Altertumswissenschaften (grundständig)

The studies take place at universities. Learning locations at the university include lecture halls, seminar and exercise rooms, language laboratories, and libraries. Additionally, home-based activities such as preparing for and following up on courses, completing assignments, and potentially participating in online courses are part of the learning process.

This is an undergraduate (grundständiges Studium) program offered at universities, leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. The standard period of study is 3-4 years. The undergraduate program in Altertumswissenschaften (Ancient Studies) provides fundamental scientific knowledge in Indo-European languages, archaeology, and ancient history. The cultural aspects of Europe from early times to the end of antiquity are also a central theme. This subject can sometimes be combined with other fields. Possible undergraduate degree programs include Altertumswissenschaften, Alte Welt, Antike Kulturen, Antike Sprachen und Kulturen, Klassisches Altertum, and Kulturwissenschaft der Antike. Admission to universities and equivalent higher education institutions requires a general or, if applicable, subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulreife). Additionally, passing an internal university selection procedure and demonstrating knowledge of modern foreign languages and Latin, or equivalent achievements, may be required. Students attend courses.

The standard period of study is 6-8 semesters. The average actual duration of study is 9.0 semesters. Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Statistischer Bericht - Statistik der Prüfungen an deutschen Hochschulen - Prüfungsjahr 2024.

Study costs include enrollment and administration fees, as well as semester contributions (e.g., for the Studierendenwerk, student body, semester ticket). Tuition fees may apply in certain cases, such as for 'long-term students,' a second degree (Zweitstudium), or after exhausting a set study credit. Expenses for learning materials and study necessities, such as specialized literature and excursions, are also incurred. Contributions for student health insurance (typically when exceeding the age limit of 25 or certain income limits) are also part of the costs. Information on funding opportunities can be found at the Deutsches Studierendenwerk. The Federal Education Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz - BAföG) provides individual education funding.

Compulsory modules include Ancient Architecture, Greece in Archaic and Classical Periods, Greek Literature: Early and Classical Periods, Greek Literature: Hellenistic and Imperial Periods, Hellenism and Early/Classical Roman Republic, High Imperial Period to Late Antiquity, Classical Archaeology, Latin Literature of Antiquity, Latin Paleography, Latin Language, Material Culture of Antiquity, Late Roman Republic/Early Imperial Period. Elective modules may include Ancient History: Non-Epoch-Specific Subject and Medieval/Neo-Latin Literature. Practical study content may include internships (e.g., in museums).

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: Attending lectures and seminars in the university's lecture halls and seminar rooms during the semester; potentially participating in online courses from home. Practical exercises, for example, conducting Greek listening comprehension exercises in language laboratories. Independent work, preparing for and reviewing courses, researching in libraries, preparing presentations, and completing assignments (also during lecture-free periods). Organization, independently planning the studies within the given curriculum, adhering to deadlines and study periods, and submitting study and examination achievements on time (self-discipline and organizational talent are required). Career preparation, potentially completing internships (e.g., in museums) and preparing for entry into professional life.

The following study programs can be alternatives for Altertumswissenschaften (grundständig) (Ancient Studies - undergraduate): History and Archaeology field, History (undergraduate), Archaeology (undergraduate), Egyptology (undergraduate), Celtic Studies (undergraduate), Classical Philology - Greek Studies (undergraduate), Classical Philology - Latin Studies (undergraduate), Art History (undergraduate), Museology (undergraduate). Commonalities include acquiring knowledge in history and archaeology and about ancient cultures, as well as examining, systematizing, documenting, and presenting written sources and material evidence from the past.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for a successful Studium (university degree program): Latin and Greek, for example, to understand ancient philological source texts; History, for example, to draw conclusions about societal forms using historical knowledge about antiquity; English and French, for example, to read foreign language specialist literature and write texts.

Additional and key qualifications facilitate a successful career entry. The following topics, for example, are relevant: foreign languages, academic writing. Elective and optional modules such as Medieval or Neo-Latin Literature can also provide additional qualifications. Praktika (internships), for example in museums, specifically prepare for professional life. Opportunities to acquire additional and key qualifications can be found at the Career Centers of universities (see contact details of the respective university): Universities in Germany - University Search of the Hochschulkompass.

The undergraduate study program Altertumswissenschaften (Ancient Studies) imparts fundamental scientific knowledge in Indo-European languages, archaeology, and ancient history. The cultural aspects of Europe from early times to the end of antiquity are also a central theme. This study program leads to a first university degree. The study program can partly be combined with other subjects.

Examples: Altertumswissenschaften (Bachelor), Alte Welt (Bachelor), Antike Kulturen (Bachelor), Antike Sprachen und Kulturen (Bachelor), Archäologien und Philologien in den Altertumswissenschaften (Bachelor), Klassikstudien (Bachelor), Klassisches Altertum (Bachelor), Kulturwissenschaft der Antike (Bachelor), Vorderasiatische Altertumskunde (Bachelor).

Depending on the university, the Altertumswissenschaften (Ancient Studies) program can be combined with, for example, one of the following subjects: Business Administration (undergraduate), German as a Second/Foreign Language (undergraduate), Computer Science (undergraduate), Art History (undergraduate), Political Science (undergraduate), Psychology (undergraduate), Sociology (undergraduate), Economics (undergraduate).

For Bachelor graduates in Ancient Studies, various fields of activity are available in the private sector, such as exhibition management and planning, archaeological excavations, adult education, or art and cultural management.

The beginnings of Ancient Studies were established for the analysis and interpretation of ancient texts from the Roman, Greek, and Ancient Near Eastern linguistic areas. In the 19th century, with the rise of archaeology, the first chairs for (classical) archaeology emerged. Ancient Studies programs were subdivided according to specializations, such as Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Philologies, Ancient or Prehistory and Early History, and Archaeology. The Bologna Process, which began in 1999, brought reforms to the European higher education landscape with goals including the creation of a unified European higher education area, harmonization of study programs and degrees (introduction of Bachelor and Master programs), and improved mobility for students and lecturers.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

No remuneration is received during the Studium (university studies). However, compensation can be agreed upon for Praxisphasen (practical phases or internships).

Depending on the university and the Studium program, specialization is possible in areas such as Ancient Near Eastern Studies (Altorientalistik), Greek Studies (Gräzistik), Classical Archaeology, Latin Studies (Latinistik), or Prehistory and Early History (Ur- und Frühgeschichte).

Legal regulations for the Studium (university studies) are determined at the Bundesebene (federal level) by the Hochschulrahmengesetz (HRG) (Higher Education Framework Act) and Ländergemeinsame Strukturvorgaben (joint structural guidelines of the federal states). There is also the Qualifikationsrahmen für deutsche Hochschulabschlüsse (Qualifications Framework for German Higher Education Degrees). At the Landesebene (state level), Hochschulgesetze (Higher Education Acts) and Qualifikations- or Hochschulzugangsverordnungen (qualification or higher education access ordinances) apply. At the Hochschulebene (university level), the university's Satzung (statutes) and the Studien- und Prüfungsordnungen (study and examination regulations) for the respective study programs are in effect.

The prerequisite for Studium (university studies) at universities and equivalent higher education institutions is the general or, if applicable, subject-specific Hochschulreife (higher education entrance qualification) or a certificate recognized as equivalent by the competent authority of the respective Bundesland (federal state) (e.g., Ministry of Culture). Information on Studium without a school-based higher education entrance qualification for professionally qualified individuals can be found under 'Access to higher education in the individual federal states'. Depending on the university, an internal selection process may take place. If necessary, knowledge of modern foreign languages and the Latinum (Latin proficiency) or equivalent achievements must be proven.

Bachelor graduates in Altertumswissenschaften (Ancient Studies) can continue their Studium (studies) in an advanced subject, such as Altertumswissenschaften, Archäologie (Archaeology), or Klassische Philologie - Latinistik (Classical Philology - Latin Studies), thereby expanding their professional and career opportunities. Possible advanced study subjects include Ägyptologie (Egyptology), Altertumswissenschaften, Archäologie, Geschichte (History), Keltologie (Celtic Studies), Klassische Philologie - Gräzistik (Classical Philology - Greek Studies), Klassische Philologie - Latinistik, and Museologie (Museology).