Archaeological Science (MSc)

Admission requirements

To be eligible for Archaeological Science at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

General requirements for February 2025 intake

The entry requirements below count for applications for February 2025.

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.
Academic bachelor’s degree obtained at a university in a related field: for instance 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's degree in Archaeology of a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO), or equivalent, with:
- An academic archaeological minor obtained at Leiden University or equivalent or:
- 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.
A prescribed pre-master's programme

See the Course and Examination Regulations for more information.

General requirements for September 2025 intake

The entry requirements below count for applications for September 2025.

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

A bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, obtained at a university in the Netherlands.
An 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.
Academic bachelor’s degree obtained at a university in a related field: for instance 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.
A prescribed pre-master's programme

See the Course and Examination Regulations for more information.

Applicants who have a bachelor’s degree from a university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, but with a lack of specific archaeological knowledge or skills which can be obtained within max 1 year, will be admitted to the master after completing a pre-master's programme of max. 60 credits in the time set for the programme.

We advise you to apply for the master’s programme of your choice. The Board of Admissions will then review your application and will make you a premaster offer if necessary.

Please note that the intake date depends on the type of Premaster

Premaster 60 EC: Intake September only
Premaster 30 EC: Intake February only

For more information about the pre-master's programme see the Prospectus or contact the pre-master coordinator: admission@arch.leidenuniv.nl

Language requirements

Sufficient command of English

An International Baccalaureeate diploma from a programme taught in English (or an IB diploma with English A)
A diploma of secondary or 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 programme completed at a Dutch research university or a Dutch University of Applied sciences.
IELTS 6.5, where each separate constituent score must be at least 6.0Academic modules only. Minimum overall score of 6.5.
TOEFL (internet based) 90, where each separate constituent score must be at least 20. Original test results should be sent directly by the Educational Testing Service. The TOEFL institution code for Leiden University is 0504.
Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.

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, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
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 situation only:
  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 and must be obtained in one single test.

*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 or (for September intake) a diploma of an English-taught higher professional education (hbo) programme completed at a Dutch university of applied sciences.

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.

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