Objectives and competences

The master's degree in Advanced Studies in Archaeology offers advanced training at the forefront of current archaeological studies, which allows students to approach archaeology from a different perspective, taking advantage of the latest methodological and scientific advances available to us to answer questions related to archaeology. 

It is, therefore, a highly multidisciplinary and transversal master's degree that, together with the tools traditionally used in archaeological studies, accommodates a series of disciplines, methods and techniques from other fields such as geology, geography, anthropology, biology, chemistry or conservation. This line of research is the one that is included internationally under the umbrella of larqueometría.

This master's degree aims to train professionals in archaeology in the fields of both research and practice, management and conservation of archaeological heritage. This master's degree also provides access to doctoral studies. In order to deepen our understanding of past events, it is essential to have a good knowledge of all the available tools and apply all the available means that help us to understand the archaeological record from all its aspects. It should be remembered that archaeology is linked to a historical heritage that must not only be recovered, but also preserved and interpreted in historical key.

Organization and methodology

The master's degree in Advanced Studies in Archaeology is a master's degree of 60 credits that can be taken full-time in one year (60 ETCS), or part-time in one and a half year (45+15 ETCS) or two years (30+30 ETCS).

 

The master's degree is face-to-face and most of the subjects are taught at the Faculty of Geography and History of the University of Barcelona. This Faculty is located on Calle Montalegre 6, in the heart of Barcelona, close to the main sites of the city.

 

The subjects are taught in blocks, from Monday to Friday, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Each subject involves 12 consecutive sessions of 4 hours each. The GIS specialty subjects are taught between 16h and 20h30 in the Faculty's computer and cartography classroom.

Since the master's degree is eminently practical, the subjects are taught in the classroom and in the Archaeology Laboratory. Part of the internships are carried out in other laboratories of the University of Barcelona, as well as in the CRAI. The Faculty has its own archaeological site in which various practical works will be carried out. It is also contemplated, to make some day trips to other research centers and outstanding deposits.

 

The master's degree involves face-to-face teaching, eminently theoretical-practical, with a high number of hours of laboratory, computer, terrain, etc. Recognized specialists participate in the master's degree as guest teachers, teaching classes, seminars, etc (see Teachers section).

 

All the material to take the subjects will be made available to the student through the Virtual Campus of the UB.

 

The teaching plans for each of the subjects describe the thematic blocks, the evaluation systems, the objectives and also provide abundant and updated bibliography.

The main language of the master's degree is Spanish, with specific contributions in English when the classes are taught by international specialists.

 

Evaluation

In the master's degree, a continuous assessment is applied, although the student may opt for a single assessment, always renouncing the continuous assessment. It includes the possibility of a reassessment system in the event that the student has not passed the subject in the first call (either with continuous or single evaluation).

 

The continuous evaluation integrates all the evaluative elements indicated in the course plan, which are collected progressively throughout the learning process of the subject and which allow to evaluate if the student achieves the objectives proposed in the subjects (see Teaching Plans).

 

The evaluation methods, the specific tests and the percentages corresponding to each of the tests, are specified in the Teaching Plans of each of the subjects.

Being a face-to-face master's degree, based on a strong practical component of all subjects, class attendance will be considered relevant in the final evaluation.

As a general rule, the evaluation consists of a set of elements:

 

Written tests, whether in exam or exercise format, practical application, case study, topic resolution, etc.

Oral tests: oral presentations of works in the classroom

Work done by the student: memories, work or results of practical exercises.

The evaluation is carried out during the period of teaching of the subject. The single assessment exam periods will be held between January 16 and 28 and June 5 and 17. The reassessment periods are held between 13 and 15 March and between 12 and 15 July.

The TFM presentation will take place in two periods: between June 15 and 30 and between September 16 and 20.

See theteaching plans of each subject for evaluation.

 

Calendar

First semester MASTERS

Teaching and continuous assessment: from 16 September 2025 to 24 January 2026

Single assessment: from 13 to 24 January 2026

TFM evaluation: from 5 to 21 from February 2026

Reassessment: 3 and 6 of March 2026


Second semester MASTERS:

Teaching and continuous assessment: from 3 February to 20 from June 2026

Single assessment: from 2 to 20 June from 2026

TFM evaluation: of 16 June in 4 July and of 1 in 27 September 2026

Reassessment: 7 and 9 July 2026
 

Check theteaching calendar.

Final work

The Master's Thesis (TFM) course is compulsory and has a teaching load of 15 ECTS credits. In it, the student must develop an original academic work and make a face-to-face presentation before a court made up of specialists. Both works on reinterpretations, states of the question or synthesis of already published data can be carried out, as well as research with unpublished data obtained during the period of teaching of the master's degree.

 

In the TFM, the student must demonstrate that he/she has acquired the competencies and contents taught throughout the master's degree and that he/she is able to integrate the training received in the different subjects. It must also demonstrate that it has acquired competences on the preparation and presentation of a scientific document and its capacity to expose and defend it orally and publicly.

 

In mid-November, there will be a session in which the different research teams of the Prehistory and Archaeology Section (SERP-UB, ERAUUB, GRACP, GRACPE) will present to the students a set of research topics on which to carry out the TFM. These topics are part of the lines of research developed by the research groups. However, the TFM is also open to any other topic of interest to the student, as long as it can be directed by a specialist in the section.

 

The TFM will be tutored by a PhD professor with research experience, who will carry out an individualized and personalized follow-up of the student throughout the preparation of the TFM.

 

The TFM begins at the end of the first semester and is developed mainly during the second semester. At the end of the classes of the subjects in the middle of April, the student still has two months destined only to the preparation of the TFM before the defense call of the middle / end of June. A second call is made during the second week of September, with TFM delivery in the first days of September.

 

Regulations for Master's Degree Final Projects of the Faculty

Mobility

Tutorial action plan

Prior to enrolling in the master's degree, the coordinator and those responsible for tutoring the student will conduct individual interviews with each student in order to know their temporary availability, their personal interests, their level of archaeological training, etc. During these tutorials, you will be informed of the enrolment modalities (complete, partial, etc.) and the format of completion of the master's degree most appropriate to the needs of each student will be assessed jointly. The need to take bridging courses will also be decided.

The Faculty of Geography and History has a Tutorial Action Plan supporting, advising and personalized monitoring of the student before and during the teaching of the master's degree.

The master's degree has links of collaboration with theStudent Care Service (SAE), an office that offers all kinds of advice to the student, both academically and professionally. Depending on this collaboration, master's degree students can go to this Service  individually to be advised on different issues, includingwork topics.

SAE also hostsnew students. It also monitors students with special needs.

Based on this collaboration with the SAE, the master's degree offers several orientation activities to students, both in the field of research and professionalization. These workshops are given by SAE specialists and are aimed at the development of professional skills, research and the generation of professional opportunities.

 

On the other hand, in the activities of the master's degree, theBIE (Barcelona Institute of Entrepreneurship) of the University of Barcelona will give several workshops in groups for entrepreneurs. The BIE provides comprehensive and individual advice to students who want to develop their own idea or have an interest in self-employment once the master's degree is completed.

Given that part of the contents are carried out in different laboratories, the master's degree will organize a Safety session in the Laboratory, taught by specialists in occupational safety.

Students can also access abundant information about university resources, throughMónUB.

On the other hand, there is a section of former students at the University (AlumniUB), where activities and student support are carried out.

The two heads of the master's degree in charge of student support and guidance are Dr. Mercè Bergadà bergada'ub.edu  and Dr. Jordi Nadal jnadal'uoc.edu. They will attend to the student during the enrollment stage, as well as during the development of the studies.

In the spaceFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ) On the Masters of the University of Barcelona, students can find answers to some of the most common questions about the masters, the university and the city of Barcelona.

The master's team performs a welcome start and closing ceremony of the course. The aim of these events is to introduce teachers and students and create an appropriate environment for carrying out collaborative work within a trusted framework.

The University of Barcelona has a unit oflinguistic support. This service also offerslanguage exchange exchanges, for faster learning of languages commonly used in the master's degree.

Scholarships and grants

The University of Barcelona provides students with extensive information on the requirements, procedures and deadlines for applying for a scholarship or grant at the following links:

Other institutions also offer scholarship programmes for master's degree courses in Spain:

It is advisable to consult the scholarships and grants for university master's degree students to find out about the requirements, procedures and deadlines for applying for a scholarship or grant.

There are scholarships and grants at any university stage and of all kinds: to carry out research, to participate in exchange programmes, to access summer courses, to extend studies or research abroad, to work as a reader, to do work placements in other countries, etc.

All this information is accessible from MónUB scholarship portal.