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Archaeology and Ancient Civilization Studies (M.A.)
From Venus of Willendorf to the Roman Empire – Understanding the origins of Europe
In the Master's degree programme in Archaeology and Ancient Civilization Studies, students explore the beginnings of European art, literature and history, from the Venus of Willendorf and the princely tomb of Gommern to Homer’s epics and Martial’s epigrams; from Greek statues and Pompeian houses to the Greek polis and the Roman Empire. Combining Ancient History, Classical Archaeology, Classical Philology and Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology as specialist areas, the programme is one-of-a-kind in Germany and offers students unique insights into the early European history and culture.
Students receive thorough yet varied education in the core disciplines of classical studies, drawing from textual and pictorial sources, archaeological finds and methods and theories in classical disciplines. Depending on their specialization, students focus on the analysis and interpretation of Greek and Latin texts, visual sources or material remains of past cultures.
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The programme integrates discussions on current research questions in classical studies and teaches students the skills required to undertake independent academic research with a strong methodological foundation. Students learn to identify research questions, sources and academic literature with confidence, to thoroughly evaluate information and to present their findings clearly and in a manner appropriate for their target audience. The programme's archaeology courses are research-oriented and place a particular emphasis on employing digital methods.
Excursions, practical exercise and problem-solving classes and excavations round out the programme and offer insights into academic research at real archaeological sites, allowing students to earn a specialized degree while focusing on their particular fields of interest.
At the same time, the programme supports interdisciplinary learning. In addition to their main subject, students on the programme select a subsidiary subject from the field of Ancient Civilization Studies or another academic field, giving them the opportunity to gain different perspectives and learn new skills.
Archaeology and Ancient Civilization Studies can be chosen as the main subject (93 ECTS credits) or the subsidiary subject (27 ECTS credits) of a dual-subject Master's degree programme (total of 120 ECTS credits) with a standard period of study of four semesters.
Whether you decide to study Archaeology and Ancient Civilization Studies as your main or as your subsidiary subject, you will choose one of the four following areas of focus:
- Ancient History
- Classical Archaeology
- Classical Philology
- Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology
Students can also choose one of the areas of focus as their main subject and another as their subsidiary subject.
The course content in the main subject depends on your chosen area of focus. Each area of focus comprises mandatory modules, which students study in their entirety, and a mandatory electives section, from which students can select their preferred courses. The proportion of mandatory modules and mandatory elective courses depends on the area of focus. Students who have chosen Archaeology and Ancient Civilization Studies as their main subject complete their Master's thesis in their chosen area of focus.
Detailed information on individual modules can be found in the module catalogue.
The Master's programme in Archaeology and Ancient Civilization Studies qualifies graduates for a diverse range of careers in academia and research, museums, curatorial work, cultural education, monument preservation, rescue archaeology, documentation and archival work, librarianship, cultural management, public relations, the charitable sector and continuing and adult education.
The degree programme also prepares students for career paths beyond those directly related to the subject. Students on the programme develop interdisciplinary core skills that can be applied in research, the private sector, administration and social impact careers. The programme's strong international focus provides graduates a strong foundation for success in today's international labour market.
The Master's degree programme also qualifies graduates for doctoral studies and a career in research.
To study Archaeology and Ancient Civilization Studies as a main subject, students must: hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent university qualification with a grade of at least 2,7 on the German academic grading scale in Ancient Civilization Studies, one of the focus areas of Ancient Civilization Studies, or in Visual Culture or a related subject for students choosing Classical Archaeology as a focus area
- fulfil the subject-specific qualifications depending on their chosen focus area as described in section 2(2) of the subject-specific examination regulations
- demonstrate a strong personal motivation and interest in the subject in an admissions interview
To study Archaeology and Ancient Civilization Studies as a subsidiary subject, students must:
- hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent university qualification with at least 22 ECTS credits in a subject related to their chosen focus area, or in Visual Culture or a related subject for students choosing Classical Archaeology as a focus area
- fulfil the subject-specific qualifications depending on their chosen focus area as described in section 2(2) of the subject-specific examination regulations
Students can begin this programme at the beginning of the winter or summer semester. However, it is recommended that students begin studying in the winter semester. The application period runs:
- to 31 August if you plan to begin studying in the winter semester
- from the beginning of December to the last day in February if you want to start in the summer semester
International applicants who do not have certified proof of proficiency in German must apply:
- by 15 July if they plan to begin studying in the winter semester
- by 15 January if they plan to start in the summer semester
Applications for admission are submitted online via Saarland University's student information management (SIM) portals. If you have any questions about using the SIM portals, please check out our SIM Saarland help pages.
Please note that if you plan to study a dual-subject Master’s degree programme, you must also specify one main subject and one subsidiary subject. To find out which subject pairings are allowed, please refer to the table of permitted subject combinations. You can only enrol if you have been accepted for admission in both your main subject and your subsidiary subject.
Applicants whose pre-university education credentials were obtained in a country other than Germany
Applicants who do not have adequate proof of proficiency in German at the application deadline can apply as an external candidate to take the DSH language exam (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang), which is the German language proficiency test for foreign applicants seeking admission to higher education, or they can apply for a place on the preparatory German course at Saarland University (ISZ Saar – International Study Centre Saar).
Please note that to pass the DSH exam for the purposes of admission to a Master's study programme, you will need to demonstrate an advanced level of German (equivalent to CEFR level C1). Applicants whose proficiency in German is lower than C1 can apply to join the preparatory German course.
Please also note that different deadlines apply for applicants who do not yet have the required level of proficiency in German (15 January for a summer semester start, 15 July for a winter semester start). Applications for admission to the Master’s programme will only be processed if they are submitted before the relevant deadline.
- Study regulations (provisional)
- Examination regulations
- Subject-specific examination regulations; main subject (provisional)
- Subject-specific examination regulations; subsidiary subject (provisional)
- Module catalogue
Regulations for the discontinued Master's programme in Ancient Civilization Studies can be found in the directory of official university documents.
| Standard period of study | 4 semesters (full-time study) Part-time study options are available |
| Possible subject combinations | Possible Master's degree subject combinations (in German) |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Restricted entry programme | No |
| Application period | Winter semester: Beginning of June to 31 August Summer semester: Beginning of Dezember to the last day of February |
| Application deadline for applicants without adequate proof of proficiency in German | Winter semester: 15 July Summer semester: 15 January |
| Tuition fees | None |
| Semester fee | See current fee structure |
| Web page | www.altertumswissenschaften.uni-saarland.de |
Course adviser for Ancient History
Heinrich Schlange-Schöningen
Phone: +49 681 302-2020
schlange-schoeningen(at)mx.uni-saarland.de
Course adviser for Classical Archaeology
Britta Özen-Kleine
Phone: +49 681 302-3592
b.oezenkleine(at)mx.uni-saarland.de
Course adviser for Classical Philology
Christoph Catrein
Phone: +49 681 302-3740
c.catrein(at)mx.uni-saarland.de
Studienfachberatung Vor- und Frühgeschichtliche Archäologie
Sabine Hornung
Phone: +49 681 302-3121
sabine.hornung(at)uni-saarland.de
Central Student Advisory Service
Saarbrücken Campus
Building A4 4, Ground floor
Phone: +49 681 302-3513
studienberatung(at)uni-saarland.de
Central Student Advisory Service
Accredited study programmes
Saarland University was one of the first universities in Germany to achieve Quality Assurance Accreditation and has held the Accreditation Council's official quality mark continuously since 2012.
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