With Global Archaeology at Leiden University you study key developments in past societies that have shaped global history from comparative and regional perspectives. Investigate major transitions in history from the origins of our species to the emergence of capitalism in diverse regions including the Near East, the Mediterranean, Europe and the Americas.

What does this master's programme entail?

Global Archaeology will allow you to engage with key scholars working in the Near East, the Mediterranean, Europe and the Americas and from the earliest hominins up to the era of industrialisation.

It will challenge you to study major development in our history on the basis of the remains of past societies and to think how these past events, such as for example the rise of urbanism, or our abilities to transform our surroundings, came about.

You can select your chronological or regional focus in Global Archaeology.

Why Global Archaeology at Leiden University?

• Study at one of the global centres of excellence in archaeological research and teaching, that is consistently in the top ten of the world.
• Work with data and experts on the archaeology of Europe, the Near East, the Mediterranean, and the Americas on topics ranging from millions of year ago to the present.
• Benefit from our large network in international research and our many fieldwork projects.
• Gain a solid basis for a national or international career in the archaeology or heritage sectors.

Career prospects

Open up a world of opportunities with your master's degree in Archaeology from Leiden University!

Broad array of skills

The broad array of skills that you will acquire as an archaeologist will make you an attractive target for a wide range of employers. These skills will equip you for a variety of positions in the Netherlands or abroad, in government or in business. They will also make you an objective, critical and, above all, articulate and creative thinker.

Creative thinkers have the ability to draw logical and accurate conclusions from incomplete information, and to come up with practical and original solutions. This ability will make you a great fit with many different professions.

Stepping-stone to the job market

Your archaeology master’s can be a stepping-stone up to a career in almost every sector of the job market. It is the winning combination of practical knowledge and academic skills that fuels employers’ demand for Leiden University’s archaeology graduates.

Our graduates find employment as:

• field archaeologists
• researchers
• PhD candidates at Leiden University or other universities
• policy advisors at governmental institutes or NGOs
• consultants with independent or commercial companies
• museum curators
• cultural resource managers (Heritage)
• university or secondary school teachers
• journalists
• publishers
• public relations officers
• project managers
• digital education officers at museums
• digital specialists