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Archaeology Grad Dip

London, Bloomsbury

The Archaeology Graduate Diploma at UCL is fully integrated within the teaching programme of the Institute of Archaeology. The programme offers an education in all major aspects of archaeology, in a challenging yet supportive environment, under the supervision of teachers actively engaged in research at the forefront of the field.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£9,400
£4,700
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
£23,400
£11,700
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 17 Oct 2022 – 30 Jun 2023
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a non-archaeology subject from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

By the end of the programme, students will have developed an understanding of past societies within their cultural, socio-political, economic, historical and environmental contexts, as well as the current social and political context of archaeology, with particular reference to the management, interpretation and presentation of archaeological heritage. Depending on their choice of optional modules, students will also have gained knowledge and understanding of specific topics.

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for students who already have a first degree in a non-archaeology subject who wish to obtain a graduate archaeology qualification, either as a stand-alone Graduate Diploma, or in preparation for an MA degree.
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The UCL Institute of Archaeology is the largest and one of the most highly regarded centres for archaeology, archaeological science, cultural heritage and museum studies in Britain, as evidenced by its leading position in university league tables and National Student Survey results.

Its outstanding archaeological library is complemented by the UCL Main Library, University of London Senate House, and other specialist libraries.

UCL is located in central London, within walking distance of the British Museum and the British Library. Students benefit from London's many museums and galleries and other archaeological spaces, but in particular have easy access to UCL's own museums and collections, which form a resource of international importance for academic research.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Employability

The programme provides a solid foundation for students whose first degree is in a non-archaeology subject and who wish to pursue graduate studies (MA and higher) in archaeology and develop their own interests, which they will also pursue at graduate level. The diploma is also designed to provide an academic qualification in archaeology for students wishing to explore employment opportunities in the field.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, museum visits and laboratory classes.

The majority of modules are assessed by coursework. The compulsory module, Interpreting Archaeological Evidence, involves one unseen examination. Any language module that students may choose will also be assessed by examinations.

The core courses involve two hours of lectures per week during teaching weeks and an additional hour long class every other week. Option courses may also have practical sessions or site/museum visits. Otherwise time is spent in independent study.

Modules

Teaching takes place in terms 1 and 2. You will take two compulsory modules that provide a grounding in archaeological theory and the interpretation of archaeological data and evidence. You will also select 90 credits of optional modules from the list available to BA/BSc students in the year (or two years if you are part-time) in which you are taking the programme, according to your own particular interests.

Part-time students take four 15-credit modules in Year 1, and four 15-credit modules in Year 2. Part-time students normally take both compulsory modules (Current Issues in Archaeological Theory and Interpreting Archaeological Evidence) in Year 1. Students will select 90 credits of optional modules from the list available to BA/BSc students, spread across the two year part-time programme duration.

Compulsory modules




Optional modules




Roman Britain: History and Archaeology



Zooarchaeology

Early Medieval Archaeology of Britain A


Advanced Field Techniques



Archaeological Ceramics

Maya Civilization

Lithic Technology

Ancient Societies of Amazonia

Art and Archaeology of Early Imperial China

The Archaeology of the Levant

The Late Bronze Age Aegean in the Mediterranean

Iron Age Europe

Old and Middle Egyptian Texts

The Neolithic of Europe


The Islamic World in the Global Age 900-1400


Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 120 credits. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a Grad Dip in Archaeology.

Fieldwork

There is no fieldwork element in this programme but students may have the opportunity to take part in the Institute of Archaeology summer field training course if they wish to do so.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) £9,400 £4,700
Tuition fees (2023/24) £23,400 £11,700

Additional costs

Graduate Diploma students have the possibility of taking part in the Institute of Archaeology's summer term field training course, held at a site in southern England. This involves extra costs of approximately £250-350 to cover food and travel.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Aziz Foundation Scholarships in Social and Historical Sciences

Value: Full tuition fees (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Heritage and Museums Opportunity Scholarship

Deadline: 1 March 2023
Value: Full UK Home Fees (1yr)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: UK

Institute of Archaeology International Masters Student Award

Deadline: 1 March 2023
Value: Up to £26,000 (1yr)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Archaeology at graduate level
  • why you want to study Archaeology at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging academic environment
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2023-2024

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Institute of Archaeology
Institute of Archaeology

l.daniel@ucl.ac.uk

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