Archaeology - Buildings Archaeology - Sligo
The aim of our blended Certificate in Buildings Archaeology (Level 7) is to provide an introduction to historic building recording and conservation in Ireland over the course of three, 13 week modules.
| Award Name | Special Purpose Certificate (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Special Purpose |
| Awarding Body | Atlantic Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Purpose Certificate (Level 7 NFQ) | Special Purpose | Atlantic Technological University | Level 7 NFQ |
Duration
1 year part-time, blended.
Recommended Study Hours per week
Live online lectures will take place between 7-9pm one night per week (Module 1) and between 12 noon and 2pm on Fridays weekly (Module 2) in Semester 1. Live online lectures will take place between 7-9pm one evening per week in Semester 2 (Module 3). Independent study will require 5-6 hours per week per module.
On-Campus Attendance Requirement
Semester 1 (Sept-December) will require 4 consecutive in-person days on the Sligo campus, where practicals will be conducted in both urban and rural areas of County Sligo.
Note: Check programme Examination and Assessment requirements, as they may involve examinations to be taken on campus.
Entry Requirements
Students will require an existing Level 6 qualification, or the equivalent in lived experience to secure entry. It is not essential to have a basic grounding in archaeology or built heritage but it is advantageous.
Careers / Further progression
Progression
Graduates may progress to another Level 6 or Level 7 SPA programme.
The following archaeology programmes are currently offered by ATU Sligo:
SG_SARCH_S06 , SPA Archaeological Excavation and Post-Excavation , L6 , ECTS 10
SG_SARCI_S06 , SPA Archaeological Excavation and Post-Excavation (International) , L6 , ECTS 12
SG_SARCJ_S06 , SPA Archaeological Field Studies (International), L6 , ECTS 18
SG_SINTR_S06 , SPA Introduction to Irish Archaeology , L6 , ECTS 15
SG_SPREH_S06 , SPA Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland and Europe , L6 , ECTS 15
SG_SIRIS_S06 , SPA Irish Medieval History and Archaeology , L6 , ECTS 15
SG_SINTR_S07 , SPA Introduction to Archaeological Interpretation , L7 , ECTS 15
SG_SRITU_S07 , SPA Ritual and Meaning in Archaeology , L7 , ECTS 15
SG_SBUIN_S07 , SPA Buildings Archaeology (Online), L7 , ECTS 15
SG_SBUIM_S07 , SPA Buildings Archaeology (Blended) , L7 , ECTS 15
For further information, please visit Archaeology at ATU.
Careers
The Certificate in Buildings Archaeology will be of benefit to owners, or prospective owners and occupiers, of historic buildings who wish to understand the guiding conservation principles and practice utilised in the research, recording, reuse and restoration of the historic built environment in Ireland.
This SPA will also be of benefit to local authority staff, other practicing professionals (archaeologists, architects, engineers, planners) and members of archaeological and historical societies who wish to develop and refresh their skill sets on the historic built environment.
The Certificate will be of benefit to those who currently work in the national and international tourist market and wish to upskill, including tourist bus drivers/guides, those in cultural heritage tourism, those who run their own tourism companies or heritage centres, and those who working with local community groups on heritage tourism and/or heritage education.
This SPA will also cater to the general public not desiring credits, both national and international, with an interest in archaeological and architectural stone monuments and historic buildings in Ireland.
Graduates of this SPA may find work as guides or volunteers in historic houses/castles, local museums and heritage centres or as guides on OPW sites. Graduates may also work as General Operatives or volunteers on research excavations and as General Operatives or volunteers on commercial excavations.
Further information
Start Date September 2025
Total Fees €1,500
Flexible learning courses are popular, and they fill on a first come, first served basis. There are two major intake periods throughout the academic year, September and January.
For January start courses, applications typically open in October, and for September start courses, applications typically open in February. Closing dates for applications are listed on the individual course webpage.
The aim of our blended Certificate in Buildings Archaeology (Level 7) is to provide an introduction to historic building recording and conservation in Ireland over the course of three, 13 week modules. The aim of this programme is that participants will understand the evidence for medieval and post medieval settlement forms in Ireland and be able to demonstrate knowledge of material construction, architectural styles and the mechanisms of decay and deterioration across a range of building types and monument forms.
Students will be familiar with the origins and philosophy behind historic building conservation, be cognisant of the legislative protection underpinning their conservation and apply the principles of best conservation practice. Participants learn to evaluate vulnerabilities in historic monuments and stone buildings and be able to apply a methodological approach to assessing stone monuments and ruinous buildings in Ireland.
There is currently a shortage of skilled personnel in recording historic built heritage in Ireland and this programme meets this immediate demand.
This is the only blended Level 7 Certificate in Buildings Archaeology programme in Ireland.
Programme structure
This certificate course will be delivered by Dr Shirley Markley.
The Level 7 Certificate in Buildings Archaeology is designed to provide the learner with a comprehensive introduction to the methodological approach in recording, researching, describing and evaluating historic monuments and ruinous buildings across medieval and post medieval Ireland in line with international standards, principals and best conservation practice. Only accurate recording can inform appropriate historic building conservation.
This 15-credit course comprises 3 modules, taught online and in person over 1 year.
These modules include:
Module 1-Constructing The Past-The Archaeology of medieval and post medieval settlement in Ireland AD400-1900. (Taught in Semester 1)
Module 2-Historic Buildings: Origins, Principles and Recording, taught in Semester 1.
Module 3-Historic Buildings-Conservation and Practice taught in Semester 2.
Who Should Apply?
This unique Certificate in Buildings Archaeology is suitable for people who want to upskill in this area and are working/interested in the below:
Practising professionals (archaeologists, county heritage officers, county conservation officers, architects, engineers, local authority staff i.e. roads, planners, housing, waterways) who wish to gain CPD.
Owners, or prospective owners, of historic buildings (Listed Protected Structures) who wish to understand the guiding conservation principles and practice utilised in the research, recording, reuse and restoration of the historic built environment in Ireland.
Members of archaeological and historical societies who wish to broaden their knowledge.
Individuals who wish to build towards a degree and/or career in archaeology (such as Leaving Certificate students, recent school-leavers who are taking a gap year, those considering a career change).
Members of the general public, nationally and internationally, with an interest in archaeological and architectural stone monuments and historic buildings.
Non-nationals now working in Irish archaeology who wish to gain relevant background.
Professionals with a hobby interest in archaeology.
Overseas students seeking to gain transferable academic credit (15 credits is equivalent to 5 quarter credits in the US system).
Those living outside Ireland with an interest in all things Irish.
Semester Module Details Credits Mandatory / Elective
1 Constructing The Past: The Archaeology of Medieval and Post Medieval Settlement in Ireland AD400-190 05 Mandatory
1 Historic Buildings: Origins, Principles and Recording 05 Mandatory
2 Historic Buildings: Conservation and Practice 05 Mandatory
Examination and Assessment
All three modules will have 2 pieces of assessment, a combination of online Moodle tests, essays and building reports. There will be no formal exams.
Dr Shirley Markley
Course Co-ordinator
E: shirley.markley@atu.ie
Admissions Office
T: 353 (0) 71 931 8511
E: admissions.sligo@atu.ie
Online Student Advisor
Saoirse Kennedy
T: +353 71 930 5482
E: Saoirse.kennedy@atu.ie