Master of Arts in Archaeology

The Archaeology programme does more than simply study archaeological finds. It aims to reconstruct and shed a light on the history of humankind in all its aspects. Our programme offers a solid methodological base and practical skills. In addition, our course units all aim at critical and independent thought vis-à-vis the discipline of archaeology and archaeological sources, and the ability to disseminate research results to a wide audience. Our one-year Master’s curriculum succeeds a three-year Bachelor’s curriculum. The aim is to deliver archaeologists who are able to conduct specialized academic research in an independent manner, and who can take up senior positions (leading excavations, projects, ...) successfully. Equipped as they are with critical thought and an independent research attitude, our archaeologists will be in high demand to keep up with various societal processes in today’s fast-changing society, giving archaeology and ever-increasing role.

For our Master's students, sufficient mastery of archaeological techniques is key. Our students have to be able to understand and valorize the relevance of our discipline and how it relates to society adequately. We give you the opportunity to conduct your own academic research, which ultimately culminates in writing a Master's dissertation.

Another important aspect is field work. It is an indispensable aspect of an archaeologist’s training, especially at times when preventive and rescue archaeology gains increasing importance in Europe (cf. the Valletta Treaty). Through further participation in fieldwork and other related activities ((museum) management, etc...) we want to prepare our students for the practical side of field archaeology and archaeology research. One of the possibilities is a work placement abroad.

In addition, we focus on oral skills by means of discussion groups and workshops, during which recent academic research (by members of our department or by others) is discussed.

In addition to the (domain) Master’s programme described above, you can also choose a Master’s Programme in Teaching (in Dutch: Educatieve Master). Find out more at www.ugent.be/educatievemaster(in Dutch).

In the first place, we train our students to become fully-fledged archaeologists. They find employment at universities (academic research), in archaeological companies (private sector), in museums and other academic institutions. The Valletta Treaty and its “destroyer pays-principle” makes for opportunities for many in Europe. It has caused a steep rise in the number of field archaeologists on the one hand, and an expanded role for archaeologists in the management and academic research of archaeological heritage, and in spatial planning. Our alumni are in high demand abroad as well (e.g. The Netherlands and France).

A number of Archaeology graduates looks for employment beyond archaeological fieldwork, management and academic research, not without success. Other employment possibilities are, among other things, administrative positions in the public and private sectors, commercial positions, the public relations and cultural sectors, librarianship and journalism. In addition to being tailored to a specific profession, our study programme is in fact also an all-round Master’s programme that gives access to various career paths.