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 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.

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.

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.

Would you like to be challenged even more? You can choose to do two Bachelor’s degrees or follow the Honours programme.

Double Bachelor’s in Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities offers the possibility to obtain a degree from two different Bachelor's programmes. By means of exemptions you can obtain two degrees with a reduced effective workload. The double Bachelor's is intended for motivated students who are looking for an extra challenge and/or a broader perspective during their studies.

Honours programme

Highly-motivated students may qualify to take part in a selective Honours programme. This programme accounts for an additional 30 ECTS and will help familiarise you with various other aspects of academic research and prepare you for a subsequent Research Master's degree.

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.

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.