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Study programmes > Studies in foreign language > Archaeology (Studies in English) > Archaeology, full-time, first cycle program in English

Archaeology, full-time, first cycle program in English (S1-PRK-AR-ANG)

(in Polish: Archaeology (Studies in English), stacjonarne, pierwszego stopnia w jęz. angielskim)
first cycle program
full-time, 3-year studies
Language: English

First-cycle full-time studies in Archaeology are the only such course with instruction in English offered in Poland. Over the last few years, our courses have garnered increased interest among foreign candidates.

The course programme extensively covers new trends in archaeological research and discusses archaeology’s social functioning. This lays a foundation for studies which, being focused mostly on the Mediterranean archaeology, aim to provide students with elementary knowledge and practical skills enabling them to participate in excavations anywhere around the world.

The programme includes a wide range of courses, from general introduction to ancient cultures of the Mediterranean and South America, through excavation methodology, to practical field documentation, data acquisition and processing techniques indispensable in the modern academic practice, or museology which prepares students to organise their own exhibitions and cooperate with cultural institutions. The final year of the first-cycle full-time studies, in addition to continuation of previous learning, requires students to choose a BA seminar and prepare their bachelor’s thesis.

A significant role within the programme is played by fieldwork practicum:

  • field survey, usually performed in spring or autumn;
  • no less than 3 excavation seasons, performed usually in summer. The excavations are directed by researchers affiliated by the Faculty of Archaeology at the University of Warsaw, or abroad – in Egypt, Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, Italy (Sicily), South America, and many more locations.

The classes are held in the Main Campus of the University of Warsaw, namely the Main School which has housed the Faculty of Archaeology for over a decade.

Detailed information about the first-cycle full-time studies in English can be found at the website of Faculty of Archaeology.

During the studies, students acquire specialist knowledge in archaeology enabling their active participation in excavations at sites of diverse character – reading and documenting stratigraphy, handling measuring devices, preparing research or museum catalogue entries, searching archives, performing scholarly analyses, drawing conservation records, as well as realising exhibitions.

Professional and general knowledge developed in the course of the studies, as well as competences in individual work and cooperation within a team, form a strong base for further studies at the second-cycle level in archaeology and other fields.

Qualification awarded:

First cycle degree - BA - in archeology

Access to further studies:

second cycle program

Learning outcomes

Student knows and understands
K_W01 has a basic knowledge of the place and importance of archaeology as a science and humanities discipline, the socio-cultural past of mankind and its methodological specifics
K_W02 knows the basic concepts and terminology used in archaeology in English
K_W03 has a basic knowledge of the documentation, analysis and interpretation of archaeological sources, with particular emphasis on Mediterranean archaeology
K_W04 has a structured general knowledge of ancient communities, especially in the Mediterranean area, including terminology, theories and methodology within the field of archaeology
K_W05 has detailed knowledge of selected ancient communities, especially from the Mediterranean area, including terminology, theories and methodology within the field of archaeology
K_W06 has a basic knowledge of the relations between archaeology and other disciplines of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and other sciences
K_W07 understands the relationship between the achievements of a selected field of science and the prospects of their use in archaeology
K_W08 has a basic knowledge of the main directions of development and the most important new achievements in archaeology, with particular emphasis on Mediterranean archaeology
K_W09 knows and understands the basic methods of analysis and interpretation of various cultural artefacts, appropriate for indicated traditions, theories and research schools in the field of archaeology, with particular emphasis on the achievements of Mediterranean archaeology
K_W10 has an organized general knowledge of the methods and techniques of documentation of archaeological sources, with particular emphasis on the achievements of Mediterranean archaeology
K_W11 knows and understands the basic methods of analysis and interpretation of information from scientific publications published in English
K_W12 knows and understands the basic methods of analysis of ancient, medieval or modern texts
K_W13 has a structured basic knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and word formation of a selected language of an ancient civilization from the Mediterranean area
K_W14 has a basic knowledge of human evolution and general mechanisms of adaptation to various environmental conditions, with particular emphasis on the environments of the Mediterranean basin
K_W15 has a general knowledge of the properties of raw materials and ancient technologies of utilising them, with particular emphasis on raw materials available in the Mediterranean basin
K_W16 knows and understands the basic concepts and principles of the protection of copyright and industrial property law in Poland and other European countries
K_W17 has basic knowledge and orientation in contemporary museology and the promotion of cultural heritage in Poland and other European countries
K_W18 knows occupational health and safety principles required in archaeological work
K_W19 knows the basic principles of professional ethics of an archaeologist
K_W20 knows the basic principles of operation of private archaeological companies, museums, conservation structures and institutions for the protection of archaeological heritage in Poland and other European countries
K_W21 has a basic knowledge of the principles and possibilities of obtaining funds for scientific research and archaeological works in Poland and other European countries

Student can
K_U01 can search, analyze, evaluate, select and use information about archaeological sources and their context using literature and digital media in English
K_U02 can search, analyze, evaluate, select and use information obtained from various sources
K_U03 can independently interpret archaeological sources, selecting appropriate analytical methods, and present the obtained results in English
K_U04 can independently acquire knowledge and develop research skills in the field of archaeology, following the guidance of a tutor
K_U05 can independently acquire knowledge and develop skills in the field of complexity and participation of culture in human evolution
K_U06 can independently acquire knowledge of the selected language of an ancient civilization from the Mediterranean basin and develop the skills of translation of texts, following the guidance of a tutor
K_U07 can apply the acquired language skills in the field of the selected language of the ancient Mediterranean civilization
K_U08 can recognize different types of texts in the chosen language of an ancient Mediterranean civilization
K_U09 can use basic research terms and theoretical approaches appropriate for archaeology in English
K_U10 can recognize various types of products of material culture, including their context, and properly document them and carry out their critical analysis and interpretation in English
K_U11 can recognize, analyze and use source texts useful in the archaeological work
K_U12 can identify, analyze, use and classify archaeological sources, with particular emphasis on sources from the Mediterranean basin
K_U13 can discover simple relationships between artefacts and past cultural and social processes, with particular reference to the Mediterranean area
K_U14 can apply appropriate archaeological methods and techniques
K_U15 can present current research theses in English, formulate conclusions in English and select argumentation strategies at the elementary level as well as construct arguments and counter-arguments in English
K_U16 can communicate in English using various channels and communication techniques with specialists in archaeology and related sciences
K_U17 can prepare oral presentations in English on specific issues in the field of archaeology, also with the use of information and communication technologies
K_U18 can use a foreign language at the B2 level of the European System for the Description of Languages
K_U19 can work in a team and communicate in English using specialized terminology in the field of archaeology
K_U20 can prepare written essays in English on specific problems, using various source materials and present the results of your research using information and communication technologies
K_U21 can apply the principles of occupational health and safety in archaeological activities
K_U22 can plan work during archaeological excavations and surveys
K_U23 can plan research work
K_U24 can interact with other people in interdisciplinary teams using English
K_U25 can plan the course of study and future research career, following the guidance of a tutor
K_U26 can look for opportunities to expand knowledge and improve professional skills outside the university

Student is able to
K_K01 able to use the knowledge and skills obtained during studies and is aware of the need to confront them with the opinions of experts
K_K02 able to recognize the essential importance of material remains, ancient languages and written sources as part of human cultural heritage
K_K03 able to appreciate the unique value of archaeological sources and their role in recreating the human past, with particular emphasis on the history of the Mediterranean area
K_K04 able to critically evaluate the interpretation of archaeological and historical sources, with the awareness of the multifaceted nature of the interpretation
K_K05 able to use the knowledge concerning the complex nature of culture and its complexity, aware of the need to analyze various categories of sources to reconstruct the human past
K_K06 able to emphasize the importance of the cultural heritage of mankind in understanding the process of economic, social and cultural changes from the earliest times to the present day, with particular emphasis on the history of the Mediterranean basin
K_K07 able to recognize one's responsibility for the preservation of cultural heritage
K_K08 able to fulfil obligations related to the dissemination of knowledge about the archaeological heritage, with particular emphasis on Mediterranean archaeology
K_K09 able to initiate cooperation with local communities concerning archaeological research and excavations
K_K10 able to recognize the social role of archaeology
K_K11 able to recognize the importance of ethical issues related to scientific integrity and honesty and accepting responsibility for the accuracy of decisions made when obtaining archaeological sources, following the applicable law of the country where the research is carried out
K_K12 able to recognize and respect different points of view determined by different cultural backgrounds
K_K13 able to responsible fulfil the professional role in compliance with the principles of occupational health and safety
K_K14 able to take care of the achievements and traditions of the archaeologist profession

Admission procedures:

Visit the following page for details on admission procedures: https://irk.uw.edu.pl/