University College London (UCL)
Archaeology Grad Dip
London, United Kingdom
Graduate Diploma
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 26,500 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international students: full time £26,500 - part-time £13,250/year | UK students: full time £10,700 - part-time £5,350/year. Additional fees may apply
The Archaeology Graduate Diploma offers a flexible and focused way for students to deepen their understanding of archaeology without committing to a full master's degree. It covers a range of topics like archaeological methods, cultural heritage, and ancient societies, allowing students to gain practical skills and theoretical knowledge. The program is designed for those who want to strengthen their background in archaeology, whether they’re planning to continue into further study or simply want to enhance their professional skills.
The program is made up of taught modules that provide a solid foundation in key areas of archaeology. Students also have the option to choose specialist subjects, giving them the chance to explore areas like material culture or heritage management in more detail. Support is available from experienced tutors, and students can benefit from the institution’s strong connections with archaeological projects and organizations. This setup aims to make the learning experience relevant, practical, and accessible for anyone interested in archaeology or related fields.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
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.
Contact time takes various forms:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Practical sessions or site/museum visits
- Assessment feedback sessions
The credit value of the module indicates the total learning hours you will spend to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is often equated to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.
The contact hours per module are normally around 2-3 hours a week with additional self-directed study time. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.
Modules
Full-time
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 second and third year undergraduate 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
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
- Current Issues in Archaeological Theory
- Interpreting Archaeological Evidence
Optional modules
- Public Archaeology
- Applications of Archaeological Science
- Introduction to Ancient Egyptian Language
- Roman Britain: History and Archaeology
- Greek Art and Architecture
- Roman Art and Architecture
- Zooarchaeology
- Early Medieval Archaeology of Britain A
- Archaeological Surveying
- Advanced Field Techniques
- Archaeological Photography
- Archaeological Illustration and Imaging
- 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
- Current Issues in Nile Valley Archaeology
- 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 compulsory fieldwork element in this programme. However, students will have the opportunity to participate in voluntary activities such as the Institute’s summer field training course.
What this course will give you
UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest centres for archaeology in Britain and is ranked 3rd in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2024. It brings archaeology, cultural heritage, and museum studies together under one roof, making it a special and exciting place to study.
This programme offers you many benefits and opportunities:
- Learn from leading experts in their fields.
- Use of the Institute’s exceptional laboratories, equipment, archives, and teaching collections.
- Proximity to the British Museum and the British Library, as well as UCL’s Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.
The foundation of your career
Many graduates go on to enrol for Master's degrees in archaeology at UCL. You will also have skills well-suited for jobs in sectors such as:
- Archaeology within Higher Education, museums, and private companies
- Environmental and sustainability sector
- Journalism
- Civil Service
- Tourism and heritage management
Employability
The diploma will give students who do not have an undergraduate degree in archaeology the necessary theoretical background to proceed to Graduate study.
Networking
The institute organises an annual "Careers in Ruins" event. Here, students can get career advice from professionals in the Heritage and Archaeology sectors. They can also network with professionals from other sectors such as Business, Law and the Civil Service. Many of our alumni also return as guest lecturers on core modules and seminars.