 £1,500
  • International 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 £1,500
  • LLB Senior Status International Scholarship

    Scholarships Value - £4000

    Up to £4,000
  • Queen's Loyalty Scholarship

    20% reduction on first year gross tuition fees.

    Up to 20% of fees
  • Queen’s Family Scholarship

    20% reduction on first year gross tuition fees.

    Up to 20% of fees
  • Royal Academy of Engineering: Engineering Leaders Scholarship Programme

    Funding Amount: £5000 - £10,000

    Up to £5,000
  • Vice 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
  • Heritage 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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