Archaeology, full-time, second cycle

New challenges faced by archaeology in the 21st century as well as students' expectations of professional tuition geared towards practical knowledge applicable to future work are main ideas behind the proposed programme of the second-cycle studies in archaeology with instruction in English. The programme is dedicated for candidates from all around the world who want to research ancient cultures, in particular from the Mediterranean, and acquaint themselves with bioarchaeology and osteology or bone taphonomy. Bioarchaeology, as a sub-discipline within archaeology, and the related achievements of the researchers from the Faculty of Archaeology at the University of Warsaw, became a vantage point for establishing second-cycle studies in English several years ago. Currently, they are an element of the general programme of studies dedicated not only to graduates in archaeology, but also candidates of other specialisations who dream about excavations, travelling to interesting places, and working with artefacts, including bones, discovered in the course of archaeological research.

In the course of the programme, students will be required to choose two seminars, according to their interests, and supplement them with facultative courses, as well as two lectures: general academic and monographic. Selected courses will be aimed first and foremost at deepening students’ professional and interdisciplinary knowledge, in particular regarding research challenges in modern archaeology, and preparing them to write and defend their master’s theses.

Similarly to the first-cycle studies, a significant role will be played by practicum:

• field survey, usually performed in spring or autumn;
• excavations, usually performed in summer. The excavations are directed by researchers affiliated by the Faculty of Archaeology at the University of Warsaw, or abroad – in Egypt, Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, Italy (Sicily), South America, and many more locations.

The classes are held in the Main Campus of the University of Warsaw, namely the Main School which has housed the Faculty of Archaeology for over a decade.

Detailed information about the second-cycle full-time studies in English can be found at the website of Faculty of Archaeology.

In the course of the programme, students will gain expertise in particular specialisations within archaeology, practical knowledge in excavating burial grounds as well as handling animal and human remains. At the same time, they will receive general humanist formation enabling them to engage in interdisciplinary cooperation with researchers from other fields of study.

Graduates from the second-cycle studies will be prepared for independent research, as well as working for research and educational institutions, museums, and conservation ateliers.

The master's degree in archaeology combined with appropriate experience in excavations, according to the Monument Protection Act, are necessary for receiving concession for conducting archaeological excavations in Poland.

Admission rules for candidates with Polish diplomas

The results of the oral exam in English will be taken into account in the recruitment procedure, mainly based on the books from the list, which will be published in the IRK system by the date specified in the recruitment resolution and on the website of the Faculty of Archaeology of the University of Warsaw in the recruitment section. The questions will mainly concern general archaeological issues, including history, methodology of archaeology, methods of archaeological research and the specificity of the specialization in which the candidate wants to develop at the second-cycle studies.

Candidates will be assessed on a scale of 0 to 30 points.

Recruitment will be possible for candidates with a master's, bachelor's, engineering or equivalent diploma obtained in any field of study.

The condition for admission to second-cycle full-time studies, within the limit of places, will be obtaining a minimum of 17 points from the oral exam and submission of a complete set of required documents, including a university diploma, within the prescribed period.

Literature for the exam:

1. Bahn, P. (ed.), Archaeology: The Essential Guide to Our Human Past, Smithsonian Books, 2017
2. Balme, J., Paterson, A. (ed.), Archaeology in Practice: a Student Guide to Archaeological Analyses, Oxford, 2014
3. Coles, J.M., Experimental Archaeology, London, 2010
4. Hodder, I., Hutson, S., Reading the Past: Current Approaches to Interpretation in Archaeology, Cambridge, 2003
5. Renfrew, C., Bahn, P., Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice, London, 2012

Admission procedure for candidates with foreign diplomas

Candidates are qualified on the same rules as applicable to candidates with Polish diplomas.

Checking the candidates' language competences

A positive result of the qualification procedure is tantamount to confirmation of the competence of the candidate to study in English (this applies to applicants who do not have a document recognized by the University of Warsaw confirming knowledge of English at least at B2 level).

Information on documents certifying knowledge of English language. >> Check! <<

Deadlines

The exam: 19th-20th of September, 2024, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (exam will be conducted online via Zoom)

Announcement of results: 24th of September, 2024

Reception of documents: 

• I round: 25th-26th of September, 2024
• II round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during I round): 27th, 30th of September, 2024

Payments

Application fee

Student's ID payment (ELS)

Required documents

List of required documents submitted by candidates qualified for studies

Submitting a certificate from an occupational medicine doctor is mandatory.

Additional information 

Find us on the map: Faculty of Archaeology