Master's Programme in Archaeology

The Master's Programme in Archaeology starts with two compulsory courses, followed by a range of elective courses offered by the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History or by other departments at the Faculty of Arts. The first compulsory course is Perspectives on the Past: Applied Theory and Method. It runs at 50% of a full-time study load and you will take the course together with students from the Master's Programmes in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History and in Egyptology. The second compulsory course, The Craft of Research, runs throughout the first semester and provides the foundation for the writing of your Master's thesis.

You will design your education according to your interests. At the beginning of the first semester, you will establish an Individual Study Plan (ISP) together with the programme coordinator or Director of Studies. At that time, you will decide how to plan your studies; which courses to take, when to write your Master's thesis, etc. The ISP is revised as required.

The Department offers a number of courses, which normally run at 50% of a full-time study load. The idea behind this is that you should read two courses in parallel, or read one course while working on your thesis project. Apart from the courses offered by the Department, which vary from semester to semester over a two-year cycle, you can choose to take an internship (worth 7.5 or 15 credits), or take an individually designed in-depth course or a method course (7,5 credits) relevant to the field. You may also take courses offered by other departments at the university. Most of the Department's courses are offered both in Uppsala and Visby, but some are only given at one campus.

You will write a 45-credit Master's thesis. It is divided up into three modules and written over several semesters. You can choose to devote your full attention to the thesis, or read a course at the same time.

Courses within the programme

You have the opportunity to arrange your own course of study in consultation with the Director of Studies. Below is an example of what such a study programme might look like for the full two-year programme.

Semester 1

• Perspectives on the Past: Applied Theory and Method, 7.5 credits (compulsory)
• The Craft of Research, 7.5 credits (compulsory)
• Elective courses, 15 credits

Semester 2

• Advanced field course in archaeology, 15 credits
• Thesis module 1, 7.5 credits
• Elective course, 7.5 credits

Semester 3

• Elective courses, 22.5 hp
• Thesis module 2, 7.5 hp

Semester 4

• Thesis module 3, 30 hp

Teaching typically includes between two and four hours of seminars and lectures each week.

Between seminars, you are expected to read and digest texts and sometimes also discuss them with other students. Some courses have a more practical orientation, such as internships, courses on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and archaeological excavations in the field. You are expected to study 40 hours per week throughout the programme.

Course assessment is normally continuous and based on your active participation in seminars and assessed work. It may also consist of a longer essay submitted at the end of the course. The programme is taught in English. Written assignments can be submitted in either English or Swedish.

The programme is offered both in Uppsala and at Campus Gotland in Visby. You should choose to take either the programme in Uppsala or in Visby. Gotland is an island located in the Baltic Sea between the mainland of Sweden and the Baltic States. Visby is a World Heritage site, and is the best-preserved Medieval city in Scandinavia.

Previous students have found work as:

• archaeologists,
• museum curators and educators,
• investigators for the public sector,
  
• tour leaders and guides,
• cultural writers,
  
• teachers,
• forensic scientists and researchers.

Graduates have found jobs working with the Swedish Heritage Board, the County Administrative Board in Uppsala, and the police force (forensic section), and jobs requiring knowledge of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) within local and national government agencies, museums in Sweden and internationally. With a Master's degree in Archaeology, you are able to apply for further PhD studies in the field.

The Department holds networking events in the areas of archaeology, museums and cultural heritage management where students can meet alumni who can provide insights into the job market as they prepare to graduate.

Career support

During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.