Archäologie (weiterführend)

This (university) Studium takes place at universities and universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen). Learning locations at the university include lecture halls, seminar and practice rooms, and libraries. At home, students prepare for and review courses, complete assignments, and may participate in online courses if necessary.

Standard (university) Studium duration: 2-4 semesters.

(University) Studium costs include enrollment and administrative fees, as well as semester contributions (e.g., for the Studierendenwerk (student services organization), student union, semester ticket). Tuition fees may apply for 'long-term students,' a second (university) Studium, or after exhausting a set Studium credit. Expenses for learning materials and Studium needs, such as specialized literature and excursions, are also incurred. Student health insurance contributions are usually required if the age limit of 25 years or certain income thresholds are exceeded. Funding opportunities are available from the Deutsches Studierendenwerk. The BAföG (Federal Education Assistance Act) is also a funding source.

Compulsory modules include archaeology as a cultural science, cultural contexts, theory/research history, and urban studies. Elective modules include Ancient Greek, archaeology as a visual science, interdisciplinary modules on acquiring basic competencies in ancient studies with practical relevance, competence in handling ancient written sources, phenomena of cultural history, practice and method in classical archaeology, settlement/landscape archaeology, late antique and Byzantine art history, and pre- and protohistoric archaeology. Practical (university) Studium content may include internships (e.g., in museums, possibly abroad), research projects, excursions, and potentially semesters abroad.

Students should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: Courses are attended in university lecture halls and seminar rooms during the semester; online courses can be joined from home if necessary. For part-time (university) Studium alongside a profession, students work during the day on weekdays and attend university in the evenings or on weekends. Independent work involves preparing for and reviewing courses, researching in libraries, preparing presentations, and completing assignments (even during lecture-free periods). Scientific research requires deepening skills in academic work. Organization and planning involve independently planning the (university) Studium, adhering to specified Studium durations, and submitting Studium and exam performances on time (self-discipline and organizational talent are required). Career preparation includes completing internships if necessary (e.g., in an excavation company or a museum) and preparing for entry into the profession.

Students can complete parts of their (university) Studium abroad. For example, Master's programs in Classical Archaeology are available in France, Greece, or Italy. Universities offering these programs include Freie Universität Berlin, Université de Paris X-Nanterre, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Università degli studi Suor Orsola Benincasa Naples. The degree awarded is Master of Arts (M.A.). Further information can be found on the Freie Universität Berlin's Master's program in Classical Archaeology.

The following (university) Studium subjects can be alternatives for Archaeology (advanced/further studies): History and Archaeology field: Ancient Studies (advanced), History (advanced), Conservation (advanced), Art History (advanced), Museology (advanced), Restoration (advanced). Common aspects include researching cultural areas, societies, and their development, as well as accessing and evaluating sources.

Universities typically require the following (university) Studium degrees as prerequisites: Archaeology (undergraduate), Egyptology (undergraduate), Ancient Studies (undergraduate).

Additional and key qualifications facilitate a successful career start. For example, topics such as intercultural communication and rhetoric are relevant. Elective and compulsory elective modules like settlement and landscape archaeology can also provide additional qualifications. Internships, for instance, in an excavation company or a museum, specifically prepare students for professional life. Offers for acquiring additional and key qualifications can be found at the Career Centers of universities (see contact details of the respective university). For universities in Germany, the Hochschulkompass university search can be used.

This advanced (university) Studium subject deepens knowledge from the undergraduate (university) Studium subject and, if applicable, from professional activity. Students usually specialize in specific topics, such as the archaeological exploration of particular eras or cultural regions. Additionally, there are Master's programs that cover a broad spectrum of archaeology. This (university) Studium leads to a second university degree. The subject can be partially combined with other fields. Archaeology is also available as a part-time (university) Studium.

Examples: Applied Landscape and Field Archaeology (Master), Archaeology of the Middle Ages and Modern Era (Master), Archaeological Sciences (Master), Computer and Geoscience in Archaeology (Master), Geoarchaeology (Master), Classical and Christian Archaeology (Master), Prehistoric Archaeology (Master), Protohistoric and Early Historic Archaeology (Master), Near Eastern Archaeology (Master), Economic and Raw Material Archaeology (Master).

Depending on the university, Archaeology (Studium) can be combined with subjects such as: English and American Studies (advanced), History (advanced), Art History (advanced), Philosophy, Ethics (advanced), Political Science (advanced), Romance Studies - Italian (advanced).

Master's graduates in Archaeology can find various fields of activity, such as archaeological excavations, exhibition management and planning, adult education, or art and cultural management. Those aiming for an academic career at a university usually need to pursue a doctorate (Promotion). A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector and research.

Late 18th century: Archaeology was established as a scientific discipline, notably by Johann Joachim Winkelmann. 1802: The first professorship for Classical Archaeology was established at the University of Kiel. Mid-19th century: Archaeology gained professionalism and increased importance through refined excavation techniques and more precise artifact documentation. 1999: The Bologna Process began, reforming the European higher education landscape with goals such as creating a unified European higher education area, harmonizing (Studium) programs and degrees (introduction of Bachelor's and Master's programs), and improving the mobility of students and faculty.

Degrees vary depending on the (Studium) program: Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.Sc.).

No remuneration is received during the (Studium). Compensation may be agreed upon for practical phases.

Legal regulations at the Federal level include: the Framework Act for Higher Education (Hochschulrahmengesetz - HRG), joint structural specifications for the accreditation of Bachelor's and Master's (Studium) programs, and the qualifications framework for German higher education degrees. At the (Bundesland) (federal state) level: Higher education laws in conjunction with administrative regulations, such as those concerning the accreditation of (Studium) programs, and qualification or higher education admission regulations apply. At the university level: The university's statutes and the study and examination regulations for the (Studium) programs in the respective subject are applicable.

The prerequisite for the (Studium) is a first professional higher education degree; usually, an undergraduate (Studium) in Archaeology is required. Depending on the university, an internal selection process takes place. Selection criteria include, for example, academic performance in the first professional (Studium) program. Where applicable, knowledge of Latin, Ancient Greek, and English must be demonstrated.