Certificate in Buildings Archaeology (Online)

Course Summary

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.

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.

There is currently a shortage of skilled personnel in recording historic built heritage in Ireland and this programme meets this immediate demand. 

Other archaeology certificate courses you may be interested in: https://www.atu.ie/flexible-learning-courses-in-archaeology

This certificate course will be delivered by Dr Shirley Markley.

Key Course Information

Our online Certificate in Buildings Archaeology (Level 7) will comprise three modules, each worth 5 credits, which will provide an overview of the methodological approach to historic building recording and the principles guiding building conservation in Ireland. This course will suit anyone with a desire to broaden their knowledge of researching and recording historic buildings and understand the issues in their conservation.

This programme will be delivered fully online over the course of one academic year.
There are three modules in this Certificate. Two modules will be taught in semester one commencing in September each year with the third and final module taught in semester two, commencing in January each year.

In semester one, module one will be taught online live one evening per week and module two will be taught live online during the day (lunchtime).
Each live class in Moodle will be two hours. Live classes will be taught at the same time for each relevant module per week.

In semester two, module three will be taught online live one evening per week in a two hour lecture. All live classes are recorded with recordings placed in Moodle for students to revise/rewatch weekly. PDFs of lecture material will be provided in Moodle.

The Moodle programme page will provide information on the scheduled class times with links to the meetings rooms for live weekly lectures. It will provide access to ancillary reading material where required, general information about the module as well as assignment details.

Live Lectures: Each of the three online modules on our Level 7 Certificate in Buildings Archaeology will entail 2 hours of lecturing per week. The live lectures will be recorded and made available on the module Moodle pages, in addition to power points and additional reading material. Students should set aside 5-6 study hours per week per 5 credit module.

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.

Student Skills Learnt: The aim of this special purpose award 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 settlement forms. Students should show competency in approaching, recording, researching and describing historic buildings. 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 should demonstrate knowledge of the methodological approach to assessing stone monuments and ruinous buildings In Ireland, evaluate their vulnerabilities and explain the mechanisms of their deterioration.

Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025

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. Please contact the Course Coordinator, Dr Shirley Markley - shirley.markley@atu.ie if you have any questions.

Career Opportunities

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 Study

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.

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fees

Total Programme Fees: €1,500

To help make the payment of fees more manageable for students who are self-funding their studies, tuition fees can be paid through payment instalment plans at ATU Sligo. For further information on instalment plans, please visit our Fees and Funding webpage. 

If you apply and are approved for an online course at ATU Sligo, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €250 to secure your place. Your deposit will then be credited against the course fees once you are registered as a student. Students at ATU Sligo are also eligible to claim tax relief at the standard rate for tuition fees.

For further information and guidance about Fees and Funding for online and part-time courses at ATU Sligo, click here.

If you are seeking to take your exams online, and you meet the eligibility criteria (overseas students and those with extenuating circumstances), an additional examinations fee will apply. For further information, please visit our Examinations webpage. 
 

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2