Landscape and Heritage

VU University Amsterdam has a leading international position in the field of Landscape and Heritage, in research and in teaching. The MA Archaeology of Landscape and Heritage deals thematically with archaeological landscapes and heritage in many different societies, and has no geographical or chronological limits. The strong tradition of landscape studies at the VU is combined with current perspectives on archaeological heritage. Both the cultural and the more science-based approach of Landscape Archaeology are present in the programme of this track. Archaeological Heritage focuses on the multifaceted meanings of archaeological remains in modern society. Processes of preservation and management, the role of archaeology in spatial planning, and its societal impact in Europe are some of the key-issues that are addressed in the MA Archaeology Landscape and Heritage.

Reading the landscape from past to present: creating sustainable futures for archaeological heritage

The Master track in Landscape and Heritage at VU University Amsterdam is offered in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam, in the context of the Amsterdam Centre for Ancient Studies and Archaeology (ACASA). Thanks to this joint venture you can choose from a wide range of courses, allowing you to strengthen your own research profile and career prospects. The VU Archaeology MA is also closely linked within the VU department of Art and Culture, History and Antiquities. This collaboration offers students even more course options, from ancient history and classics to ecology, environmental science and digital courses. 

The MA in Archaeology at VU University offers a wide variety of course options, practical, methodological as well as theoretical, covering a diverse array of archaeological topics, interdisciplinary modules and wide-ranging fieldwork opportunities.

Two specializations, one Track

The Master's programme Archaeology: track Landscape and Heritage combines two specialisations:

Landscape archaeology is a specialism which is well developed at the VU University. The Netherlands (large scale excavations) and the Mediterranean (surface surveys) form the historical landscapes on which fieldwork is conducted, and are also the focal points for ongoing research projects about the use of GIS in archaeology and villa landscapes in the north of the Roman Empire. The initiation of international Landscape Archaeological conferences that was started at the VU University Amsterdam in 2010 gives the specialism Landscape Archaeology a rich expertise. Students in Landscape Archaeology at VU will have an interdisciplinary view on the platform landscape and are well trained in broad concepts and views.

Archaeology is seen progressively more as heritage, which gives it a new social and economic meaning. This conjures up several important questions. What, for example, is archaeological heritage? How do we envision the processes of preservation and management? What role does archaeology play in spatial planning? How archaeological heritage management currently is organised and financed in the Netherlands and in other European countries, and how will it be done in future? These and other questions are dealt with in the programme, which encompasses several elective modules from the interdisciplinary Master’s in Heritage Studies.

Core themes in the programme are: ecological and economic dimensions of interrelationship between man and landscape; the historical stratification of landscapes; the ‘past in the past’; landscape and identity, and science-based concepts in Landscape Archaeology. If you are interested in landscape as a platform for archaeological research then this Master is equipped for you. Do you want to be a graduated archaeologist, but also focus on heritage management and policy? If so, then this Master’s is the programme for you.

With ‘Landscape & Heritage’ the VU offer the only archaeological programme with a specialization which combines landscape archaeology and heritage in Europe. Though you receive a Master’s diploma in Archaeology, you also take heritage related courses during your study programme. You are also introduced to every facet of the current archaeological system and the way in which the ‘market’ operates. You are hereby able to specialize yourself in policy and advice.

Structure

The programme comprises 60 ECTS credits:

• 42 credits for core courses, including elective courses (12 credits)
• 18 credits for a Master’s thesis

Field work

You learn the skills you need for doing fieldwork. Apart from analysing, reporting and presenting field data, these skills also include managing and conducting fieldwork, e.g. making reasoned choices, adhering to deadlines, delegating tasks and working within a group. You will learn these skills in a practical setting at one of the VU’s current research locations in the Netherlands and in the Mediterranean.

Thesis

The Master’s thesis (18 ECTS) reports on research carried out by the student under the supervision of two academic staff members involved in the programme. The subject of the thesis must be mutually agreed upon by the student and the academic advise

Admission and application

Admission is based on a strict selection procedure. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application. If you have read the admission criteria below and feel you are eligible for admission, please take the following steps to submit your application. Note that the initial application procedure is fully online and that scans of your relevant documents are required.

Step 1: Meet admission criteria 
Step 2: Prepare documents and apply online 
Step 3: Await decision on admission 
Step 4: Finalize registration and move to Amsterdam! 

Step 1: Meet admission criteria

In order to gain admission to one of our Master’s programmes, you will need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university including at least three full years of academic study amounting to a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent. 

Specific admission requirements for the Master’s Programme Archaeology, specialization in Landscape and Heritage 

Students with a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology are eligible for admission. 

You must always present official test results proving your proficiency in English. Only students who have completed a  full high school/International Baccalaureate in English or bachelor’s degree in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, or Australia may be exempted. You can already apply online without having the test results. In case you haven’t taken a test yet we advise you to plan a test date as soon as possible. Below you will find the minimum English test scores for the English taught programmes at the Faculty of Humanities: 

TOEFL score (score 600 paper based with a minimum of 55 in each of the subtests plus 4.0 in TWE, score 250 computer based or score 100 internet based with a minimum of 20-23 in each of the subtests).  IELTS score of 7.0 overall band score (with none of the separate section scores dropping below a minimum score of 6.5). 
Cambridge English: Cambridge Proficiency Exam A, B, C, or Cambridge Advanced Exam A, B, C.

Step 2: Prepare documents and apply online 

Please prepare the following documents. You can find an explanation of each document on the application page. All documents should be provided in English. 

• Copy of your valid passport or ID (ID only for EU residents) 
• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation Letter
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Transcript of records 
• Thesis (or another sample of academic writing, at least 5 pages plus a list of used literature)
• A description of the relevant courses you have taken during your previous higher education 
• A list of all the main literature used during your previous higher education  

After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. After you have completed the application, our international student advisors will contact you via email.

Step 3: Await decision on admission
The admission board will review your application as soon as it is complete. Normally this takes about four weeks, but it might take longer in busy periods so be sure to apply as soon as possible. If you gain admission, you will receive a letter of conditional admission by email. You can start planning your move to Amsterdam!

Step 4: Finalize your registration and move to Amsterdam!
Make sure to finalize your registration as a student before the start of the programme. Here you will find an explanation what to do after admission. When all conditions are met you will be ready to start your programme at VU University Amsterdam!