Master's Archaeology - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Immerse yourself in the material culture of Europe’s past

This Master’s programme offers two specialisations: European and Mediterranean Archaeology, and Digital Archaeology and Heritage. In both specialisations, you will acquire in-depth knowledge through thematic courses and research skills through specialised, small-scale research workshops. You will learn to operate academically and professionally, according to the highest standards.

Programme structure

The Master's programme in Archaeology comprises 60 EC credits. Students from both specialisations follow two courses (12 EC) together. In addition, each specialisation has two exclusive courses (12 EC). There is also a possibility to follow specialised skills courses or individual internships (with a maximum of 12 EC). The programme ends with a thesis or end project (18 EC).

Archaeology in Amsterdam

This Master’s degree programme is offered jointly by two universities. The University of Amsterdam and VU Amsterdam have combined their expertise in the fields of Archaeology, Ancient History and Classics in the Amsterdam Centre for Ancient Studies and Archaeology (ACASA). This merging of specialisations creates a stimulating environment for collaboration and study and extends the options when it comes to the supervision of your Master’s Thesis.

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1st year

The study programme

Core modules

The objectives of the shared core are to explore themes that are relevant in modern archaeology. These courses incorporate case studies from European and Mediterranean archaeology.

Period 1: Digitization of the Past and Present
In this course, the theoretical and practical basis of various digital approaches used in Archaeology will be treated, as well as their position within the discipline and the broader field of Heritage Studies. Students will learn to become ‘critical consumers’ of digital approaches in research practice as well as in science communication.

Period 2: Research Skills 1: Project Design
Doing research is a key skill in academic and in heritage archaeology. In this course, you will be trained in the first two stages if a research process: the design of the research and data analysis. You will work with staff members and experience which steps are needed to create a research project. You will cooperate in small groups, in which you will have a clearly defined role, so you will acquire specific (digital) skills.

Electives

At many points in your programme, you can choose between alternative courses, allowing you to tailor your programme to your own interests.

Modules with the explicit objective to acquire research skills and to work in a small team are taught in blocks 2 and 3. Together, these classes cover the full research process: from design, through data and analysis to research reporting. In these classes, you cooperate in small teams of students on research projects by ACASA Archaeology staff and focus either on European or Mediterranean case-studies. It is possible to drop the research sills course in block 3 in favour of an internship. For students in the specialisation Digital Archaeology and Heritage, an internship is mandatory (in either period 3 or 4).

Master’s Thesis

The Master’s Thesis is an important part of the programme, enabling you to conduct independent research under the supervision of one of the staff members. The subject of the thesis must be mutually agreed upon by the student and the academic adviser. A Master’s Thesis seminar is offered to prepare you for the assignment. Thanks to the cooperation between the two universities a wide array of topics are available for supervision.

As an alternative for writing a Thesis, students in the specialisation Digital Archaeology and Heritage may also opt for a Master’s Project that is related to an archaeological or heritage research question and results in a digital product, such as e.g. a digital reconstruction or model, or a software application. The Master’s Project also includes an individual, written report, which not only describes the process of development and the results, but also discusses the starting points, approach and methods chosen, and reflects on these choices at a theoretical level.

European and Mediterranean Archaeology
Digital Archaeology and Heritage

Summary

If you decide to follow the European and Mediterranean Archaeology track, you’ll focus on the history of ancient Europe and the Mediterranean world from the Bronze Age until the Early Modern Period.

Specialisation courses

In the specialisation courses you are taught the latest knowledge of specific fields and recent methods and skills in European and Mediterranean archaeology.

Period 1: Global Historical Archaeology
Even though archaeology primarily is focused on material remains, you will make much use of historical sources as well. By discussing case-studies from the Mediterranean and Europe in various periods, you will become acquainted with the pitfalls and possibilities of combining material, pictorial and written sources.

Period 2: Archaeology, Museums and the Public
In this course, you will explore the role of museums in presenting the past to the public. You will engage yourselves actively with the archaeological collection of the Allard Pierson in interdisciplinary groups with students from other programmes.

Period 4: Mobility and Interaction in the Ancient Mediterranean
Human mobility and migration have become important themes in archaeology in the last decade. In this course, you will learn the main theoretical and methodological approaches to this theme. And you will learn to apply them to specific case studies in the Mediterranean.

Period 4: Archaeology, Heritage and Society
Archaeology is never carried out in an ivory tower, but part of society. Archaeology as heritage deals with issues of group identity. In this course, you will learn about the archaeological infrastructures in different European countries and the choices that are being made in order to make archaeological remains visible in the present and in the future.

Courses

Core modules

Period 1: Digitization of the Past and Present
Period 2: Research Skills 1: Design and Data

Specialisation courses

Period 1: Aegean Archaeology: Emergence or
Period 1: The Roman World beyond Rome
Period 2: Archaeology, Museums and the Public
Period 4: Mobility and Interaction in the Ancient Mediterranean or
Period 4: Archaeology, Heritage and Society and
Period 4: Global Historical Archaeology or
Period 4: Provenience and Provenance in Archaeology

Electives

Period 3: Research Skills 2: Archaeological Reporting or
Period 3: Internship Master Archaeology

Master's Thesis

Period 5 and 6

You will find the study programme in our Studyguide.

Summary

If you decide to follow the track Digital Archaeology and Heritage, you'll focus on current digital methods and techniques in archaeology and their application in the field of cultural heritage.

Specialisation courses

In the specialisation courses you are taught the latest knowledge of specific fields and recent methods and skills in digital archaeology and heritage.

Period 2: 3D Visualization and Virtual Reconstruction
This course will introduce students to the theoretical principles of creating 3D visualizations and virtual reconstructions in research fields dealing with the human past (e.g., archaeology, heritage studies), and will foster the development of practical skills in 3D reconstruction. Students will learn the fundamentals of reporting on and justifying decisions made during the scientific process.

Period 4: Digital Practice in Archaeology and Heritage
In this course, students will learn to apply specific digital methods and techniques at an advanced level to all aspects of current archaeological practice, from research design to data collection and analysis to presentation and sharing of research outcomes.

Thesis or Master's project

As an alternative for writing a Thesis, students of the track Digital Archaeology and Heritage may also opt for a Master’s Project: an individual or group assignment that is related to an archaeological or heritage research question and results in a digital product (e.g. a digital reconstruction or model, or a software application). The Master’s Project also includes an individual, written report, which not only describes the process of development and the results, but also discusses the starting points, approach and methods chosen, and reflects on the these choices at a theoretical level.

Courses

Core modules

Period 1: Digitization of the Past and Present
Period 2: Research Skills 1: Design and Data

Specialisation courses

Period 2: 3D Visualization and Virtual Reconstruction
Period 4: Digital Practice in Archaeology and Heritage
Period 3: Internship Master Archaeology or
Period 3: Research Skills 2: Archaeological Reporting

Electives:

Period 1: Aegean Archaeology: Emergence or
Period 1: The Roman World beyond Rome
Period 3: Research Skills 2: Archaeological Reporting
Period 4: Imaging and Assessing Landscapes or
Period 4: Provenience and Provenance in Archaeology

Master's Thesis or Master's Project

Period 5 and 6

You will find the study programme in our Studyguide.

European and Mediterranean Archaeology
Summary

If you decide to follow the European and Mediterranean Archaeology track, you’ll focus on the history of ancient Europe and the Mediterranean world from the Bronze Age until the Early Modern Period.
Specialisation courses
In the specialisation courses you are taught the latest knowledge of specific fields and recent methods and skills in European and Mediterranean archaeology.
Period 1: Global Historical Archaeology
Even though archaeology primarily is focused on material remains, you will make much use of historical sources as well. By discussing case-studies from the Mediterranean and Europe in various periods, you will become acquainted with the pitfalls and possibilities of combining material, pictorial and written sources.
Period 2: Archaeology, Museums and the Public
In this course, you will explore the role of museums in presenting the past to the public. You will engage yourselves actively with the archaeological collection of the Allard Pierson in interdisciplinary groups with students from other programmes.
Period 4: Mobility and Interaction in the Ancient Mediterranean
Human mobility and migration have become important themes in archaeology in the last decade. In this course, you will learn the main theoretical and methodological approaches to this theme. And you will learn to apply them to specific case studies in the Mediterranean.

Period 4: Archaeology, Heritage and Society
Archaeology is never carried out in an ivory tower, but part of society. Archaeology as heritage deals with issues of group identity. In this course, you will learn about the archaeological infrastructures in different European countries and the choices that are being made in order to make archaeological remains visible in the present and in the future.
Courses
Core modules
- Period 1: Digitization of the Past and Present
- Period 2: Research Skills 1: Design and Data
Specialisation courses
- Period 1: Aegean Archaeology: Emergence or
- Period 1: The Roman World beyond Rome
- Period 2: Archaeology, Museums and the Public
- Period 4: Mobility and Interaction in the Ancient Mediterranean or
- Period 4: Archaeology, Heritage and Society and
- Period 4: Global Historical Archaeology or
- Period 4: Provenience and Provenance in Archaeology
Electives
- Period 3: Research Skills 2: Archaeological Reporting or
- Period 3: Internship Master Archaeology
Master's Thesis
- Period 5 and 6
You will find the study programme in our Studyguide.
Digital Archaeology and Heritage
Summary

If you decide to follow the track Digital Archaeology and Heritage, you'll focus on current digital methods and techniques in archaeology and their application in the field of cultural heritage.
Specialisation courses
In the specialisation courses you are taught the latest knowledge of specific fields and recent methods and skills in digital archaeology and heritage.

Period 2: 3D Visualization and Virtual Reconstruction
This course will introduce students to the theoretical principles of creating 3D visualizations and virtual reconstructions in research fields dealing with the human past (e.g., archaeology, heritage studies), and will foster the development of practical skills in 3D reconstruction. Students will learn the fundamentals of reporting on and justifying decisions made during the scientific process.

Period 4: Digital Practice in Archaeology and Heritage
In this course, students will learn to apply specific digital methods and techniques at an advanced level to all aspects of current archaeological practice, from research design to data collection and analysis to presentation and sharing of research outcomes.
Thesis or Master's project
As an alternative for writing a Thesis, students of the track Digital Archaeology and Heritage may also opt for a Master’s Project: an individual or group assignment that is related to an archaeological or heritage research question and results in a digital product (e.g. a digital reconstruction or model, or a software application). The Master’s Project also includes an individual, written report, which not only describes the process of development and the results, but also discusses the starting points, approach and methods chosen, and reflects on the these choices at a theoretical level.
Courses
Core modules
- Period 1: Digitization of the Past and Present
- Period 2: Research Skills 1: Design and Data
Specialisation courses
- Period 2: 3D Visualization and Virtual Reconstruction
- Period 4: Digital Practice in Archaeology and Heritage
- Period 3: Internship Master Archaeology or
- Period 3: Research Skills 2: Archaeological Reporting
Electives:
- Period 1: Aegean Archaeology: Emergence or
- Period 1: The Roman World beyond Rome
- Period 3: Research Skills 2: Archaeological Reporting
- Period 4: Imaging and Assessing Landscapes or
- Period 4: Provenience and Provenance in Archaeology
Master's Thesis or Master's Project
- Period 5 and 6
You will find the study programme in our Studyguide.

The specialisation in Digital Archaeology has several possibilities to do an internship, for example at the UvA’s 4DR lab. Students in European and Mediterranean Archaeology can follow an internship instead of the research skills course of block 3 in January, for instance at the Allard Pierson, the City of Amsterdam, Dutch heritage institutions, or elsewhere.

You will learn essential skills for research including research design, data analysis and research reporting. You can further develop these skills through an individual assignment at one of the UvA/VU Amsterdam’s current research locations in the Netherlands or in the Mediterranean, at fieldwork projects in Greece. You can also do a fieldwork assignment in North-Western and Central Europe through research projects led by staff members. Archaeological fieldwork, which takes place in close cooperation with the local archaeological services and international partners, consists of excavations, field surveys, remote sensing, digital applications and landscape analysis.

Students with excellent results during a Master’s programme are encouraged to continue their studies in one of our Research Master’s programmes. If you decide to switch programmes and are admitted before the start of the second semester, you will be able to transfer all credits earned in the first semester to your Research Master’s degree programme. In case you join later, the Examinations Board determines which courses qualify for the Research Master’s programme.

Within ACASA, there are two Research Master’s programmes, which would be suitable for a continuation of your studies:

Having graduated with a Master's degree in Archaeology, you’ll be well prepared for a broad range of career opportunities. You could work for local, national or international heritage management agencies, or you could start your career in a commerical archaeological firm, in the broader cultural heritage sector, including museums, archives, journalism or cultural tourism. Alternatively, some of our alumni have gone into sectors unrelated to their studies, like IT, banking or business administration.

Explore your future prospects