Description of the ART-W master’s program

This master's program in Palaeolithic Archaeology is established by the Universities of Aix-Marseille (France), Rome (Italy) and Tübingen (Germany); a selection of the European alliance of  universities called CIVIS (containing 10 universities overall) . The master's program is called “ART” in reference to the three partner universities in Europe (Aix-Marseille, Rome and Tübingen) and it is designed as an independent master's program, building upon the curricula of existing programs in each institution. The program includes the physical mobility of students between the three universities. Throughout the multiple degree-program, students are enrolled at all three institutions and receive a master's certificate from Aix, Rome (MA) and Tübingen  (MSc) upon successful completion.

The aim of the ART-W program 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 program will explore, for instance, the diversity of environments occupied by Palaeolithic groups and associated cultural expressions, human-animal interactions during the Palaeolithic, organization of Palaeolithic societies and aspects of prehistoric ideology, technological and functional aspects of material culture and more.

Qualification goals

This study program of ART-W provides students with advanced research-oriented scientific qualifications and trains them in the application of state-of-the-art methods to Palaeolithic archaeological research. The study of Mediterranean prehistory is central to the partner universities and associated research institutes. Thus, several courses in this master's program will focus on the diversity of human cultures in the Mediterranean, from the beginning to the end of the Palaeolithic. Human material and immaterial heritage is likewise central to this master's program, which intends to provide students with a view on the diversity of human heritage far beyond the European borders. Thus, this master's program will integrate key aspects also of the African archaeological record.  Through the extensive curriculum, students will acquire profound theoretical knowledge about prehistoric archaeology, Palaeolithic technology, human behavioural adaptations, human diversity and mobility along with social, economic, symbolic and ideological aspects of human evolution. Students are trained extensively in reading and evaluating scientific publications, critically discussing results, and developing their own problem-oriented research designs. The strong application-based focus of this master’s program familiarizes students with laboratory protocols and analytical procedures. The students will be trained in the analysis of material culture of Palaeolithic groups, including stone tools, osseous tools, and personal ornaments. Courses from this master's program as well as excursions to sites and museums in Italy, France, Germany, and South Africa will provide them with an understanding of the origins of artistic expression and the use of symbols, which are central to human evolution.

This master's program is designed to provide students with a view on the diversity of human heritage that extends beyond European borders, following a more global perspective. Genetic studies and fossil data clearly demonstrate that our species, Homo sapiens, emerged in Africa about 300,000 years ago. Prior and active research on this continent in the last few decades has highlighted the richness of the archaeological record, which is associated with the precocious emergence of cultural traits and behaviours typical of our species and instrumental in our success in spreading outside of Africa and inhabiting all five continents. The ART-W master's program will integrate these key aspects of the African archaeological record in courses, as well as via the possible participation of students to archaeological excavations in South Africa via collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg; the “W” in “ART-W”). Several lecturers involved in this program are conducting research in South Africa, specifically dedicated to the origins of human cultural heritage. As such, they are also contributing to the ongoing movement of decolonizing African archaeology by, for instance, promoting academic and student mobility between South Africa and Europe.

This master's program lays an excellent foundation for doctoral studies in the chosen specialization, enabling graduates to pursue a career in academia. Key employers for graduates of this master's program are universities and international research institutions searching for Ph.D. candidates. Moreover, students with a master's in Palaeolithic Archaeology are well-prepared for a position in archaeological and natural history museums or offices and institutions for the preservation of cultural and architectural heritage.

Requirements, enrolment and Tuition fees (see also tab above)

The program can only be started in the winter semester. To participate in this master's program, a bachelor’s degree in archaeology or a similar degree in an equivalent subject is required. A joint committee, including representatives of the three universities of Aix-Marseille, Rome and Tübingen, decides on the equivalence of the degree and possible additional requirements, such as supplemental lectures or lab classes. English is the language of instruction and examination. An adequate knowledge of English is required (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) or a Bachelor Program entirely completed in English language.

Students may enroll at the institution of their choice, and must pay their tuition fees to the respective institution, thereafter, considered their ‘home institution’. They are then exempted to pay tuitions in the other 2 universities (considered host institutions) where they however remain administratively enrolled for the entire duration of their studies in the Program.

Tuition fees at University of Tübingen: For EU citizens and citizens coming from Least Developed Countries (see LCD list ) there are no tuition fees for this master's program (ART-W in Palaeolithic Archaeology). However, the University of Tübingen charges a general registration fee of currently 158,30 Euro per semester. Students from non-EU countries are charged with a tuition fee of 1,500 Euro per semester (i.e., 3,000 Euro per year).  https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/study/organizing-your-studies/fees/

Tuition fees at Sapienza, University of Rome: Please see https://www.uniroma1.it/en/pagina/tuition-fees-and-benefits

Tuition fees at University of Aix-Marseille: Please see https://www.unipage.net/en/98/aix_marseille_university#tuition-anchor

In order to be enrolled into this Multiple master's Degree Program in Palaeolithic Archaeology (‘ART-W’; CIVIS), students have to submit the following documents to the university chosen as their “home institution”:

• a detailed CV in English,
• a copy of their passport,
• a copy of their transcript of records in English, German, Italian or French,
• a diploma supplement, if available,
• a cover letter.

For EU citizens and non-EU citizens who wish to enrol in the ART-W master's Program at the University of Tübingen, we recommend contacting Prof. Nicholas Conard and Dr. Flavia Venditti no later than July the first. The application deadline in Tübingen for EU citizens is the 15th of September while for non-EU citizens is the 15th of July. Apply here

In parallel to lectures, seminars, practical classes and lab work, students will be able to take part in several of the archaeological excavations led by members of the partner universities at Palaeolithic sites in France, Italy, Germany and elsewhere. For more information about the courses and the study plan see the module handbook.