Arts and Science courses

About Archaeology - Archaeological Excavation (ma) in University College Cork

The MA in Archaeological Excavation is a one-year taught course, offered on a full-time basis by the Department of Archaeology. Excavation is central to the practice of archaeology as an academic and professional discipline, with many employment opportunities in Ireland and abroad. This course will provide advanced training in the theory and practice of excavation, and specifically:

• develop a critical understanding of the role of excavation in world archaeology, with particular reference to professional practice in Ireland
• teach research and organisational skills appropriate to the design and execution of archaeological excavation projects to a high standard
• combine academic knowledge and technical training in different areas of current practice, including pre-excavation survey, excavation strategy and methods, and post-excavation analysis.

The course will provide a strong foundation for students who wish to develop a professional career in archaeological excavation, or find employment in areas where a critical understanding of excavation is essential.

The MA is designed to achieve a desirable balance between classroom teaching and field training, covering both academic and technical areas of archaeological excavation. The course includes five taught modules, a four-week training excavation and the submission of a research dissertation.

Modules (90 credits):

Why Choose This Course

This is the only English-language, taught master’s course in Europe that offers dedicated training in archaeological excavation. The course addresses a significant demand for archaeologists to work in the commercial excavation sector.

Skills and Careers Information

On completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Apply for excavation licences in Ireland
• Carry out historical research & cartographic analysis in advance of archaeological excavation
• Survey archaeological sites in advance of excavation, including both surface mapping & geophysical prospection
• Identify & organise the resources required to conduct an archaeological excavation
• Design excavation strategies appropriate to different types of archaeological site & different excavation circumstance
• Develop the basic skills required to carry out an archaeological excavation
• Work effectively as part of an excavation team, & acquire management skills
• Identify & assess the range of research carried out at the post-excavation stage
• Write preliminary & final excavation reports, as well as related specialist reports
• Acquire specialist skills in computing & information technology relevant to archaeological excavation
• Compile excavation archives
• Communicate the results of archaeological excavation to a specialist & non-specialist audience
• Design & implement conservation works connected to public presentation & long-term preservation of archaeological sites
• Transfer a range of critical learning & writing skills, as well as IT training & practical experience, to other employment areas

Academic qualification equivalents

• Applicants should have an honours degree in a related subject.
• Indian applicants will normally be required to achieve a first class/first division mark in their undergraduate programme at a good institution of higher education in India. At the discretion of academic departments, students with degrees awarded by top universities such as the University of Mumbai, University of Delhi, University of Calcutta, and the University of Pune, may be accepted with high second class/high second division marks. 

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.5  Minimum individual sections 5.5
• TOEFL: TOEFL 90  Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing 17
• PTE: 63 Minimum individual sections 51

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