This two-year, English-taught research Master’s examines the archaeology of the ancient world with a regional emphasis on Western Asia and Europe. The degree builds on the university’s established strengths in three areas: classical archaeology (Mediterranean antiquity), prehistoric archaeology (Stone, Bronze and Iron Age societies), and Near Eastern archaeology (south-western Asian antiquity). The programme is deliberately interdisciplinary, drawing together theory and method across these fields to support advanced study and original research.
Students follow a personalised course profile: a combination of interdisciplinary seminars on advanced archaeological theories and methods, practical modules including internships, and focused specialisation in one of the three core disciplines. This structure helps you deepen both disciplinary expertise and a chosen research topic while acquiring strong methodological and theoretical skills relevant to archaeological research.
Graduates are prepared to contribute to contemporary research covering Europe to the Middle East or to apply their training in professional settings via internships and practical placements. The programme’s emphasis on research methods and specialisation supports onward academic work as well as career paths outside the university sector.
The programme spans four semesters and balances interdisciplinary theory with hands-on practice. Core elements include:
Learning outcomes include the ability to design and conduct archaeological research across regional contexts (Europe to the Middle East), apply contemporary methodological approaches, critically engage with theoretical debates, and communicate findings to both academic and professional audiences.
Applicants must hold a first university degree — typically a Bachelor’s — in a subject that is relevant to archaeology. The previous degree should represent the workload of 180 ECTS in total and include a substantive component of archaeology coursework. Specifically, at least 60 ECTS must come from archaeology courses.
If your prior degree was awarded under a different credit or national system, provide your official transcripts and course descriptions so the admissions office can assess equivalence to the ECTS requirements. Make sure the archaeology-related modules are clearly identified so the 60 ECTS of archaeology coursework can be verified.
Winter Semester (International)
10 August 2025
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
10 August 2025
Graduates are prepared for further academic research (e.g. doctoral studies) or careers in the cultural heritage sector. The programme’s methodological and theoretical training, together with practical internship experience, equips students for roles in museums, archaeological fieldwork and research projects, heritage management, conservation, education and consultancy related to cultural resources.
The personalised specialisation also helps position graduates for regionally focused work across Europe and the Middle East, or for interdisciplinary roles that require strong analytical and research skills.