COURSE CURRICULUM

The master’s specialisation in Applied Archaeology is designed to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of professional archaeology in a dynamic, multicultural, and politically sensitive environment. The program begins with the course Current Issues in Applied Archaeology, which introduces students to the complexity of the field in today’s world, encouraging them to critically reflect on the role of archaeology in contemporary society. This is followed by Prospective Archaeology, where students encounter the multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary dimensions of archaeological research and heritage management. Here, they learn how to design research proposals and gain practical experience through the Internship in Applied Archaeology, an essential element of the program that allows students to connect their academic studies with real-world applications.In addition, students take a course in Archaeological Theory and choose an area profile to specialise in. This can be focused on the Netherlands, but students may also opt for the Mediterranean, the Near East, the Americas, or Europe, depending on their interests and career goals. Two elective courses allow further customisation of the program. A significant part of the specialisation is dedicated to the thesis or graduation project, which can take the form of an academic paper on topics such as landscape modelling or archaeological expectation mapping. Notably, students have the option to write their final assignments and thesis in Dutch if preferred.The educational approach combines lectures, seminars, and tutorials with a strong emphasis on active participation. While lectures provide broad academic knowledge, the seminars and tutorials focus on deeper engagement with material through discussion, presentations, and assignments. The study load is intensive, averaging 40 hours per week, and includes a wide range of activities such as fieldwork, excursions, literature study, exams, and report writing. Assessment is varied, including written exams, oral presentations, research papers, and project work. With a study year accounting for 60 credits (ECTS), the program ensures that graduates leave with both advanced theoretical knowledge and extensive practical skills, making them well-prepared for careers in archaeology, heritage management, or further academic research.