Master Archaeology of the Ancient World • Department of History and Cultural Studies

The application period for Autumn 2025 opens mid-May 2025

Our program

Archaeology of the Ancient World (AAW) is a two-year, full-time Master’s program taught in English. It brings together three disciplines – Prehistoric Archaeology, Near Eastern Archaeology, and Classical Archaeology – to approach the past of the Mediterranean region, Eurasia, and southwest Asia.
The program introduces you to a part of the world that has seen intense processes of transformation and abundant intercultural and inter-societal contacts during the last ten thousand years. You will acquire theoretical skills in dealing with scholarly arguments and practical skills in handling artefacts and analysing data.
As a consecutive program, AAW builds on knowledge about the past acquired through the study of ancient material culture during a Bachelor's program or through professional qualification. Acceptance to the program requires excellent English language skills (C1 level CEFR) and a Bachelor's degree with at least 60 credit points in archaeology-related courses.
The Master's program is tuition-free for all students, irrespective of their country of origin.

Why study the Ancient World?

The past is the archive of humanity‘s experiences. Archaeology – because of its scientific approach – is the most unbiased way to learn about those experiences: from how people adapted to environmental change to how aesthetics mirrored intercultural contact; from how samples and observations can reflect a long-gone world to how we can approach past immaterial aspects via the study of material culture today.

Would you like to learn how to think in long-term perspectives, evaluate inferences from silent sources and discerning statements based on arguments from mere narratives? How about combining library expertise with practical excavation skills? Or scrutinizing tiny artefacts with the same rigour as comprehending whole city plans? Archaeology teaches you to really look at and think about things, big and small, appealing or gross – and consider the human beings behind them.

Do you possess excellent English language skills (at least level C1 CEFR)? Do you hold a Bachelor's degree with at least 60 credit points in courses related to the archaeology of the ancient world?

Then the MA AAW may be the right program for you.

Apply here with a degree from Germany (FUB portal)

Apply here with a degree from a country other than Germany (uni-assist)

Seven more reasons to study at FU Berlin

Go beyond disciplinary boundaries

In this program, three disciplines related to archaeology and the ancient world are integrated. As a student, you will gain access to a vast academic and professional network, connect with peers from related Master’s programs, and collaborate with internationally renowned scholars from the participating disciplines. The institutes involved are part of the Department of History and Cultural Studies, which offers excellent teaching and research opportunities across a wide range of fields. FU Berlin ranks among the top 100 universities worldwide and is recognized as one of the best universities in Germany.

Connect across institutions

The program fosters cooperation among departments and universities in Berlin and beyond. The participating institutes maintain collaborations with several museums and the German Archaeological Institute.

Tailor your program

The curriculum provides a solid methodological foundation for interdisciplinary work while offering flexibility and a wide range of electives. This allows you to customize your studies according to your personal interests and career aspirations.

Master Archaeology of the Ancient World

Gain professional and research experience

The program offers opportunities to engage with ongoing research in archaeology and gain professional experience through internships. This is a chance to enhance your skills in various environments, including cultural and archaeological institutions, publishing houses, excavations, and NGOs. The FU Berlin career service supports your internship endeavors.

Career Service

Become Part of an International Network

Freie Universität boasts an outstanding international network for teaching and research and is a member of the UNA Europa university alliance. Additionally, the archaeological institutes involved in the AAW program have numerous Erasmus partnerships, which you can benefit from during your MA studies.

Explore Berlin, academic and otherwise

Berlin offers a unique array of scholarly and cultural institutions related to archaeology and the ancient world, including the Vorderasiatisches Museum, Antikensammlung Berlin, Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte, and the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin Preußischer Kulturbesitz, which houses a world-famous manuscript collection. Other notable institutions include the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, the German Archaeological Institute, and the open-air museum in Düppel. Beyond academic pursuits, Berlin is rich in cultural and natural experiences, including its beautiful city parks.

Take the opportunity to learn German

Proficiency in German not only enhances your experience in Germany during your Master’s program but also enriches your personal profile. Freie Universität offers free German courses starting at level A2 for all international students enrolled in English-taught Master’s programs.

Sprachzentrum

Calendar

Contact

Direct all your inquiries to the program's coordinator Maaike Groot via ma-aaw@geschkult.fu-berlin.de.

Please note: We will not answer MAAAW-related emails sent to our individual personal mail addresses. MAAAW-related emails must be sent to the email address specified above.

For letter post use:

MA Archaeology of the Ancient World (MAAAW)

PD Dr. Maaike Groot

Institut für Prähistorische Archäologie

Department of History and Cultural Studies

Fabeckstraße 23/25

14195 Berlin