Archaeology
Archaeology
Course sheet
A.Y. 2025/2026
Master programme
LM-2 R - Archeologia
The Master's degree programme in Archaeology aims to provide a solid base of knowledge in the field
of the archaeology of the European continent and of the countries bordering the Mediterranean, as well as the skills required for working in the field of cultural heritage protection and enhancement and for participating in archaeological digs. It is an open-admission programme for students holding the required educational background, i.e. a Bachelor's degree in Archaeology. Curricular requirements will be assessed through an admission interview, with a view to ascertaining that the candidate has earned all the credits required for admission to the Master's degree programme in Archaeology. The core courses of the programme include the main archaeological disciplines (European prehistory and protohistory, etruscology, archaeology of pre-Roman Italy, Greek archaeology, Roman archaeology, archaeology of Magna Graecia, archaeology of the Roman provinces, etc.), a course of Greek or Latin literature, a course of ancient history or Egyptology or literature and two courses of anthropology or analytical methods for cultural heritage studies. Training activities are organized on a six-monthly basis and include a workshop in an archaeological excavation site or in the classroom in technical-archaeological disciplines (archaeological design, surveying tools, cataloguing of artifacts). A key part of training is research work with a view to writing the degree thesis.
of the archaeology of the European continent and of the countries bordering the Mediterranean, as well as the skills required for working in the field of cultural heritage protection and enhancement and for participating in archaeological digs. It is an open-admission programme for students holding the required educational background, i.e. a Bachelor's degree in Archaeology. Curricular requirements will be assessed through an admission interview, with a view to ascertaining that the candidate has earned all the credits required for admission to the Master's degree programme in Archaeology. The core courses of the programme include the main archaeological disciplines (European prehistory and protohistory, etruscology, archaeology of pre-Roman Italy, Greek archaeology, Roman archaeology, archaeology of Magna Graecia, archaeology of the Roman provinces, etc.), a course of Greek or Latin literature, a course of ancient history or Egyptology or literature and two courses of anthropology or analytical methods for cultural heritage studies. Training activities are organized on a six-monthly basis and include a workshop in an archaeological excavation site or in the classroom in technical-archaeological disciplines (archaeological design, surveying tools, cataloguing of artifacts). A key part of training is research work with a view to writing the degree thesis.
The programme provides indispensable cognitive tools, both in terms of historical-archaeological knowledge and of technical and methodological skills, for the purposes of lifelong learning and furthering studies and research independently (postgraduate school of archaeology or PhD). The Master's degree in Archaeology is a key requirement to become a tier-II archaeologist pursuant to Ministerial Decree no. 244 of 20 May 2019, which regulates access to cultural heritage professions.
Graduates must be able to operate both on an excavation site (digging, data processing, phasing, reconstruction of the history of the investigated area) and in archaeological heritage research, protection and enhancement institutions, with mostly operational roles.
Graduates must be able to operate both on an excavation site (digging, data processing, phasing, reconstruction of the history of the investigated area) and in archaeological heritage research, protection and enhancement institutions, with mostly operational roles.
The degree programme offers its students Erasmus+ opportunities at the Université de Rennes II - Haute Bretagne and the Freie Universität in Berlin. For each location, Erasmus outgoing students have options ranging from 3 to 10 months, during which they can follow courses and take exams that will be recognized as an integral part of the degree programme. They can also combine this activity with research for the preparation of their Master's thesis, which will count towards the number of credits covered by the Erasmus scholarship. Every year, all teaching activities included in the programme are presented to interested students by the Erasmus manager in a specific informative meeting. The data and educational information required for submitting the Learning Agreement are also collected in special information sheets posted to the Erasmus page of the Faculty of Humanities https://www.unimi.it/en/node/12884/
If you are and incoming Erasmus student, you can attend all classes in Italian. If you wish, you can agree with individual instructors on a programme partly or entirely in English. Moreover, teaching staff exchange agreements are in place with many partner universities, including visiting professor programmes for our faculty members abroad and for foreign colleagues at our institution, within the programmes of the Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage.
If you are and incoming Erasmus student, you can attend all classes in Italian. If you wish, you can agree with individual instructors on a programme partly or entirely in English. Moreover, teaching staff exchange agreements are in place with many partner universities, including visiting professor programmes for our faculty members abroad and for foreign colleagues at our institution, within the programmes of the Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage.
La frequenza è vivamente consigliata per gli insegnamenti.
La frequenza è obbligatoria per i laboratori.
La frequenza è obbligatoria per i laboratori.
Enrolment
The Master's degree programme in Archaeology is open to the following categories of applicants:
1.
Applicants holding a Bachelor's degree in Cultural Heritage (L-1) or Humanities (L-10) earned from the University of Milan or another University, provided that they have earned at least 60 university credits (CFU/ECTS) in the scientific-disciplinary sectors (SSDs) listed below:
L-ANT/01 (Prehistory and early history); L-ANT/02 (Greek history); L-ANT/03 (Roman history); L-ANT/04 (Numismatics); L-ANT/05 (Papyrology); L-ANT/06 (Etruscology and Italic antiquities); L-ANT/07 (Classical archaeology); L-ANT/08 (Christian and medieval archaeology); L-ANT/09 (Ancient topography); L-ANT/10 (Methods of archaeological research); L-FIL-LET/01 (Aegean civilisations); L-FIL-LET/02 (Greek language and literature); L-FIL-LET/04 (Latin language and literature); L-FIL-LET/07 (Byzantine civilisation); L-OR/01 (History of ancient Near East); L-OR/02 (Egyptology and Coptic civilisation); L-OR/03 (Assyriology); L-OR/04 (Anatolian studies); L-OR/05 (Ancient Near East archaeology and art history); L-OR/06 (Phoenician and Punic archaeology); M-DEA/01 (Demology, ethnology and anthropology).
Applicants holding a Bachelor's degree in another degree class, provided that they have earned at least 90 university credits (CFU/ECTS) in the scientific-disciplinary sectors (SSDs) listed below:
- at least 45 CFU/ECTS in the following SSDs (history and archaeology): L-ANT/01 (Prehistory and early history); L-ANT/02 (Greek history); L-ANT/03 (Roman history); L-ANT/04 (Numismatics); L-ANT/05 (Papyrology); L-ANT/06 (Etruscology and Italic antiquities); L-ANT/07 (Classical archaeology); L-ANT/08 (Christian and medieval archaeology); L-ANT/09 (Ancient topography); L-ANT/10 (Methods of archaeological research); L-FIL-LET/01 (Aegean civilisations); L-OR/02 (Egyptology and Coptic civilisation);
- up to 45 CFU/ECTS in the following SSDs (philology and literature): L-FIL-LET/02 (Greek language and literature); L-FIL-LET/04 (Latin language and literature); L-FIL-LET/07 (Byzantine civilisation); L-FIL-LET/10 (Italian literature); L-ART/01 (History of medieval art); L-OR/01 (History of ancient Near East); L-OR/03 (Assyriology); L-OR/04 (Anatolian studies); L-OR/05 (Ancient Near East archaeology and art history); L-OR/06 (Phoenician and Punic archaeology); M-DEA/01 (Demology, ethnology and anthropology); M-STO/01 (Medieval history); M-STO/06 (History of religions); M-GGR/01 (Geography).
Admission may also be granted to applicants holding a foreign degree, but only if the foreign degree programme gave them a solid grounding in archaeology. Additionally, they are required to be proficient in English at level B1 or higher of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and to have adequate mastery of the Italian language. Applicants holding a foreign degree will have to comply with the application procedures established for international students. These procedures and the corresponding deadlines are made available each year on the University website (www.unimi.it), as soon as the application window for international students opens.
Proficiency in ENGLISH at a B1 level or higher under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B1-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate at or above B1, obtained no more than three years earlier. For the list of language certificates recognized by the University please review: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267). The
certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application, including levels
based on language certificates submitted by the applicants during their Bachelor's degree at the University of Milan. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the
application;
- Entry test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267)
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the Entry test.
Applicants who do not take or pass the Entry test will be required to obtain a language proficiency certificate recognized by the University (see: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and deliver it to the
SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/).
Applicants who do not meet the requirement by said deadline will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and may not sit any further tests.
Applicants who meet the requirements specified in point 1 will be automatically admitted to the programme, provided that their Bachelor's degree mark is equal to or higher than 96/110. Applicants falling into this category will receive confirmation of their admission via the online admission service. Applicants who meet the requirements under point 1 but earned their Bachelor's degree with a final mark lower than 96/110 will have to sit an interview via Microsoft Teams (see notice on the website https://archeologia.cdl.unimi.it/it), on one of the following dates: Friday, 14 June 2024 (9 am); Friday, 20 September 2024 (9 am); Friday, 22 November 2024 (9 am); Friday, 10 January 2025 (9 am). Applicants are free to choose their preferred date from the available options. Any communication in this regard will be sent to each applicant via email.
Applicants who meet the requirements specified in point 2 will have to go through a guidance interview via Microsoft Teams (see notice on the website https://archeologia.cdl.unimi.it/it), on one of the following dates: Friday, 16 May 2025 (9 am); Monday, 15 September 2025 (9 am); Friday, 21 November 2025 (9 am); Friday, 9 January 2025 (9 am). Applicants are free to choose their preferred date from the available options. Please note that the guidance interview is not an entrance examination. Any communication in this regard will be sent to each applicant via email.
Admission into academic year 2025-26 is conditional upon meeting all admission requirements (Bachelor's degree, additional single courses, English proficiency) by 31 December 2025. Applicants who, during the first interview, are found to be lacking the initial knowledge required, will be instructed to take single courses to fill their knowledge gaps and meet the admission requirements. In this case, applicants must pass the final exam of such single courses by 31 December 2025, before the final admission interview.
1.
Applicants holding a Bachelor's degree in Cultural Heritage (L-1) or Humanities (L-10) earned from the University of Milan or another University, provided that they have earned at least 60 university credits (CFU/ECTS) in the scientific-disciplinary sectors (SSDs) listed below:
L-ANT/01 (Prehistory and early history); L-ANT/02 (Greek history); L-ANT/03 (Roman history); L-ANT/04 (Numismatics); L-ANT/05 (Papyrology); L-ANT/06 (Etruscology and Italic antiquities); L-ANT/07 (Classical archaeology); L-ANT/08 (Christian and medieval archaeology); L-ANT/09 (Ancient topography); L-ANT/10 (Methods of archaeological research); L-FIL-LET/01 (Aegean civilisations); L-FIL-LET/02 (Greek language and literature); L-FIL-LET/04 (Latin language and literature); L-FIL-LET/07 (Byzantine civilisation); L-OR/01 (History of ancient Near East); L-OR/02 (Egyptology and Coptic civilisation); L-OR/03 (Assyriology); L-OR/04 (Anatolian studies); L-OR/05 (Ancient Near East archaeology and art history); L-OR/06 (Phoenician and Punic archaeology); M-DEA/01 (Demology, ethnology and anthropology).
Applicants holding a Bachelor's degree in another degree class, provided that they have earned at least 90 university credits (CFU/ECTS) in the scientific-disciplinary sectors (SSDs) listed below:
- at least 45 CFU/ECTS in the following SSDs (history and archaeology): L-ANT/01 (Prehistory and early history); L-ANT/02 (Greek history); L-ANT/03 (Roman history); L-ANT/04 (Numismatics); L-ANT/05 (Papyrology); L-ANT/06 (Etruscology and Italic antiquities); L-ANT/07 (Classical archaeology); L-ANT/08 (Christian and medieval archaeology); L-ANT/09 (Ancient topography); L-ANT/10 (Methods of archaeological research); L-FIL-LET/01 (Aegean civilisations); L-OR/02 (Egyptology and Coptic civilisation);
- up to 45 CFU/ECTS in the following SSDs (philology and literature): L-FIL-LET/02 (Greek language and literature); L-FIL-LET/04 (Latin language and literature); L-FIL-LET/07 (Byzantine civilisation); L-FIL-LET/10 (Italian literature); L-ART/01 (History of medieval art); L-OR/01 (History of ancient Near East); L-OR/03 (Assyriology); L-OR/04 (Anatolian studies); L-OR/05 (Ancient Near East archaeology and art history); L-OR/06 (Phoenician and Punic archaeology); M-DEA/01 (Demology, ethnology and anthropology); M-STO/01 (Medieval history); M-STO/06 (History of religions); M-GGR/01 (Geography).
Admission may also be granted to applicants holding a foreign degree, but only if the foreign degree programme gave them a solid grounding in archaeology. Additionally, they are required to be proficient in English at level B1 or higher of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and to have adequate mastery of the Italian language. Applicants holding a foreign degree will have to comply with the application procedures established for international students. These procedures and the corresponding deadlines are made available each year on the University website (www.unimi.it), as soon as the application window for international students opens.
Proficiency in ENGLISH at a B1 level or higher under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B1-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate at or above B1, obtained no more than three years earlier. For the list of language certificates recognized by the University please review: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267). The
certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application, including levels
based on language certificates submitted by the applicants during their Bachelor's degree at the University of Milan. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the
application;
- Entry test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267)
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the Entry test.
Applicants who do not take or pass the Entry test will be required to obtain a language proficiency certificate recognized by the University (see: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and deliver it to the
SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/).
Applicants who do not meet the requirement by said deadline will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and may not sit any further tests.
Applicants who meet the requirements specified in point 1 will be automatically admitted to the programme, provided that their Bachelor's degree mark is equal to or higher than 96/110. Applicants falling into this category will receive confirmation of their admission via the online admission service. Applicants who meet the requirements under point 1 but earned their Bachelor's degree with a final mark lower than 96/110 will have to sit an interview via Microsoft Teams (see notice on the website https://archeologia.cdl.unimi.it/it), on one of the following dates: Friday, 14 June 2024 (9 am); Friday, 20 September 2024 (9 am); Friday, 22 November 2024 (9 am); Friday, 10 January 2025 (9 am). Applicants are free to choose their preferred date from the available options. Any communication in this regard will be sent to each applicant via email.
Applicants who meet the requirements specified in point 2 will have to go through a guidance interview via Microsoft Teams (see notice on the website https://archeologia.cdl.unimi.it/it), on one of the following dates: Friday, 16 May 2025 (9 am); Monday, 15 September 2025 (9 am); Friday, 21 November 2025 (9 am); Friday, 9 January 2025 (9 am). Applicants are free to choose their preferred date from the available options. Please note that the guidance interview is not an entrance examination. Any communication in this regard will be sent to each applicant via email.
Admission into academic year 2025-26 is conditional upon meeting all admission requirements (Bachelor's degree, additional single courses, English proficiency) by 31 December 2025. Applicants who, during the first interview, are found to be lacking the initial knowledge required, will be instructed to take single courses to fill their knowledge gaps and meet the admission requirements. In this case, applicants must pass the final exam of such single courses by 31 December 2025, before the final admission interview.
Admission
Application for admission: from 22/01/2025 to 25/08/2025
Application for matriculation: from 02/04/2025 to 15/01/2026
Attachments and documents
Online services
Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
Optional programme year
Compulsory activity
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English | Open sessions | NN |
a - 6 CFU in one of the following subjects
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latin Literature Ma | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-FIL-LET/04 |
| Greek Literature Ma | 12 | 80 | Italian | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/02 |
b - 6 CFU in one of the following subjects
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egyptian Archaeology | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-OR/02 |
| Greek History Ma | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/02 |
| Greek Institutions and Epigraphy | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/02 |
| Roman History Ma | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/03 |
| Roman Institutions and Epigraphy | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/03 |
c - 39 credits in five of the following subjects (of which three 9-CFU and two 6-CFU exams)
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late Antique Archaeology | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-ANT/08 |
| Roman Archaeology Ma | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-ANT/07 |
| Urban Planning and Archaeology | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-ANT/09 |
| Archaeology in Pre-Roman Italy | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/06 |
| Archaeology of Magna Grecia | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/07 |
| Celtic Archaeology | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/01 |
| Classical Ceramography, Production and Iconography | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/07 |
| Etruscology | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/06 |
| Greek Archaeology Ma | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/07 |
| Methodology of Archaeological and Archeometric Research | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/10 |
| Prehistoric Ecology | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/01 |
d - 6 CFU in one of the following subjects
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Methods for the Study Cultural Goods | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | FIS/07 |
| Anthropology | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | BIO/08 |
| Geomaterials and Geoarchaeology | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | GEO/09 |
e - 12 CFU (9+9) in two of the following subjects (other than those already chosen a from a previous group)
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Numismatics Ma | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-ANT/04 |
| Late Antique Archaeology | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-ANT/08 |
| Latin Literature Ma | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-FIL-LET/04 |
| Phoenician and Punic Archaeology | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-OR/06 |
| Roman Archaeology Ma | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-ANT/07 |
| Urban Planning and Archaeology | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-ANT/09 |
| Archaelogy and History of the Ancient Western Asia | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-OR/05 |
| Archaeology in Pre-Roman Italy | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/06 |
| Archaeology of Magna Grecia | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/07 |
| Celtic Archaeology | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/01 |
| Classical Ceramography, Production and Iconography | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/07 |
| Etruscology | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/06 |
| Greek Archaeology Ma | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/07 |
| Greek Literature Ma | 12 | 80 | Italian | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/02 |
| Methodology of Archaeological and Archeometric Research | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/10 |
| Prehistoric Ecology | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/01 |
f - Lo studente ha a disposizione
- 9 CFU da destinare ad altri insegnamenti a libera scelta tra quelli offerti dall'Università degli Studi di Milano (anche da acquisirsi in un esame da 6 CFU e un'ulteriore attività di laboratorio da 3 CFU)
- 12 CFU da destinare rispettivamente a tirocini (3CFU),laboratori in aula o di scavo archeologico (3CFU) mentre i restanti 6 CFU potranno essere liberamente acquisiti dagli studenti in attività a scelta tra laboratori in aula, laboratori di scavo archeologico, tirocini, convegni, cicli di conferenze, attività seminariali attivati presso il Corso di Laurea Magistrale, finalizzati a maturare specifiche competenze professionali in ambito archeologico.
- 9 CFU da destinare ad altri insegnamenti a libera scelta tra quelli offerti dall'Università degli Studi di Milano (anche da acquisirsi in un esame da 6 CFU e un'ulteriore attività di laboratorio da 3 CFU)
- 12 CFU da destinare rispettivamente a tirocini (3CFU),laboratori in aula o di scavo archeologico (3CFU) mentre i restanti 6 CFU potranno essere liberamente acquisiti dagli studenti in attività a scelta tra laboratori in aula, laboratori di scavo archeologico, tirocini, convegni, cicli di conferenze, attività seminariali attivati presso il Corso di Laurea Magistrale, finalizzati a maturare specifiche competenze professionali in ambito archeologico.
g - We recommend students follow the courses of archaeological subjects and take the related exams starting from the first year. It is also advisable to choose the additional exams and their sequence in relation to the topic of the degree thesis, to be agreed with the supervisor within the first year of the programme.
After earning the required 90 credits, in compliance with these rules, the student may sit the final exam and obtain their degree.
After earning the required 90 credits, in compliance with these rules, the student may sit the final exam and obtain their degree.
Final activities
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Exam | 30 | 0 | Italian | Open sessions | NN |
Learn more
Location
Milan
Head of study programme
Academic guidance tutor
Study plan tutor
Internship tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Reference structures
Contacts
- Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage
Via Noto 6 e 8, 20141 Milano (MI) - Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milano (MI) Italia
http://www.bac.unimi.it - Teaching secretariat
Via Noto 6, 20141 Milano - Student registrar
Via Santa Sofia 9/1, 20122 Milano (MI) Italia - Contact person for disabilities and Special Educational Needs
prof. Marco Boffi
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/segreterie-informastudenti
[email protected] - Study plan tutor
[email protected] - Erasmus and international mobility tutor
[email protected] - Internship tutor
[email protected]
The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:
- The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
- The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year)
- An additional fee is due for online programmes
The University also offers:
- Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
- Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
- Concessions for international students with refugee status
Scholarships and benefits
The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).
Learn more
Guidance:
Admission, ranking and enrolment
Official documents