Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master's program in Archaeological Sciences and Human Evolution is a two-year, research-oriented program that addresses the broad spectrum of natural science applications to answer archaeological and historical questions.

Key Data on Study Program

• Faculty: Science
• Academic Degree: Master
• Restricted admission: Yes, in the first semester
• Regular duration of studies: 4 semesters
• Is a combination subject required?: No
• Application deadline for Germans and EU citizens: Winter semester: 15.06
• Application deadline for non-EU citizens: Winter semester: 15.06
• Program start: Winter semester
• Language of instruction: English
• Costs: Tuition and other fees

Requirements and Application

On what criteria are applicants selected?

The study program is admission-restricted, which means you have to apply for admission. You can only start the program in the winter term.

• Besides the standard documents, you need the following additional documents for your application:
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency, Level B2
  • CV
  • Letter of Motivation, naming 1-2 specializations that you wish to pursue

Which requirements must I meet for studies?

• Admission to the master's program is open to students who have completed a bachelor's degree with a total of 180 credit points (or a comparable degree program) with a grade of 2.5 or better.
• Different prerequisites apply to the various specializations (see examination regulations).
• In principle, the Institute of Natural History Archaeology would like to admit students with a B.A. degree in archaeology (with additional knowledge in natural sciences) as well as with a B.Sc. degree in natural sciences (with additional knowledge in archaeology).

Which languages must I know?

• In accordance with the objectives of an international study program, most of the teaching is held in English and only in exceptional cases in German.
• A certificate of proficiency in English (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required.

Which other subjects can I combine with my main subject?

• The Archaeological Science and Human Evolution program cannot be complemented with a minor subject.

Program Details

Which topics are dealt with in the program?

• The M.Sc. Archaeological Science and Human Evolution is a two-year, research-oriented program that addresses the broad spectrum of natural science applications to answer archaeological and historical questions.
• Students are given an overview of the various subjects in natural history archaeology, particularly in the first semester, and then specialize in one of the disciplines of archaeobotany, archaeometry, geoarchaeology, paleoanthropology, archaeo- and paleogenetics, stone age archaeology, or zooarchaeology.
• The program does not focus on specific periods or regions, but rather focuses on methods and topics.

What is special about the Tübingen program?

• The study programs of the Institute for Archaeological Sciences are linked to the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment Tübingen, Schöningen.
• From October 2009, the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (SHEP) was established at the Eberhard Karls University Tübingen.
• In May 2017, SHEP was confirmed as an institute of the Leibniz Association.
• SHEP comprises the following seven research groups of the Department of Geosciences:
  • Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology (Prof. Nicholas Conard Ph.D.)
  • Archaeo- and Paleogenetics (Juniorprof. Dr. Cosimo Posth)
  • Biogeology (Prof. Dr. Hervé Bocherens)
  • Geoarchaeology (Prof. Dr. Christopher Miller)
  • Micropaleontology (Dr. Annett Junginger)
  • Paleoanthropology (Prof. Dr. Katerina Harvati)
  • Paleontology (Prof. Dr. Madelaine Böhme)

How is the program structured?

• The two-year M.Sc. course „Archaeological Science and Human Evolution“ is a research-oriented study program focusing on the broad range of natural scientific applications to answer archaeological and historical questions.
• In the first semester, students get an overview over the diverse cases of natural scientific archaeology, to then specify in one of these cases afterwards.
• The study program mediates methods and issues and is not focused on certain regions or periods.

Is study abroad expected?

• Optional time abroad: You may choose to spend some time abroad as part of any study program.
• You should start planning it 12 to 18 months before your departure.
• Here you will find general information and advice on studying abroad.
• In addition, some departments have their own subject-specific services providing information on studying abroad.

After Your Studies

Career Prospects

• Graduates will work in research institutes, universities, heritage agencies, environmental agencies, planning offices, excavation companies, prospecting companies, but also, for example, in science journalism and other professional fields.
• Graduates have advantages in the archaeological job market as they have additional qualifications that are not taught in traditional archaeological degree programs.

Doctorate Options

• For information see the website Faculty of Science - Doctoral Studies.

Join the Alumni Society

• Information about the Alumni of Tübingen.