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Pre-Master’s programme

Archaeology

This pre-Master's programme is aimed at students with an academic Bachelor's degree or a Bachelor's degree from a University of Applied Sciences (such as Dutch HBO) that does not grant direct access to the Master's Archaeology. The programme is taught in English.

If you successfully complete the pre-Master’s programme within a year, you will automatically be admitted to the Master’s Archaeology. However, you do need to complete the programme within one year, as you cannot start the Master's without fully meeting the entry requirements. After completing the pre-Master's programme you will not receive a diploma or certificate.

Provisional programme

The schedule below is a provisional programme to give you an impression of the courses you will have to take. The Course Catalogue for the new academic year will be published in May.

Please note: if you have obtained an academic Bachelor’s degree, you do not need to take the two Academic Skills courses (2 x 6 ECTS), which means that the programme will comprise 30 ECTS instead of 42 ECTS.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Academic Skills pre-Master's
    12
  • What is Archaeology?
    6
  • Archaeology of Cult
    6
  • Theory in Archaeology
    6
  • Archaeological Materials in Context
    6
  • Restricted-choice electives
    6

    Choose from: - Archaeology and Society - Field School 1

Compulsory course
Elective
UvA Course Catalogue: pre-Master's Archaeology

Application deadlines

Please check the deadlines below very carefully, because they are strict. Missing one of the deadlines means that your application cannot be processed. 

  • I have a Dutch nationality

    Register in Studielink (see step 1 of the application process)
    8 May 2024, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 2)
    15 May 2024, 23:59 CET

  • I have an EU/EEA-nationality

    If you wish to apply for housing

    Register in Studielink (see step 1 of the application process)
    23 February 2024, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 2)
    1 March 2024, 23:59 CET
     

    If you do NOT wish to apply for housing

    Register in Studielink (see step 1 of the application process)
    8 May 2024, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 2)
    15 May 2024, 23:59 CET

  • I have a non-EU/EEA nationality

    Register in Studielink (see step 1 of the application process)
    23 February 2024, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 2)
    1 March 2024, 23:59 CET

    Important information regarding visa

    If you need a visa for your stay in the Netherlands, please note that the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) only issues visas to pre-Master's students for the duration of one year. If you do not complete the programme in one year, you cannot continue your studies anywhere in the Netherlands.

Application procedure

Your application to the Graduate School of Humanities always starts by submitting an enrolment request in Studielink and MyInfo application for the Master's programme you wish to pursue, even if you think you are eligible for the pre-Master’s programme.

An enrolment request in Studielink for the pre-Master’s programme alone is not sufficient and will not be taken into consideration.

  • 1. Submit an enrolment request in Studielink for the Master's Archaeology

    All students applying will need to start their application by submitting an enrolment request in Studielink, the Dutch online system for students applying for a degree programme at a Dutch university.

    Applicants for the pre-Master's in Archaeology need to submit an enrolment request in Studielink for the Master's in Archaeology. Please note: even if you think you are eligible for the pre-Master’s programme, you must start your application by submitting an enrolment request for the Master's in Archaeology.

    It is extremely important that you register in Studielink at least 48 hours before the application deadline (see above). This is to ensure that you receive your login information (UvAnetID) in time to fill in your UvA application in MyInfo (see step 3).

    Register via Studielink Enrol in the Master's in Archaeology
  • 2. Pay the application fee (international prior education only)

    All students applying for a (pre-)Master’s programme with a non-Dutch degree must pay a non-refundable application fee of €100. The UvA cannot start processing your application until this fee has been paid. You can pay the application fee by credit card (Master or Visacard) or iDEAL.

    You do not have to pay the application fee:

    • If you have obtained or will obtain a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences (HBO);
    • If you have already applied and paid the application fee for another Master’s programme at the UvA for the academic year 2024-2025;
    • If you have already applied and paid the application fee for a Master's programme at the Graduate School of Humanities for the academic year 2023-2024;
    • If you have started a UvA Master’s programme in 2021, 2022 or 2023.
  • 3. Submit a complete application in MyInfo

    Complete all of the steps of the application process for the Master's programme, including the application in MyInfo and the submission of all required application documents. This includes proof of English/Dutch language proficiency that meets our requirements.

  • 4. Wait for the admission decision

    The Admissions Board will assess your prior education and determine whether you are directly admissible to the Master’s programme, admissible to the Master’s programme after first completing the pre-Master’s programme, or not admissible to the (pre)Master’s programme.

  • 5. After admission decision

    If you are admissible to the pre-Master’s programme, you will receive a letter of conditional admission with the steps you need to take to become fully enrolled.

    Please be aware that all pre-Master’s programmes offered by the Graduate School of Humanities must be completed within one academic year. Extensions are not possible.

Costs

The tuition fee rate for a pre-Master’s programme in the academic year 2024-2025 is €42.17 per ECTS, with a maximum of €2,530. This means that for a 42 ECTS pre-Master’s programme, the fee is €1,771; for a 30 ECTS programme, the fee is €1,265.

Alternative routes

If you are following an academic Bachelor's programme, it may also be possible to fulfil the admission requirements for a Master's degree programme by completing a minor during your Bachelor's, instead of a pre-Master's programme after finishing your Bachelor's. 

Minors in the Humanities
Facts & Figures
Mode
Full-time
Credits
30/42 ECTS, 12 months
Language of instruction
English
Conditions for admission
University of applied sciences degree (HBO)
Academic/research university degree (WO)
Starts in
September