Classical Archaeology

The first study degree of Classical Archaeology is aimed on acquirement of general knowledge that represents vital presumption for the understanding and further study of the cultural-historical development, socio-economic structures, and material culture of the two main civilizations of the Ancient world - Greece and Rome.

Shadows of the Ancient Past light our future

Special courses are primarily focused on archaeology, with emphasis on the material culture, architecture, and arts of the ancient civilizations.

An integral part of the study is practical experience supporting not only in the field of archaeological prospection and research but also for subsequent laboratory processing, documentation, and scientific evaluation of the results.

Unique is the possibility to carry out archaeological excavations and student practice in areas of the direct influence of the ancient civilizations - currently in Crete, Albania, and Italy, or at an extraordinary Roman site near Mušov.

International relations and cooperation are supported not only by the participation of students in international research or by scientific activities of the department, but also by regular lectures provided by foreign specialists. Students are recommended to attend some exchange programs. The interdisciplinary overlap of the study is very specific, in addition to specialized classic archaeological courses, students acquire basic knowledge and orientation in archaeological theory, methods, and technics, in Latin and Classical Greek languages, Ancient Literature, Ancient History, Realia, and Mythology of both civilizations.

Practical training

Practical training accompanied by supervision is an obligatory part of the curriculum for this field and students experience 2 weeks for the programme minor, 4 weeks for the programme maior and 6 weeks for the programme completus of practical field work training on an archaeological site.

Actual site choice of the practical training and it is spread out over the semesters depends at students discretion. Preference is given to the practical training at the site where actively participate researchers of the Institute (Priniatikos Pyrgos, Oxa - Kalos Lakkos, Bibracte or Mušov). Practical training on other archaeological sites in the areas of direct influence of ancient cultures is also accepted.

Further information

Visit the website of the Department of Archaeology and Museology and find out what events we hold outside of class, what activities you can get involved in, and much more.

The branch of Classical Archaeology in Bachelor degree provides basic archaeological, historical and language education but also practical training for work on archaeological excavations in technical professions, further in museums, art galleries and other scientific, cultural and heritage preservation institutes. This education is also usable for range of various career opportunities and work positions in administrative, travel movement, journalism, publishing houses, educational and cultural organizations, etc.

This programme is taught in Czech.

The criteria for admission for studies are the results of the written Field of Study Examination. Applicants may also be admitted based on other criteria, see Admission without the Entrance Examination. The Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University disregards the results of SCIO National Comparative Examinations.

You can file your e-applications for studies from 1 November to 29 February.
Applicants applying for the major study plan and minor study plan in a combined study must comply with the conditions for admission into both plans.

Learning Potential Test (TSP)

For admission for studies in this degree programme, you do not need to take the TSP.

Field of Study Examination

This examination is intended to check the applicants’ knowledge of the given field of study. It is done in the form of an motivation letter (on 1 A4 page of text) and an annotation of studied scholarly or popular scientific literature (on a minimum 1 A4 page of text, maximum 3 book titles). Both have to be written in Czech or Slovak.
Please upload the motivation letter and the annotation in the PDF format into your e-application in the section Příloha 2 no later than 8 April. Select the correct type of attachment, i.e. "Klasická archeologie: Motivační dopis" and "Klasická archeologie: Anotace četby".

Basic description of the Field of Study Examination:
The applicant will individually prepare a motivation letter and an annotation of scholarly literature or popular scientific literature.
In the motivation letter, the applicant will state their reasons for choosing the degree programme and describe their encounters with the field of classical archaeology, such as visits to sites, exhibitions, a description of their participation in archaeological field research, and encounters with the popularization of archaeological topics.
The literature annotation should present scholarly or popular scientific literature concerning classical archaeology or related topics which the applicant has read.

Admission without the entrance examination

You may be exempt from the entrance examination based on at least one of the following criteria:

1. the submission of officially certified confirmations of your participation in a competition in the field of history or archaeology (Students’ Professional Activities) from the regional round onward, History Olympiad from the regional round onward;
2. submission of confirmation of your participation in archaeological research (at least two weeks) issued by an authorized organization.

Please upload the officially certified documents directly to your e-application in the section Application for the Exemption from the Entrance Examination no later than 28 February.

Criteria for evaluation

• Total number of points in the Field of Study Examination: 100
• Limit for successfully passing the Field of Study Examination: 50

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Minimum score and numbers of accepted applicants in past years

After completion of the Bachelor's study programme, it is possible to continue further studies in any Master's degree programme (after satisfying the admission requirements). At the Faculty of Arts MU students can apply for admission to a follow-up Master's degree programme Archaeology – speciality in Classical Archaeology.