MA Classics - Focal Area Classical Archaeology
Classical Archaeology is the study of the material remains of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman culture. It encompasses their precursors and legacies, as well as their connections to neighboring cultures; in doing so, the discipline collaborates with related fields. The geographical scope of the discipline corresponds to the spread of Greek and Roman culture across various historical periods. This primarily encompasses Greece, Asia Minor, and Italy, as well as the entire Mediterranean region, and at times also other parts of the Near East and Central Europe.
The MA Classics preserves the strengths of specialized expertise in the classical studies of the ancient world – which are excellently represented in Heidelberg across the individual disciplines – and complements them with a multifaceted, interdisciplinary, and comparative approach to the cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and adjacent regions. Students receive a sound education in their chosen focal area, which qualifies them for a doctorate, whilst at the same time developing a broad interdisciplinary perspective. This enables them to address complex research questions from multiple perspectives and with methodological rigour.
Each focal area pursues specific qualification objectives tailored to the degree programme. The modules offer in-depth study within specific disciplines and ensure eligibility for doctoral studies. The fundamental interdisciplinary approach is reflected in joint courses that transcend disciplinary boundaries.
Subject-specific learning objectives
In addition to visual studies analysis, the Master's programme is structured around three key areas: archaeological theory, fieldwork and museology, which are covered in relation to both Aegean Bronze Age and Greco-Roman culture. Through this broad thematic framework, the skills and competencies of Master's students are developed across the full spectrum of the discipline.
The integration of the institute's own collection of antiquities and plaster casts, as well as the corpus of Minoan and Mycenean seals, into the teaching also deepens student's practical skills during their studies.
Graduates of the Classical Archaeology focal area within the Master's programme in Classics acquire in-depth knowledge of the analysis, interpretation and contextualisation of material culture from the ancient Mediterranean region. They have comprehensive methodological expertise in the critical evaluation of archaeological sources, the reconstruction of historical environments and, depending on their individual specialisation, the application of modern archaeological techniques. Furthermore, graduates are able to situate archaeological findings and artefacts within a broad cultural-historical and theoretical framework and to interpret them using interdisciplinary approaches. Graduates are capable of independently developing academic research questions and professionally applying these both in research and in the communication of archaeological findings.
Homepage Institute of Classical Archaeology and Byzantine Archaeology
Courses
All courses in Classical Archaeology and the other focal areas of the Master’s programme can be viewed via heiCO.
Please note that the registration periods for courses in the individual specialisation areas and related degree programmes vary. Information on the relevant periods can be found on the institutes’ websites and on heiCO.
The registration periods for Classical Archaeology courses for the winter semester are as follows:
14 September – 12 October 2026: Einführungskurs, Beschreibungsübung, Tutorium Vorlesungen
14 September – 5 October 2026: Proseminare, Haupt- und Oberseminare, Übungen und Praktische Übungen
Withdrawal from courses is possible until 23 October 2026.
