The MA in Archaeological Excavation is a full-time programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Applicants should hold a primary Degree or equivalent with a minimum of Second Class Honours in Archaeology. All applicants will be required to attend for interview. It is possible for students who have a primary degree in a cognate subject to undertake a Higher Diploma in Arts (Archaeology). This qualification (with a minimum final mark of 60%) will enable prospective students to apply for this MA programme; it will not, however, grant automatic entry to the MA programme.

In Semesters 1 and 2 students will be required to attend lectures, seminars, practicals and field trips for all taught modules. All students must attend a training excavation field school at the end of Semester 2. In Semesters 2 and 3 students will develop a particular topic into a 20,000-word dissertation. The dissertation is to be completed by the end of September of the first year from the date of first registration for the programme.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I
AR6004 Archaeological Excavation: Planning and Research Design (5 credits)
AR6005 Archaeological Excavation: Strategy and Practice (5 credits)
AR6006 Post-excavation Analysis and Interpretation (5 credits)
AR6007 Case Studies in Archaeological Excavation (10 credits)
AR6013 Archaeological Survey and Remote Sensing (5 credits)

Part II
AR6001 Dissertation in Archaeological Excavation (45 credits)
AR6008 Training Excavation (15 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2018/2019 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2018/2019.

Postgraduate Certificate in Archaeological Excavation
Candidates who pass at least 30 credits of taught modules may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Archaeological Excavation.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MA in Archaeological Excavation (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Understand the historical basis for current practice in archaeological excavation, as well as the legal framework in which this work is undertaken;
• Apply for excavation licences in Ireland, involving the preparation of site-appropriate research designs and method statements;
• Carry out historical research and cartographic analysis in advance of archaeological excavation;
• Survey archaeological sites in advance of excavation, including both surface mapping and geophysical prospection;
• Identify and organize the resources required to conduct an archaeological excavation, including financial and human resource management expertise;
• Design excavation strategies appropriate to different types of archaeological site and different excavation circumstances;
• Develop the basic skills required to carry out an archaeological excavation, including digging methods and recording systems;
• Work effectively as part of an excavation team, and acquire management skills necessary to direct or supervise these operations;
• Identify and assess the range of research carried out at the post-excavation stage, and liaise with specialists;
• Write preliminary and final excavation reports, as well as related specialist reports;
• Acquire specialist skills in computing and information technology relevant to archaeological excavation;
• Compile excavation archives;
• Communicate the results of archaeological excavation to a specialist and non-specialist audience using conventional print media and web-based delivery;
• Design and implement conservation works connected to public presentation and long-term preservation of archaeological sites;
• Transfer a range of critical learning and writing skills, as well as I.T. training and practical experience, to other employment areas.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Archaeological Excavation (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to

• Understand the historical basis for current practice in archaeological excavation, as well as the legal framework in which this work is undertaken;
• Carry out historical research and cartographic analysis in advance of archaeological excavation;
• Survey archaeological sites in advance of excavation, including both surface mapping and geophysical prospection;
• Identify and organize the resources required to conduct an archaeological excavation, including financial and human resource management expertise;
• Appreciate excavation strategies appropriate to different types of archaeological site and different excavation circumstances;
• Identify and assess the range of research carried out at the post-excavation stage;
• Communicate the results of archaeological excavation to a specialist and non-specialist audience using conventional print media and web-based delivery;
• Transfer a range of critical learning and writing skills, as well as I.T. training and practical experience, to other employment areas.