Archaeological Sciences and Human Evolution - Master

The study program is admission-restricted, which means you have to apply for admission. You can only start the program in the winter term.

Besides the standard documents, you need the following additional documents for your application:

• Proof of English Language Proficiency, Level B2 (see https://uni-tuebingen.de/de/147453)
• CV
• Letter of Motivation, naming 1-2 specializations that you wish to pursue

To apply for the archaeological science program please follow the online application procedure on the University's website.

Admission to the master's program is open to students who have completed a bachelor's degree with a total of 180 credit points (or a comparable degree program) with a grade of 2.5 or better.  Different prerequisites apply to the various specializations (see examination regulations). In principle, the Institute of Natural History Archaeology would like to admit students with a B. A. degree in archaeology (with additional knowledge in natural sciences) as well as with a B. Sc. degree in natural sciences (with additional knowledge in archaeology).

In accordance with the objectives of an international study program, most of the teaching is held in English and only in exceptional cases in German. A certificate of proficiency in English (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required.

The Archaeological Science and Human Evolution program cannot be complemented with a minor subject.

The M.Sc. Archaeological Science and Human Evolution is a two-year, research-oriented program that addresses the broad spectrum of natural science applications to address archaeological and historical questions.

Students are given an overview of the various subjects in natural history archaeology, particularly in the first semester, and then specialize in one of the disciplines of archaeobotany, archaeometry, geoarchaeology, paleoanthropology, archaeo- and paleogenetics, stone age archaeology, or zooarchaeology. The program does not focus on specific periods or regions, but rather focuses on methods and topics

The study programs of the Institute for Archaeological Sciences are linked to the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment Tübingen, Schöningen. From October 2009, the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (SHEP) was established at the Eberhard Karls University Tübingen. In May 2017, SHEP was confirmed as an institute of the Leibniz Association. SHEP comprises the following seven research groups of the Department of Geosciences:

1. Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology (Prof. Nicholas Conard Ph.D.)

2. Archaeo- and Paleogenetics (Juniorprof. Dr. Cosimo Posth)

3. Biogeology (Prof. Dr. Hervé Bocherens)

4. Geoarchaeology (Prof. Dr. Christopher Miller)

5. Micropaleontology (Dr. Annett Junginger)

6. Paleoanthropology (Prof. Dr. Katerina Harvati)

7. Paleontology (Prof. Dr. Madelaine Böhme)

The close scientific cooperation with the other sites of the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung is particularly evident in the collaborations with, for example, the Section of Paleoanthropology in Frankfurt or the Research Unit for Quaternary Paleontology in Weimar. The SHEP-Tübingen is concerned not only with various aspects of the biological and cultural evolution of humans and the great apes, but also with climate and environmental evolution throughout the Cenozoic. The Senckenberg - University of Tübingen cooperation also concerns teaching as well as Senckenberg's care of the extensive paleozoological, paleobotanical, archaeobotanical, archaeozoological and geoarchaeological collections of the University of Tübingen. These internationally renowned collections are a unique selling point of SHEP.

The research environment of the geoscientific working groups at the University of Tübingen is characterized by diverse national and international scientific collaborations:

• Priority program EarthShape: Earth Surface Shaping by Biota

• Collaborative Research Center ResoursesCultures

• Institut für Naturwissenschaftliche Archäologie (INA)

• Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (SHEP)

• Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam, Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum - GFZ

• Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung - UFZ

• Alfred-Wegener Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung - AWI

The two-year M.Sc. course „Archaeological Science and Human Evolution“ is a research-oriented study program focusing on the broad range of natural scientific applications to answer archaeological and historical questions. In the first semester, students get an overview over the diverse cases of natural scientific archaeology, to then specify in one of these cases afterwards. The study program mediates methods and issues and is not focused on certain regions or periods.

For further information see the website M.Sc. Archaeological Science and Human Evolution.

Optional time abroad
You may choose to spend some time abroad as part of any study program. You should start planning it 12 to 18 months before your departure. 
Here you will find general information and advice on studying abroad. In addition, some departments have their own subject-specific services providing information on studying abroad.

In the winter semester 2023/24, approximately 200 students are studying in the field of archeological sciences:

The module handbook describes the objectives and the structure of a study program. You will find more detailed information on the type and scope of all modules as well as their courses, requirements and examinations in the module handbook of the M.Sc. Archaeological Science and Human Evolution. An ideal course plan in the module handbook helps you to plan your studies. The module handbook and the examination regulations help you to understand the framework of your studies and to select the right modules/courses.

The study and examination regulations of the M.Sc. Archaeological Science and Human Evolution contain legally binding regulations for a study program. Among other things, they specify which modules of a study program must be completed and which examinations must be taken in order to successfully complete the study program. The study and examination regulations also regulate how often examinations can be repeated, which deadlines apply to the examinations of a study program and how the final grade is calculated. The examination regulations and the module handbook will help you to understand the framework of your studies and to select the right modules/courses.

Graduates will work in research institutes, universities, heritage agencies, environmental agencies, planning offices, excavation companies, prospecting companies, but also, for example, in science journalism and other professional fields. Graduates have advantages in the archaeological job market as they have additional qualifications that are not taught in traditional archaeological degree programs.

Advice and internships
The University’s Career Service assists with careers orientation and getting started in your profession. Jobs and internships can be found in the Praxisportal.

For information see the website Faculty of Science - Doctoral Studies.

Information about the Alumni of Tübingen.