This pre-Master's programme is aimed at students with an academic Bachelor's degree or a Bachelor's degree from a University of Applied Sciences (such as Dutch HBO) that does not grant direct access to the Master's Archaeology. The programme is taught in English.
If you successfully complete the pre-Master’s programme within a year, you will automatically be admitted to the Master’s Archaeology. However, you do need to complete the programme within one year, as you cannot start the Master's without fully meeting the entry requirements. After completing the pre-Master's programme you will not receive a diploma or certificate.
Please note: if you have obtained an academic Bachelor’s degree, you do not need to take the two Academic Skills courses (2 x 6 ECTS), which means that the programme will comprise 30 ECTS instead of 42 ECTS. Below you see the programme of the current academic year; the courses in the coming academic year may differ slightly.
You can choose from 'Archaeology of Cult', 'Environmental Archaeology' and 'Science in Archaeology 2'.
You can choose between 'Archaeology and Society' and 'Field School 1'.
Please check the deadlines below very carefully, because they are strict. Missing one of the deadlines means that your application cannot be processed.
Register in Studielink (see step 1 of the application process)
8 May 2025, 23:59 CET
Submit complete application (see step 2)
15 May 2025, 23:59 CET
Register in Studielink (see step 1 of the application process)
23 February 2025, 23:59 CET
Submit complete application (see step 2)
1 March 2025, 23:59 CET
Register in Studielink (see step 1 of the application process)
8 May 2025, 23:59 CET
Submit complete application (see step 2)
15 May 2025, 23:59 CET
Register in Studielink (see step 1 of the application process)
23 February 2025, 23:59 CET
Submit complete application (see step 2)
1 March 2025, 23:59 CET
If you need a visa for your stay in the Netherlands, please note that the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) only issues visas to pre-Master's students for the duration of one year. If you do not complete the programme in one year, you cannot continue your studies anywhere in the Netherlands.
Your application to the Graduate School of Humanities always starts by submitting an enrolment request in Studielink and MyInfo application for the Master's programme you wish to pursue, even if you think you are eligible for the pre-Master’s programme.
An enrolment request in Studielink for the pre-Master’s programme alone is not sufficient and will not be taken into consideration.
All students applying will need to start their application by submitting an enrolment request in Studielink, the Dutch online system for students applying for a degree programme at a Dutch university.
Applicants for the pre-Master's in Archaeology need to submit an enrolment request in Studielink for the Master's in Archaeology. Please note: even if you think you are eligible for the pre-Master’s programme, you must start your application by submitting an enrolment request for the Master's in Archaeology.
It is extremely important that you register in Studielink at least 48 hours before the application deadline (see above). This is to ensure that you receive your login information (UvAnetID) in time to fill in your UvA application in MyInfo (see step 3).
All students applying for a (pre-)Master’s programme with a non-Dutch degree must pay a non-refundable application fee of €100. The UvA cannot start processing your application until this fee has been paid. You can pay the application fee by credit card (Master or Visacard) or iDEAL.
You do not have to pay the application fee:
Complete all of the steps of the application process for the Master's programme, including the application in MyInfo and the submission of all required application documents. This includes proof of English/Dutch language proficiency that meets our requirements.
The Admissions Board will assess your prior education and determine whether you are directly admissible to the Master’s programme, admissible to the Master’s programme after first completing the pre-Master’s programme, or not admissible to the (pre)Master’s programme.
If you are admissible to the pre-Master’s programme, you will receive a letter of conditional admission with the steps you need to take to become fully enrolled.
Please be aware that all pre-Master’s programmes offered by the Graduate School of Humanities must be completed within one academic year. Extensions are not possible.
The tuition fee rate for a pre-Master’s programme in the academic year 2025-2026 is €43.35 per ECTS, with a maximum of €2,601. This means that for a 42 ECTS pre-Master’s programme, the fee is €1,820.70; for a 30 ECTS programme, the fee is €1,300.50.
If you are following an academic Bachelor's programme, it may also be possible to fulfil the admission requirements for a Master's degree programme by completing a minor during your Bachelor's, instead of a pre-Master's programme after finishing your Bachelor's.