# Prehistory and Historical Archaeology (Bachelor)

**Source**: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/bachelordiploma-programmes/prehistory-and-historical-archaeology-bachelor/
**Parent**: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/bachelordiploma-programmes/

The bachelor’s programme in Prehistory and Historical Archaeology aims at equipping students with the necessary competences to participate in research projects in the humanities and cultural studies. Graduates are qualified to communicate research findings from the area of prehistory and historical archaeology in cultural communication, public relations, museums as well as tourism. Moreover, students acquire the basic knowledge required for further studies in a master’s programme in the area of history or cultural history. Graduates have subject-specific knowledge of archaeological finds and dating and are able to determine the cultural origin of finds. The use of material sources in teaching allows graduates to get a multi-faceted picture of history and cultural history.

### Bachelor of Arts

Degree Programme Code: 033 601

6 semesters / 180 ECTS credits (including 60 ECTS credits of [extension curricula](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/extension-curricula-and-alternative-extensions/))

Language: [German](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/german-language-proficiency/)

NO entrance examination

[Curriculum](https://mtbl.univie.ac.at/storage/media/mtbl02/2023_2024/2023_2024_318.pdf)

### Facts & Figures

- Students: **301**
- Graduates in the last academic year: **40**
- Number of semesters needed for graduation (median): **6,7**

*Data updated on: 26.11.2025*

[Information about presentation & calculation](https://backend.univie.ac.at/index.php?id=157848&L=2&id=157848)

*\*[Click here for further information on statistical data in the field of teaching and learning. (in German)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/studienangebot/warum-hier-studieren/statistische-daten-zum-studienbetrieb/)*

### Attention

#### Instruction Language German

Please note that the instruction language of this programme is German. To start the degree programme, you need to hold a [certificate of German proficiency on C1 level](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/german-language-proficiency/).

[### uni:check](https://unicheck.univie.ac.at/en/)

### Admission Procedure

[Additional exam in Latin (during the degree programme)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/additional-exams/)

[Information about the admission procedure](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/bachelordiploma-programmes/prehistory-and-historical-archaeology/)

### Getting Started

[Orientation course](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/bachelordiploma-programmes/prehistory-and-historical-archaeology-bachelor/)

[Orientation in the first semester](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/study-organisation/)

[Semester planning](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/semester-planning/)

[Introductory and orientation period (STEOP)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/semester-planning/introductory-and-orientation-period-steop/)

### Getting Informed

[Department of Prehistory and Historical Archaeology](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/pvz_sub.html?id=404)

[Students' Representatives Prehistory and Historical Archaeology](http://www.asvoe.org/joomla/index.php/wir-ueber-uns-ufg)

## Study programme

The bachelor’s programme consists of an Introductory and Orientation Period (STEOP), the compulsory module „Methods of Natural Sciences in Prehistory and Historical Archaeology“, the groups of elective modules „Epochs of Prehistory“, and „Epochs of Protohistory and Historical Archaeology“, and the compulsory modules Excavation Techniques and Basic Qualifications. To successfully complete the programme, students have to write a bachelor’s thesis.

### Five concepts

which you will deal with during your studies:

- Prehistory and historical archaeology
- Time periods and cultural eras
- Theory and methodology
- Field archaeology
- Stratigraphy

... and many more.

## Overview of the programme structure & topics

Here you find the current offer of courses for this programme to gain better insight into the topics and structure. For more information please click on the respective level.

[Orientation Course](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336313)

[Introductory and Orientation Period (20 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336225)

[PM 1 Principles of Thinking in Historical and Cultural Studies (5 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336197)

[PM 2 Theories and Methods in Prehistory and Historical Archaeology (15 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336198)

[PM 3 Methods of Natural Sciences in Prehistory and Historical Archaeology (12 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336199)

[Group of elective modules: Epochs of Prehistory (27 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336226)

[WM 1 Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Period (9 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336200)

[WM 2 Neolithic Period and Copper Age (9 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336201)

[WM 3 Bronze Age (9 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336202)

[WM 4 Iron Age (9 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336203)

[Group of elective modules: Epochs of Protohistory and Historical Archaeology (27 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336227)

[WM 5 Roman Empire and Late Antiquity (9 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336204)

[WM 6 Migration Period and Early Middle Ages (9 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336205)

[WM 7 Medieval Archaeology (9 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336206)

[WM 8 Archaeology of Modern Times and Contemporary History (9 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336207)

[PM 4 Excavation Techniques (15 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336208)

[PM 5 Basic Qualifications in Archaeology (11 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336209)

[PM 6 Bachelor‘s Thesis (8 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336210)

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## After Graduation

Graduates are able to participate in archaeological practices, such as field surveys and excavations, and record and assess archaeological finds. Furthermore, graduates are able to prepare technical reports and presentations for public relations and know the theoretical basics of a historic academic discipline. In addition, they are also aware of its special interdisciplinary approaches, required for the analysis of archaeological finds. Students acquire the necessary knowledge enabling them to participate in research projects in the area of the humanities and cultural studies. Graduates are qualified to communicate knowledge about prehistory and historical archaeology in the following areas: cultural communication, public relations, work at museums and tourism.

### Master's Programmes

- [Prehistory and Historical Archaeology (Master)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/prehistory-and-historical-archaeology-master/)
- [Master Access Guide](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/master-access-guide/)

### Continuing after Graduation

- [Alumni of the University of Vienna](https://www.alumni.ac.at/)
- [Postgraduate Center - postgraduate programmes at the University of Vienna\](http://www.postgraduatecenter.at/en)
- [Uniport - career service of the University of Vienna\](https://www.uniport.at/uniport-fuer-studierende)

### Graduates' Perspective on the Degree Programme

[#### Degree programme in retrospect](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/en/analyses/graduate-surveys/)

### Graduates ...

- say that this degree programme receives the grade: 2.2 (good)
- rate the level of difficulty as: 2,7 (appropriate)

→ These results are basd on feedback from 49 graduates.

\**You can find further assessments of the degree programme from its graduates’ perspective in the graduate survey of the**[bachelor’s programme in Prehistory](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/d_qualitaetssicherung/Dateidownloads/AbsolventInnenbefragungen/2021/Bachelor/061_Bachelor_Urgeschichte_und_historische_Archologie_public.pdf) graduation survey (in German).*

[#### Career entry & paths](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/en/analyses/graduate-tracking/)

### Graduates ...

- find employment within 5 months after graduation on average.

\*You can find further information on career entry and career paths in the tracking of graduates "[Diploma Programme Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/d_qualitaetssicherung/Dateidownloads/AbsolventInnentracking/2023/englisch/UA_F1_2023_DI_Prehistoric_and_Protohistoric_Archaeology_en.pdf)".

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