After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• conduct independent creative research work and solve more complex problems on the basis of the current state of knowledge in European archaeology
• work analytically with specialized literature in Czech and foreign languages
• present research results on an adequate level in both oral and written forms, publishing in professional literature
• plan, conduct, and publish archaeological research, including elaborating and preparing the required reports, carrying out evaluations, and conducting expert activity in the field of archaeological monument care
• participate in educational and promotional activities in academic institutions, managing small research teams

Graduates are fully knowledgeable about theory, methodology, and practice within the discipline, which enables them find employment in the spheres of basic and applied research (academic institutions, universities, museums, and all levels of monument care). Graduates are qualified as site directors during excavations, as the authors of excavation reports and publication outputs from these excavations, and as managers of small research teams. They are prepared to work as heads of departments for monument care within the state administration or institutes of monument care, and to work in the field of research or culture management and public relations. Graduates in general will find employment in all positions demanding systematic acquisition, analysis, and administration of data as well as decision-making skills.

The standard duration of studies is four semesters. For admittance to the final state examination, students must obtain for type A/required, type B/selective, and type C/elective courses a total of 120 credits in the single-subject study and 70/50 credits in the dual concentration study (degree/non-degree studies). Type A/required courses create the basis of specialized tuition within the discipline and their proportion is 46 credits for degree study (including credits for courses focused on writing a Master’s thesis), and 26 credits for non-degree study (including credits for courses focused on writing a specialized Master’s thesis). Type B/selective courses are 26/12 credits (single-subject/dual concentration study) that students choose according to their interests and intended professional specialization. The remaining credits are awarded to students for completion of any current optional courses offered within this or/and other disciplines.

During the course of their studies, students should follow the study catalogue valid for their year of matriculation. The study catalogues for the individual years of matriculation are available at the Faculty of Arts website.

A compulsory part of specialized studies is the practical training. Master’s degree students are obliged to complete three weeks of practical training in field research at arbitrary excavations conducted by the Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Archaeological Heritage, museums, or other archaeological institutions. The completion of practical training is approved upon the issuance of a certificate by the institution in which the practical training has taken place.

The students must pass the state examination and successfully defend the Master’s thesis. The final state examination is oral. The commission poses five questions on the following topics: 1) theory and methodology of archaeology, organization of archaeology in the Czech and Slovak Republics; 2) prehistoric archaeology of Europe, early prehistory; 3) prehistoric archaeology of Europe, later prehistory; 4) early historic archaeology of Europe; and 5) early and high medieval archaeology of Europe. The questions are based on topics and literature covered within the Master’s studies. The students are supposed to be knowledgeable about European archaeology and relevant literature.

Graduates from the Master’s study programme in the field of archaeology can (after having met the admission requirements) continue with doctoral studies in any chosen programme. At the Faculty of Arts at Masaryk University, it is possible to continue directly in doctoral studies in the field of archaeology.