BSc Archaeology-Palaeoecology
About this course
BSc in Archaeology-Palaeoecology, an undergraduate degree combining the scientific study of past human activity with environmental reconstruction and landscape analysis. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Critical & Analytical Thinking. The curriculum involves practical excavation work and concludes with a substantial dissertation project or independent project. The first year introduces environmental change, world archaeology, archaeological excavation, and earth systems, with optional modules covering European prehistory and historical archaeology. The second year advances into theoretical approaches, palaeoenvironmental techniques, and excavation practice, alongside optional choices such as prehistoric Ireland, historic Ireland, landscapes and GIS, archaeological practice, and cultural heritage management. The final year focuses on independent research through a dissertation or independent project, complemented by optional modules in geoforensics, society, death and disease, volcanic impacts, early medieval kingship and religion, critical thinking, and the archaeology of ancient Greece.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBB + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 IB: 32 points overall, including 6,5,5 at Higher Level + If not offered at Higher Level/GCSE, then Standard Level grade 4 in Mathematics.
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 94%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 100%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 150 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 27 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Who gets in
Based on about 135 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 100%
Modules
- Environmental Change: past, present and future
- Introduction To World Archaeology
- Archaeological Excavation
- Earth Systems
- Europe in Prehistory
- Themes in Historical Archaeology
- Archaeological Excavation
- Thinking through Things Theorizing Global Archaeology
- Palaeoenvironmental Techniques
- Ireland in Prehistory
- From St Patrick to the Plantation: The Archaeology of Historic Ireland
- Landscapes and Geographical Information (GIS)
- Archaeology in Practice
- Cultural Heritage Management Practice
- Archaeology/Palaeoecology Dissertation
- Independent Project
- Geoforensics
- Society, Death and Disease
- Volcanoes: environmental and societal impacts
- Kingship and Religion in the First Millennium AD
- Critical Thinking and the Past
- The Archaeology of Ancient Greece (Residential Fieldtrip Module)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Archaeology-Palaeoecology at Queen's University Belfast earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months. After fifteen months the middle half of graduates earn between £22,000 and £31,000. The £28,000 median after fifteen months is £3,000 more than the UK median for Archaeology.
What do graduates of BSc Archaeology-Palaeoecology at Queen's University Belfast do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Archaeology-Palaeoecology at Queen's University Belfast?
100% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Archaeology-Palaeoecology at Queen's University Belfast?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 136 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BSc Archaeology-Palaeoecology at Queen's University Belfast?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.