Sapienza, University of Rome
University of Aix-Marseille
English 100%
Knowledge of German, French, and Italian is welcome, but this is optional.
The designated period of the study programme is four semesters (two years). This programme requires the physical mobility of students between the three partner universities in Europe. Throughout the multiple degree programme, students are enrolled at all three institutions and receive a Master's certificate from Aix, Rome (MA) and Tübingen (MSc) upon successful completion.
Non-EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester
EU applicants: 15 September for the following winter semester
Approx. 1,500 EUR per semester for students from non-EU countries
This Master’s programme in Palaeolithic Archaeology is called “ART-W” in reference to the three partner universities in Europe (Aix-Marseille, Rome and Tübingen) and it is designed as an independent Master’s programme, building upon the curricula of existing programmes in each institution.
The programme is located at the intersection of archaeology, anthropology, palaeoanthropology, and all subjects related to human evolution. The programme focuses on disciplines related to Palaeolithic archaeology, such as Palaeolithic technology, the organisation of Palaeolithic societies and aspects of prehistoric ideology, palaeoanthropology, cultural evolution, zooarchaeology, archaeobotany, and geoarchaeology, among others, as well as numerous topics in human evolution and regional specialisations.
Students can specialise by taking elective courses and through excavations/internships. The offers for this reflect the offers of the three participating CIVIS universities.
The aim of this programme is to provide students with a multidisciplinary, international, multilingual and comprehensive training in disciplines related to Palaeolithic Archaeology. The core of this discipline is to understand the diversity and the variability of past human cultures through time and space as well as the factors that might have influenced cultural evolution. Among others, courses of this Master’s programme will explore topics such as the diversity of environments occupied by Palaeolithic groups and associated cultural expressions, human-animal interactions during the Palaeolithic, the organisation of Palaeolithic societies and aspects of prehistoric ideology, technological and functional aspects of material culture and more.
At the University of Tübingen, students will take courses in English in the first semester as part of the existing MSc in Archaeological Sciences and Human Evolution. Students will be introduced to archaeological sciences and human evolution and build a solid foundation for the following semesters. Students will take three required modules: Theories and Methods in Archaeology, Stone Age Archaeology, Stone Age Societies, and Ideology. They will also choose one of the modules that provide comprehensive introductions to the following disciplines: Archaeobotany, Archaeometry, Geoarchaeology, Palaeoanthropology, Zooarchaeology, and Palaeogenetics. In parallel, they conduct laboratory work, participate in field trips, and visit museums and archaeological sites.
During the second semester in Rome, students will take courses within the existing MA in Mediterranean Archaeology at the Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Antichità. They will choose two required courses: Advances in Palaeolithic Archaeology, Archaeology and Human Diversity, Threatened Archaeology: Threats and Mitigation, and Experimental Archaeology for Use-Wear and Residues Analysis. Students will also choose an elective module based on Archaeometry, When, Where, What, Information Technology for Archaeology, and Human Migrations Mobility and Identities in Life and Death in Prehistory. Students will have the opportunity to work in the LTFAPA laboratory under the direction of Professor Cristina Lemorini, where they will learn the principles of use and residue analysis through macroscopic and microscopic observations using an extensive reference collection of replicas of lithic industries from a variety of raw materials from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. They will also participate in field trips and visit museums and archaeological sites.
During the third semester in Aix-Marseille, students will take courses within the existing MA programme in Archéologie, Sciences pour l'Archéologie at the Faculté des Arts, Lettres, Langues et Sciences Humaines. Students will choose several courses on material culture, including stone and bone technology as well as bioarchaeology and geoarchaeology, including courses on zooarchaeology, osteology, and bone taphonomy as well as a multidisciplinary course on the specifics of different environments (e.g. coastal environments and mountain environments). Students may accompany members of the University of Aix-Marseille and LAMPEA to excavations at various sites in France and elsewhere.
In parallel with lectures, seminars, practical classes, and laboratory work, students may participate in several archaeological excavations conducted by members of the partner universities at Palaeolithic sites in France, Italy, Germany, and elsewhere.
The course is offered by three universities:
In parallel to lectures, seminars, practical classes and lab work, students will be able to take part in several archaeological excavations at Palaeolithic sites in France, Italy, Germany and elsewhere.
Optional fieldwork experience and academic training will be offered in South Africa, via our collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand.
Approx. 1,500 EUR per semester for students from non-EU countries
Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently approx. 160 EUR per semester for EU students. This includes use of local public transport free of charge on Mondays to Fridays in the evening, at weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently approx. 140 EUR).
Estimated basic student expenses are around 950 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), including rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.
Possibility of ERASMUS+ funding for student's mobility
The prerequisite for participation in the Master's programme is a Bachelor's degree in archaeology or a comparable degree in an equivalent subject. Bachelor's degrees in relevant natural science subjects (geology, chemistry, physics, biology, computer science) may also count as entry qualifications if archaeological experience is available.
A joint committee, including representatives from the three universities of Aix-Marseille, Rome and Tübingen, decides on the equivalence of the degree and any additional requirements, such as additional lectures or laboratory courses to be taken.
The language of instruction and examination in the Master's programme in Paleolithic Archaeology is English. Sufficient knowledge of the English language is required (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Non-EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester
EU applicants: 15 September for the following winter semester
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Online application: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/study/finding-a-course/degree-programs-available/detail/course/palaeolithic-archaeology-master/
For questions regarding the application process, please contact the International Students Admissions Office. E-mail: study@uni-tuebingen.de
Accommodation is available through the Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk“) or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 200 to 400 EUR per month. As Tübingen is a very attractive place to live, private accommodation is more expensive and can take some effort to find. To make sure you find a suitable place to live, you should start looking as early as possible.
We recommend you apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the Master's programme (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/faqs/) and send in a copy of your notification of admission as soon as you have received it (your application won’t be finally processed before the “Studierendenwerk” has received proof of your admission). For further information, check out the “Studierendenwerk” pages on housing in Tübingen (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/housing-infos/).
The university offers a number of “onboarding” services for newly arriving international students. This includes:
For further information, please refer to: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/182071
The university’s Office for Advising and Admission of International Students offers advice on all academic matters (http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/90787).
To activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in our privacy policy. You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.
