Archaeology (Research MA)

Admission requirements

To be eligible for Archaeology (research) at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements...

The entry requirements below count for applications for February and September 2024.

Holders of one of the following degrees may be admitted to the programme:

An academic bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, obtained at a university in the Netherlands.
An academic bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, obtained at a university abroad, with comparable level as the bachelor’s programme of the Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University.
Bachelor’s degree obtained at a university in a related field: Anthropology Geography; Biology; Heritage/Museum Studies; History; Landscape/Ecology; Art History; Architecture provided the student has at least 60 credits belonging to the discipline of archaeology.
Bachelor degree in archaeology of a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO), or equivalent, with:
- An academic archaeological minor obtained at Leiden University or equivalent, ór:
- An average of 7.0 in the BA2 and 3 ánd passed the course Archaeological Research Design, ór
- Graduation project graded with at least an 8.0 ánd passed the course Archaeological Research Design.

There is no direct admission to the Research Master's programme in Archaeology. All applicants are required to follow Part 2 of the Application procedure.

In addition to the general admission requirements described above, additional admission requirements apply to the RMA:

Average grade over de BA2 and BA3 of at least 7.5 (Dutch grading system).
Bachelor's thesis graded with at least a 8.0 ór a research proposal of excellent quality comparable with a Dutch 8.0 or higher.
- Or you have finished the first semester of the MA in Archaeology with at least a 7.5 average. And passed the selection interview in which the research proposal and the motivation of the student is assessed.

Please note: We advise all students, including Leiden University and Leiden University Archaeology students to apply for both the MA and RMA, to guarantee you a place in the MA in case you are rejected for the RMA.

It is not possible to be admitted to the RMA/RMSc Archaeology through a pre-master or bridging programme beforehand. Apply for the MA/MSc programme instead.

Language requirements

Sufficient command of English

An International Baccalaureate diploma from a programma taught in Englist (or an IB diploma with English A).
A diploma of secondary higher education completed in Australia, Canada (with the exception of French taught programmes in Canada), Germany, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States or South Africa.
A diploma of an English-taught university degree programme completed at a Dutch research university.
A pre-university education (VWO) diploma.
A diploma of a university degree programma completed at a Dutch research university or a Dutch University of Applied Sciences.
IELTS, where each separate constituent score must be at least 6.0;
TOEFL (interet-based) 90, where each separate constituent score must be at least 20.

Please note: Exam results may not be more than two years old. See also the general language requirements.

The following requirements apply:

IELTS Academic modules only, on paper or on computer: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.
- We do not accept IELTS Academic online.
- We do not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicator.
TOEFL internet based: 90 overall, with at least 20 for each separate component.
- We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situations only:
  You took the test before 1 Sept 2022 (and it is not more than 2 years old), or you are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
- We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™ or institutional tests such as ITP.

Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old.

You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university.

For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.

Language requirements for February 2024 intake

For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.

English tests accepted
Note that English test results may not be more than two years old. The following types of English test are accepted:

IELTS: Academic
- We do not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicator
- We are not yet able to accept the new IELTS online.
TOEFL: internet based
- We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best ™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™ or institutional tests such as ITP.
- We can accept TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition™ or TOEFL IBT Paper Edition™ in the following situations only:
  - You are applying for a programme starting in February 2023, or
  - You took the test before 1 Sept 2022 (& it is not more than 2 years old), or
  - You are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres in your region are closed or inaccessible due to unsafe conditions.
Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency or C1 Advanced, depending on admission criteria

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old.

You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university.

For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.

>> Go to the next step: Check the application deadlines