Our program
Archaeology of the Ancient World (MA AAW) is a two-year, full-time Master’s program taught in English.
It brings together three disciplines – Prehistoric archaeology, Near Eastern archaeology and Classical archaeology – to approach the past of North Africa, Southwest Asia and Europe through a multi-focus perspective.
The program introduces you to the past of a part of the world that has seen the most intense processes of transformation as well as the most abundant intercultural and inter-society contacts within the last ten thousand years. And for learning about - and in the end contributing to - our knowledge of this past you will acquire theoretical skills in how to treat texts and opinions as well as practical skills in handling artefacts and dealing with data.
As a consecutive program MA AAW builds on knowledge about the past from the field of archaelogy that has been acquired in the course of a Bachelor program or through professional qualification.
The Master's program is, as standard in Germany, tuition-free for all students, irrespective of their country of origin.
- See our program's structure below.
- Read the FAQ about our program.
The formal aspects of the program are covered by the official regulations and descriptions:
Why study the ancient world?
The past is the archive of humanity‘s experiences. And archaeology – because of its scientific approach – is the most unbiased way to learn about those experiences: from how people adapted to environmental change to how aesthetics mirrored intercultural contact; from how samples and observations can reflect a long-gone world to how we can approach past immaterial aspects via the study of material culture today.
Would you like to learn how to think in long-term perspectives, evaluate inferences from silent sources and discerning statements based on arguments from mere narratives? How about combining library expertise with practical excavation skills? Or scrutinizing tiny artefacts with the same rigour as comprehending whole city plans? Archaeology teaches you to really look at and think about things, big and small, appealing or gross – and consider the human beings behind them.
Do you possess excellent English language skills (at least level C1 CEFR)? Do you hold a Bachelor's degree with at least 60 credit points in courses related to the archaeology of the ancient world?
Then the MA AAW may be the right program for you.
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Read the FAQ about admissions
Application:
Apply here with a degree from Germany (Application portal of Freie Universität Berlin) :
https://fu-berlin.hispro.de/qisserver/pages/cs/sys/portal/hisinoneStartPage.faces
Apply here with a degree from a country other than Germany (portal uniassist) :
https://www.uni-assist.de/en/how-to-apply/apply-online/
Before applying please read the requirements (link) carefully.
7 more reasons to study at FU Berlin
1. Go beyond disciplinary borders
In this program, three disciplines dealing with a wide range of subjects related to archaeology and the ancient world are combined. As a student in this program, you gain access to an extensive academic and professional network, can connect with fellow students from related Master’s programs, and network with internationally acclaimed scholars from the three participating disciplines.
Department of History and Cultural Studies, Link: https://www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/en/index.html
2. Connect across institutions
The program cultivates cooperations across departments and universities in Berlin and beyond. The participating institutes have existing collaborations with several museums as well as the German Archaeological Institute.
3. Tailor your program
The program not only provides you with a sold methodological basis for interdisciplinary work, it distinguishes itself through its flexibility and a broad range of electives. This allows you to tailor your curriculum to your personal interests and career aspirations within an interdisciplinary context.
For the curricular structure see the diagram below.
4. Gain professional and research experience
The program allows you to learn about and participate in ongoing research in archaeology and to gain professional experience through an internship. This is your opportunity to expand your skills in a wide range of activities, from cultural and archaeological institutions to publishing houses, excavations and NGOs.
The career service supports your internship endeavors, link: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/career/index.html
5. Become part of an international network
Freie Universität has an excellent international network of teaching and research, including a liaison office in Cairo and strategic partnerships.
Cairo Office of Freie Universität Berlin, link: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/cairo/index.html
Freie Universität Berlin International Network, link: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/international/network/index.html
6. Explore Berlin, academic and otherwise
Berlin as a location offers a unique array of scholarly and cultural institutions related to the archaeology and the ancient world, such as the Vorderasiatisches Museum, Antikensammlung Berlin, Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte, the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin Preußischer Kulturbesitz with its world-famous manuscript collection, the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, the German Archaeological Institute and the open-air museum in Düppel.
Beyond that, Berlin has much to offer in terms of culture and - with its city parks - in nature.
And beyond that, there is always non-academic berlin.
Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin, link: https://www.smb.museum/museen-einrichtungen/vorderasiatisches-museum/home/
Antikensammlung Berlin, link: https://www.smb.museum/museen-einrichtungen/antikensammlung/home/
Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte, link: https://www.smb.museum/museen-einrichtungen/museum-fuer-vor-und-fruehgeschichte/home/
Haus der Kulturen der Welt, link: https://www.hkw.de/en/
7. Take the opportunity to learn German
Good German language skills not only help during your stay in Germany for the Master's program; they also enrich your personal profile. German courses starting at level A2 are available free of charge at Freie Universität for all international students of Master programs taught in English.
Link: https://www.sprachenzentrum.fu-berlin.de/en/sprachangebot/sprachen/deutsch/index.html
Program structure
The Master's program is divided into three areas, each composed of several modules. The last semester is reserved for writing your master’s thesis:
