Bachelor's Archaeology - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Turn the past into your future

Expanding cities, making roads, laying railway tracks; construction projects abound in Europe. But before construction starts, archaeological research needs to be done. This means there is an enduring demand for archaeologists who can lead excavations and analyse the findings.

The Bachelor’s pays attention to the study of earthenware, glass, metal and other materials, the relationship between people and the landscape and the presentation of research results in various media. The programme is unique in the Netherlands for its focus on the whole of Europe: both the Mediterranean area and Central and Western Europe, including naturally, the Netherlands and Amsterdam.

Europe

You acquire a strong foundation of knowledge about archaeology in Europe, then zoom in on the historical periods and geographical areas that interest you most. You take courses and work together with students from the other ACASA programmes: Ancient Studies and Greek & Latin Language & Culture. You also do fieldwork placements in the Netherlands, Italy and Greece.

Best of both worlds

The Archaeology programme is offered in collaboration between the two Amsterdam universities, VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam (UvA). All lectures are delivered on the UvA campus in the city centre, next to the Allard Pierson Museum.

Excursions, for example to Sicily, are also part of this programma.

The start date of this programme is September 1^st.

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VU Bachelor's Day

Saturday 8 February 2025

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1st year
2nd year
3rd year

First year

You acquire a solid foundation of historical knowledge and are introduced to different archaeological methods and techniques. The programme is structured in such a way that you can increasingly focus on your own interests. Because the Archaeology programme works closely with the Bachelor’s programmes in Ancient Studies and in Greek & Latin Language & Culture, the first year is broad in scope. You study the field of archaeology and learn about contemporary societies in Europe. You also delve into cultural history and sources since antiquity, in connection with the natural landscape. This year concludes with fieldwork, during which you are familiarised with excavation techniques. Read the complete course overview in the Study guide.

Subjects

A Cultural History of the Ancient World 1: The Near East and the Greek World
English Language Test
What is Archaeology?
A Cultural History of the Ancient World 2: The Hellenistic World, Italy and Rome
Archeological Sources
Environmental Archeology
Historical Sources
Archaeology of Prehistoric and Roman Europe
Archaeology and Society
Archaeology of Medieval Europe and the Early Modern World
Field School 1

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

Second year

The second year deepens your knowledge of archaeology, focusing on the themes of urban culture, rituals, religions and heritage. You study a range of archaeological artefacts and learn different academic and digital research methods. You also go on an excursion, and end the year with an internship or fieldwork. Read the complete course overview in the Study guide.

Subjects

Archaeology and the City
Science in Archaeology
Archaeology of Cult
Philosophy of the Humanities (ACASA)
Digital Archaeology
Past and Present: Critical Approaches to Antiquity and Archaeological Heritage
Theory in Archaeology
ACASA Excursion
Archaeological Materials in Context
Field School 2

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

Third year

In the third year, you can follow a minor to either explore a different field of study or dive deeper into a specific subject. You also take two courses focused on developing your research skills: Death and Commemoration, on how people have historically dealt with death, and Lieux de Mémoire, on historical and contemporary spaces used for the purposes of commemoration. Finally, you write your Bachelor’s thesis on a topic of your own choosing within the field of archaeology. Read the complete course overview in the Study guide.

Subjects

Bachelor Thesis Archaeology
From Excavation to Publication
Lieux de mémoire
Death and Commemoration

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

1st year
First year

You acquire a solid foundation of historical knowledge and are introduced to different archaeological methods and techniques. The programme is structured in such a way that you can increasingly focus on your own interests. Because the Archaeology programme works closely with the Bachelor’s programmes in Ancient Studies and in Greek & Latin Language & Culture, the first year is broad in scope. You study the field of archaeology and learn about contemporary societies in Europe. You also delve into cultural history and sources since antiquity, in connection with the natural landscape. This year concludes with fieldwork, during which you are familiarised with excavation techniques. Read the complete course overview in the Study guide.

Subjects
A Cultural History of the Ancient World 1: The Near East and the Greek World

English Language Test

What is Archaeology?

A Cultural History of the Ancient World 2: The Hellenistic World, Italy and Rome

Archeological Sources

Environmental Archeology

Historical Sources

Archaeology of Prehistoric and Roman Europe

Archaeology and Society

Archaeology of Medieval Europe and the Early Modern World

Field School 1

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.
2nd year
Second year

The second year deepens your knowledge of archaeology, focusing on the themes of urban culture, rituals, religions and heritage. You study a range of archaeological artefacts and learn different academic and digital research methods. You also go on an excursion, and end the year with an internship or fieldwork. Read the complete course overview in the Study guide.

Subjects
Archaeology and the City

Science in Archaeology

Archaeology of Cult

Philosophy of the Humanities (ACASA)

Digital Archaeology

Past and Present: Critical Approaches to Antiquity and Archaeological Heritage

Theory in Archaeology

ACASA Excursion

Archaeological Materials in Context

Field School 2

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.
3rd year
Third year

In the third year, you can follow a minor to either explore a different field of study or dive deeper into a specific subject. You also take two courses focused on developing your research skills: Death and Commemoration, on how people have historically dealt with death, and Lieux de Mémoire, on historical and contemporary spaces used for the purposes of commemoration. Finally, you write your Bachelor’s thesis on a topic of your own choosing within the field of archaeology. Read the complete course overview in the Study guide.

Subjects
Bachelor Thesis Archaeology

From Excavation to Publication

Lieux de mémoire

Death and Commemoration

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study guide.

After the Bachelor’s you can specialise further by following a Master’s programme. As a graduate of Archaeology, you could work at many different companies, city councils, museums and heritage institutions or at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. You can also opt to continue your studies.

Explore your future prospects