The programme starts with the course Cosmopolitan Pasts (7.5 credits). This course is obligatory for students specialising in both archaeology and ancient history on both campuses, and runs at a 50% pace. The Thesis Writing Course (7.5 credits) is also mandatory, and runs across the first year of study. Apart from the two obligatory courses, students can largely design their education according to their interests. At the beginning of the autumn semester, you will design an individual study plan (ISP) together with a Programme Coordinator (Visby) or Director of Studies (Uppsala). At that time, we will look at possible ways to organise your studies, which courses you would like to take, when to work on your thesis project, etc. The ISP is revised every semester, or more often if needed.

The department offers a number of courses, typically at an interval of two years, most of which run at a 50% pace. Most courses are given both in Uppsala and in Visby; some are only given at one of the campuses. The idea is that students take two courses at the same time, or that they take one course while writing their thesis. In addition to the regular courses offered by the department, you can choose a professional practice course (7.5 or 15 credits), or take a course in methodology or your thesis topic, tailored to your needs. You can also choose to take courses given by other departments.

The 45 credit thesis work is divided up and written over the course of several semesters. You can choose to write your thesis work fulltime or half-time while taking courses. Most courses are given in English, but you can choose to write your thesis project in English or Swedish.

Below we have given an example of how you can organise your studies.

Semester 1

Period 1

Cosmopolitan pasts, 7.5 credits.

Historical Ecology, 7.5 credits.

Thesis Writing Course, 3.5 hp. (Runs across the whole semester.)

Period 2

From Palace to Polis: from Bronze Age to Iron Age in the Mediterranean 1200-700 BC, 7.5 credits

The Prehistory of the Baltic, 7.5 hp.

Semester 2

Period 3

Blood, meat, wine and incense. Ancient religion in practice and theory, 7.5 credits

Africa: food, metals and towns, 7.5 hp.

Thesis Writing Course, 4 credits. (Runs over the whole semester.)

Period 4

Advanced Fieldcourse in Archaeology, 15 hp.

Semester 3

Period 1

Professional practice course, 15 hp.

Period 2

Thesis work, 15 credits

Semester 4

Period 3

Thesis work, 15 credits

Period 4

Thesis work, 15 credits