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Bachelor
Archaeology
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Study programme

By doing the Bachelor’s programme in Archaeology, you will develop academic skills and insight and will learn that archaeology is connected with many other fields of study, such as heritage, landscape, art and history. Furthermore, the programme is taught in English, so you will be well prepared for work placements abroad and for possible progression to our Master’s degree programmes taught in English.

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Programme composition 

You will learn to use digital, forensic and other modern research techniques, as well as how you can use them to find and analyse archaeological remains. You will also examine various remains, such as pottery, coins and bones, in order to discover how humans used to live. With the aid of maps, geological knowledge and computer models, you will learn how you can reconstruct a landscape in order to find out what it looked like in the past.

Fieldwork is really exciting. It feels a bit exotic. It is a bit like unwrapping a present: you have no idea what could be inside. Gert Jan van Wijngaarden, lecturer in Archaeology Read the interview
Bachelor's Week Information session (recording)

See this recording of our November 2022 live session, in which the Archaeology Bachelor's programme is illustrated.

The first academic year

During your first academic year, this degree programme will provide you with a lot of general knowledge about the past, as well as with an overview of archaeological methods and techniques. The programme has been constructed in such a way that you will be given increasing freedom to follow your own interests. Because the Archaeology degree programme works together closely with Ancient Studies and Classics within ACASA, the first year is broad in scope. You will learn about archaeology and about contemporary societies in Europe.  You will also delve into cultural history and sources ranging from Antiquity up until today and connect them with landscape. Your first year will conclude with a fieldwork trip, in which you will learn how to excavate.

The second and third academic year

The second year will provide you with more specific archaeological knowledge, in which a few themes take centre stage: urban culture, ritual and religion, and heritage. A lot of attention is also devoted to archaeological materials and to academic and digital research methods. Apart from that, you will go on excursions and you will conclude the year with a work placement or with fieldwork.

During the third year, you can broaden your knowledge by doing a minors programme or you can delve deeper into a specific subject instead. Moreover, you will take two courses aimed at conducting academic research: Death and Commemoration, which concerns how humans dealt with death in the past, and Lieux de Mémoire, which concerns places that have been used in the present and past for the purpose of remembrance. You will conclude the year by writing your thesis about a subject you have chosen yourself from within the field of archaeology.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • ACASA Bachelor's introduction
    —
  • A Cultural History of the Ancient World 1: The Near East and the Greek World
    6
  • What is Archaeology?
    6
  • A Cultural History of the Ancient World 2: The Hellenistic World, Italy and Rome
    6
  • Environmental Archaeology
    6
  • Historical Sources
    6
  • Archaeology of Prehistoric and Roman Europe
    6
  • Material Sources
    6
  • Archaeology and Society
    6
  • Archaeology of Medieval Europe and the Early Modern World
    6
  • Field School 1
    6
COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Archaeology and the City
    6
  • Science in Archaeology
    6
  • Archaeology of Cult
    6
  • Philosophy of the Humanities (ACASA)
    6
  • Digital Archaeology
    6
  • Past and Present: Critical Approaches to Antiquity and Archaeological Heritage
    6
  • Theory in Archaeology
    6
  • ACASA excursion
    6
  • Archaeological Materials in Context
    6
  • Field School 2
    6
COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • From Excavation to Publication
    6
  • Lieux de mémoire
    6
  • Death and Commemoration
    6
  • Free-choice electives: Free electives
    30
UvA Course Catalogue: Archaeology
  • Minor and electives

    Next to your regular courses and your specialisation, you will also have 30 ECTS worth of space to fill by doing electives, a minor, an internship or by studying abroad.

    Electives

    In theory, any course can be taken as an elective, from courses offered by the Faculty of Humanities to those offered by other faculties or even other universities. Most programmes offer separate electives.

    Curriculum and electives

    Minor

    A minor is a cohesive teaching programme that consists of 30 ECTS. Doing a minor is not mandatory. However, it may be a good way to prepare for a Master’s programme or for a certain profession.

    View all minors
  • Internship and studying abroad

    The programme allows for you to do an internship and/or to study abroad for a period of time.

    Internship

    You can enrich your study programme as well as your CV by doing an internship. This will allow you to gain experience at an organisation in the field of Ancient Studies and gives you an impression of the job opportunities they offer.

    Read more about doing an internship

    Studying abroad

    The UvA is closely involved with international programmes involved with cooperation and exchange within Europe, the United States and Canada. This gives you the opportunity to study abroad for a period of time.

    Studying abroad

Accreditation and academic title

The Bachelor's programme Archaeology accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that after successful completion of the programme you will receive a recognised Bachelor’s degree in Archaelogy and the title Bachelor of Arts (BA).