Master’s Programme Archaeological Studies

The Master’s Programme Archaeological Studies is aimed at graduates of the Bachelor’s Programme in Archaeological Studies and at Austrian and international students with a comparable Bachelor’s degree. It serves to advance the archaeological education from the Stone Age to the present on the basis of material culture, especially in the (pre-) Alpine and Mediterranean area and has its place at the interface of history, cultural and natural sciences. In addition to a sound theoretical education, students acquire in-depth knowledge of applied research methods in the sense of research-led teaching, in particular in the practical area such as the preparation, organisation, management and implementation of archaeological excavations and research projects, in the field of conservation, restoration, scientific processing and subsequent museum presentation of archaeological find complexes. The following areas are offered in Innsbruck: Prehistory and Early History, Near Eastern Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Provincial Roman Archaeology and Medieval and Modern Archaeology.

Graduates understand the importance of dealing with material culture as a source of knowledge for expansive subject areas. They acquire the skills to process archaeological source material independently and on their own responsibility, i.e. to analyse it with theory-based questions and to evaluate it with the help of archaeological, historical and natural science methods. They are able to interpret the results obtained, to situate them in their historical-cultural context, to classify them in terms of the history of science and to take an independent critical position vis-à-vis existing scientific and popular views, theories, ideologies and dogmas. They possess the competence to present the facts resulting from their independent research in a critical, factual and clear manner, i.e. they can present, communicate and put them up for discussion at different levels. Through the examination and respectful treatment of the cultural heritage of the past, students gain an understanding of the diversity of human cultures, i.e. different historical, political, cultural and religious positions, traditions and values.

The Master’s Programme Archaeological Studies qualifies graduates for jobs in research or teaching institutions, such as universities and academies, in institutions for the preservation of historical monuments, in museums and in the field of freelance archaeological work, in accordance with the primary job profiles. In addition to preparing for specialist archaeological
professions, students acquire competences and key qualifications that enable them to work in fields of work and professions with very different requirement profiles:

• Museology, collections and exhibitions
• Preservation of historical monuments and cultural assets
• Private archaeological service providers (excavation companies ...)
• Tourism, cultural travel, cultural education
• Art trade (galleries, auction houses)
• Archive, library and documentation services
• Public service (culture, education, diplomacy)
• Subject-specific adult and vocational training
• Cultural management, cultural policy and public relations
• Press and media relations (print and audio-visual media)
• Publishing and book trade, journalism

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