Welcome to our versatile Archaeology programme, judged best in the Netherlands for the last 10 years, which will help you become a top-level archaeologist. All pre-university profiles are accepted!
The Bachelor’s degree programme in Archaeology at the University of Groningen, taught mainly in Dutch, allows you to study cultures from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages, and the Mediterranean all the way up to the Arctic region.
In your first year, you will take introductory classes in Mediterranean (Classical) Archaeology, Archaeology of the Netherlands, and Arctic Archaeology, as well as in the history, methods and materials of the field, and finish with one month of fieldwork. In your second year, you will learn about bioarchaeological approaches and choose from a range of in-depth courses in Classical and Mediterranean Archaeology or Archaeology of North-West Europe and you will have practicals on bioarchaeology (seeds/pollen/animal and human bone material). The year is closed with a field trip abroad and participation in an excavation in the Netherlands or abroad. In your third year, you will follow a Minor at the UG or other university in the Netherlands or abroad and complete your Bachelor’s degree programme by writing a thesis.
With your Bachelor's degree in hand, you an continue on to the one-year Master’s programme in Archaeology. Students who perform exceptionally and who enjoy doing research can enter the two-year Research Master’s programme in Archaeology.
In your first year you will follow course units in the following fields:
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Arctische Archeologie (5 EC) | ||||
| Griekse Archeologie in de 21e eeuw (5 EC) | ||||
| Prehistorie van Nederland (5 EC) | ||||
| Archeologie van de Romeinse Wereld (5 EC) | ||||
| Conservatie en Archeometrie (5 EC) | ||||
| Historische Archeologie (5 EC) | ||||
| Bioarcheologie (5 EC) | ||||
| Geschiedenis en theorie van de Archeologie I (5 EC) | ||||
| Materiaalkennis (5 EC) | ||||
| Archeologisch veldwerk I (10 EC) | ||||
| Geoarcheologie (5 EC) | ||||
Your second year will include several electives: in the first semester, you will follow the course units that are most interesting to you. In the second semester, you will follow course units in Biological Archaeology (archaeozoology, archaeobotany and osteoarchaeology). You will also participate in a major research excavation and join a field trip abroad.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Cultural Anthropology (5 EC) | ||||
| Archaeology: Italy and the Roman Empire (Keuzegroep A, 2 vakken kiezen uit deze groep) (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| From Agamemnon to Alexander (Keuzegroep A, 2 vakken kiezen uit deze groep) (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Handelaren en Koningen (Keuzegroep A, 2 vakken kiezen uit deze groep) (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Jager-Verzamelaars & Vroege Boeren (Keuzegroep A, 2 vakken kiezen uit deze groep) (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Archeologische Gegevensanalyse (5 EC) | ||||
| Archeobotanie (5 EC) | ||||
| Human Osteoarchaeology (5 EC) | ||||
| Zooarchaeology (5 EC) | ||||
| Archeologisch veldwerk en excursie II: KMA (Keuzegroep B, één van de twee varianten kiezen) (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Archeologisch veldwerk en excursie II: P en P (Keuzegroep B, één van de twee varianten kiezen) (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Integrated Bioarchaeology (5 EC) | ||||
The first semester of the third year enables you to follow a Minor outside the field of archaeology or to spend time studying abroad. In the second semester, you will be introduced to spatial analyses and conservation of monuments/heritage, follow a second theoretical course unit, and write your Bachelor's thesis.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Minor (semester 1) (30 EC) | ||||
| Mens en Materiële Cultuur (5 EC) | ||||
| Ruimtelijke Analyse (Keuzegroep C, één vak kiezen) (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Themes in Bioarchaeology (Keuzegroep C, één vak kiezen) (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Theorie en Praktijk (5 EC) | ||||
| Bachelor's Thesis Archaeology and Research Seminar (10 EC) | ||||
| Archeologie tussen Monumentenzorg en Politiek (keuzegroep D, één vak kiezen) (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Mediterranean Connections (keuzegroep D, één vak kiezen) (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Programme options |
|---|
| Minors (minor) A Minor is a coherent set of courses that support you in your next career step: the choice of a specific Master's degree programme or access to the labour market. Besides that the Faculty minor gives you the opportunity to look beyond your field of study. A Minor comprises 30 ECTS. |
| University of Groningen Honours College (honours program) The Honours College will give talented, motivated students the chance to be challenged even more by following Honours programmes and taking part in numerous other activities. The Honours College comprises a broadening part and a deepening part and has a study load of 30 ECTS credit points besides the 180 ECTS credit points from your regular Bachelor programme. |
There will be an opportunity in the first semester of the third year to spend time at a foreign university. We currently have partnerships with a number of universities, including Leicester (UK), Aarhus (Denmark), Ghent (Belgium), Venice, and Rome (Italy). If you would like to study abroad, please contact to the coordinator, Lidewijde de Jong (lidewijde.de.jong rug.nl).
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Taaleis Engels: een VWO diploma, deelcertificaat voor VWO Engels (cijfer 6 of hoger), minimum TOEFL eis iBT 90 (met een minimum van 21 voor alle onderdelen), of IELTS 6.5 (met een minimum van 6 voor alle onderdelen). Cambridge C1 Advanced of C2 Proficiency met een minimum score van 180. Klik op de link voor meer informatie: https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/bachelor/aanmelding-en-inschrijving/language-requirements-ba
The degree programme will organize a matching procedure. Attendance is optional. The advice is not binding.
De Faculteit der Letteren gaat er van uit dat jij, via een bezoek aan de Open dagen, deelname aan een Eén Dag student en/of aan een Webklas, jezelf goed hebt voorbereid op de opleiding van jouw keuze. Op basis van deze voorlichtingsactiviteiten bepaal jijzelf of je goed matcht met de opleiding.
Vragen over matching bij de Faculteit der Letteren? Hier kun je verdere informatie vinden: www.rug.nl/matching
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
The Faculty of Arts believes students can decide for themselves whether they match with their chosen program based on the available bachelor program information, by visiting the Open Days, and by participating in a Webclass and/ or Student for a Day. If you are unable to attend one of these activities, a final opportunity for matching is to contact one of the students of the program in June.
If you have any further questions about matching, check out: www.rug.nl/matching
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Requirements for International diploma holders: see Admissions Guide. It contains the criteria for all International VWO equivalents: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/application-informatie/with-non-dutch-diploma/entry-requirements/bachelor-entry-requirements/vwo-equivalent-qualifications. |
| language test |
International students will have to satisfy an additional Dutch language requirement, which can be met by passing the State Examination in Dutch as a Second Language (NT2, programme II). This examination guarantees Dutch proficiency at CEFR level B2. However, Dutch proficiency at CEFR level C1 or higher is recommended. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
If you want to continue with a Master's degree programme after your graduation, as most students do, you will have a wide range of programmes to choose from. With a Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, you have access to the following Master's tracks at the University of Groningen:
There are currently plenty of job opportunities for Archaeology graduates thanks to the legal requirement that archaeological research has to be conducted prior to any new building activity. Many graduates find jobs with archaeology firms that conduct such research. In addition, archaeologists are also needed at government institutions and museums. You could also find a job as a lecturer or researcher at a university.
Teaching and research are closely linked to one another in Archaeology. You will conduct research right from the start of the degree programme.
Archaeology research falls under the renowned Groningen Institute of Archaeology and focuses on:
The Institute has its own modern laboratory facilities, as well as a ‘bone attic’.
Hoi! Ik ben Isaac, ik ben tweedejaars student archeologie aan de RUG en ik woon op kamers in de stad. Ik heb het erg naar mijn zin op de opleiding en ben ook lid van de studievereniging Bachur. Ik vind lezen en sporten erg leuk, ik ben lid van Tjas (de schaatsvereniging) en van de GSAC (de klimvereniging). Ik ben zelf altijd druk bezig met van alles, ik werk op festivals door heel Nederland dus ik kom ook nog eens ergens.
Ik wilde in eerste instantie archeologie doen omdat ik geschiedenis op de middelbare school erg leuk vond. Nu ik bezig ben vind ik het een heerlijke combinatie van onderzoek doen, puzzelen en lekker buiten aan de slag zijn. Ik vind vooral de prehistorie erg interessant en ga me daar ook in specialiseren vanaf dit jaar. Ik heb hiervoor een jaar de HBO-opleiding archeologie aan Saxion gevolgd en hoewel ik dat ook echt heel leuk vond, voel ik mij op mijn plek bij de bachelor archeologie aan de RUG.
Lees meer over Isaac en waarom hij koos voor een studie Archeologie in Groningen!
Are you a pre-university pupil and would you like to find out what studying at university is all about? The Archaeology degree programme offers a web class! A web class is a course offered by the UG via Brightspace (a digital teaching environment) for pupils in the 5th and 6th years of pre-university education. The course involves ten study hours, which serve as an introduction to Archaeology. You read texts, do assignments and hold discussions with other prospective students and a lecturer.
Interested? Sign up for the web class.
Are you curious about the Archaeology programme and would you like to know more about the fieldwork carried out by Bachelor's students? In this video you tag along with students that are digging around a convent in Ter Apel.
The Archaeology programme also has a bone attic. Here you will find the bone collection of the archaeologists of the UG. Based on these bones they learn about the cohabitation of humans and animals in the past. In this video, the collection manager gives a tour of the bone attic.
