Archaeology
Specialisations
- Archaeological Heritage and Museum Studies
- Archaeology and Anthropology of the Americas
- Archaeology of Europe and Historical Archaeology
- Archaeology of the Mediterranean and Near East
- Bioarchaeology and Material Culture Studies
The Master’s Programme in Archaeology at Leiden University is the most diverse in the Netherlands. There are several regional and thematic specialisations and the education programme is directly linked to ongoing research. The faculty staff are involved in projects all over the world, with a strong emphasis on field archaeology. There is an additional focus on ecology and geology, which is combined with iconological and historical studies, as well as with ethno-archaeological, anthropological and experimental approaches.
In-depth knowledge of a specific cultural area is combined with ongoing debates in general theory, the development of new methods and the advancement of the use of information technology in the discipline.
Master of Arts or Master of Science
Students who choose the Bioarchaeology and Material Culture Studies specialisation receive a Master of Science degree in Archaeology. For all other specialisations students receive a Master of Arts degree in Archaeology.
Master details
- Degree Master of Arts / Master in Science of Archaeology
- Mode of study Full-time
- Duration 1 year
- Start date September, February
- Language of instruction English
- Location Leiden
- Croho/isat code 60805
Starting your studies in February 2013?
Then you have a choice of specialisations within the old curriculum.
As of September 2013, the 15 Archaeology master’s specialisations will be grouped into 5 new and broader specialisations. If you want to start in February 2013, you follow the old curriculum, where you can choose a primary and a secondary specialisation out of the following 15 specialisations. Besides these, you take one elective course and write your thesis. The thesis subject is chosen within the primary specialisation.
1. Archaeology and Anthropology of Mesoamerica and the Andes
2. Archaeology of East and Southeast Asia
3. Archaeology of Egypt
4. Archaeology of the Caribbean and Amazonia
5. Archaeology of the Near East
6. Artefact Studies
7. Classical and Mediterranean Archaeology
8. Field Archaeology
9. Heritage Management in a World Context
10. Archaeology of the Roman Provinces, the Middle Ages and Modern Period
11. Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology
12. Museum Studies
13. Palaeoecology
14. Palaeolithic Archaeology
15. Prehistory of North-Western EuropeFor detailed information about the old curriculum and courses, see the e-prospectus.
What our students say
Willem Liethof, 1st year master's student “I chose Leiden because of the broad range of possible specialisations and because Archaeology in Leiden has such a good reputation.”
“I chose to study archaeology firstly because I wanted to do something I liked. I had always been digging in the garden. Secondly, I wanted to actually do something, not just sit in an office with books and a computer. I chose Leiden because of the broad range of possible specialisations and because Archaeology in Leiden has such a good reputation. As I like traveling and have always been interested in Mesoamerica, I decided to specialise in this area.
I like the fact that the study is not so large scale; you soon get to know the lecturers and it is easy to get in contact with them. Many people visit the Department from other institutions so it is easy to acquire a good network of contacts. My girlfriend Sissy and I went on two work placements last year in the Dominican Republic, one project was a Leiden University project and the other was run by a PhD who was conducting research there via Leiden. If you add a couple of weeks’ holiday on the end of the project, you can have a great summer, gaining a lot of experience both within and outside the study. After my study, I hope to continue to work in this area.”
Art meets science
Play
Interested in Research?
Consider the two-year Research Master’s in Archaeology