Ask Brian: What’s the best archaeology course available?

QUESTION: I am doing my Leaving Cert this year and have always wanted to be an archaeologist. I am particularly interested in excavating and finding out more information about archaeological artefacts. What is the best course available and can archaeology be done without studying other subjects? I have looked online and they all seem pretty similar. Should I look abroad?

ANSWER: Making a commitment to such a specific career decision at Leaving Cert level is a very big one. You should research all of the options listed below and, if possible, volunteer to assist in a dig next summer before you commit to a degree programme in September.

Archaeology is offered as an honours degree programme in UCD, UCC, NUIG and IT Sligo. In the universities, archaeology is studied as part of a three-year bachelor of arts degree. UCD offers the possibility of single-subject specialisation in archaeology in years two and three. Archaeology students in UCC  may take the subject on a single honours, major honours or joint honours basis in second and third year. NUIG offers archaeology only as part of joint honours degree with another subject, usually with geography or history. The first year in all three courses would comprise archaeology and three other subjects.

TCD offers a four-year honours BA in archaeology and ancient civilisations through its classics department; it is only offered as part of a joint honours degree with another subject. All of the universities offer a range of taught master’s and research degrees in archaeology

An alternative to the universities is the bachelor of science in applied archaeology offered at IT Sligo. It has a three-year level-seven BSc ordinary degree and a four-year level-eight BSc honours degree in addition to a two-year level-six higher certificate.

It offers a combination of archaeology and related science modules with an emphasis on practical experience. UCC also offers a BA in geographical and archaeological sciences, where students can study archeology in combination with scientific areas of geography, along with geology, botany, zoology and computer science.

The range of archaeological topics covered is extensive and practical, with many unique modules, such as geophysical surveying, forensic archaeology and archaeological scientific analysis.

The first year includes introductory chemistry and biology, although the science content in years two, three and four is more archaeologically focused. They also have a mandatory training excavation at the end of year 1. While the course covers all the aspects of archaeology periods as in the universities, it also provides skills in the analysis and conservation of archaeological artefacts. Check them out at http://itsligo.ie/study-at-it-sligo/undergraduate/archaeology/archaeology/.The course at IT Sligo has been running since 2003 and is for serious would-be archaeologists.

Archaeology is offered in Queen’s University Belfast and in most large universities in Britain, where there are many more options, although the higher fees may make these options prohibitive. It is also taught at many universities across Europe, although you should check the language requirements. In North America there appear to be few courses in archaeology alone, as it is considered a subdiscipline of anthropology.

Having researched your options fully and gained some practical experience, if you still want to be an archaeologist and to study only archaeology, consider the degrees offered at IT Sligo, especially if you are interested in the scientific or practical aspects of the discipline.

* This article was amended on 09/05/2017 to correct a factual error

• Your education queries answered. Email education expert Brian Mooney with your query: askbrian@irishtimes.com