The Research master programme in Classics and Ancient Civilizations: Assyriology is a two-year programme, which prepares students to pursue academic research positions in the field of languages and civilizations of Ancient Mesopotamia and Anatolia from a philological, linguistic, historical or socio-religious point of view. 

Study Plan

At the start of their studies, students are required to hand in the form Study Plan Research MA Classics and Ancient Civilizations to the Co-ordinator of Studies in order to check if the study plan meets the requirements of the Research Master programme.

Should the study plan contain other courses than listed on the Prospectus, the Co-ordinator of Studies will send the form to the Board of Examiners for approval.

Guide to Academic Skills Classics and Ancient Civilizations

This guide aims to describe the academic skills that you need to master when following the (Res)MA programme in Classics and Ancient Civilizations. As an MA student, you will need to employ general academic skills: you should be able to conduct research and present the results of that research in papers and theses, or in oral presentations. And you should be able to engage in critical discussions of research with your peers and teachers. Accordingly, the general academic skills that you should master include research skills, writing skills, oral presentation skills, and cooperative skills. This guide provides an overview of these skills, and consists of practical information about relevant sources, reference works and tools, examples of grading forms and lists do’s and don’ts for oral and written presentations.

Programme details

The study load of the Research Master programme runs up to 120 EC and is spread over four semesters. To complete the specialisation in Assyriology, students attend 55 EC of electives within the specialisation track Assyriology. The topics of the electives can vary every academic year. Language modules in Akkadian, Sumerian and Hittite are offered every academic year both at an introductory and an advanced level; this allows students to acquire or perfect their reading skills as required. 

In addition to the track electives, two core common courses are part of the programme (compulsory for all students), concentrating on "The Commentary" and "Cultural Contact in the Hellenistic World". Research MA students also take a course offered by a research school. OIKOS (the National Research School in Classical Studies) offers a module on “Cuneiform Epigraphy” where students learn the skills to handle, read and edit original cuneiform inscriptions and a module focusing on the culture and language of the Mycenaean World. Students apply for a full membership of OIKOS via the online applications form. 

The structure of the study programme:

First semester 

• Common core course 1 (10 EC) 
• Track electives (20 EC) 

Second semester

• Track electives (20 EC) 
• Course research school (10 EC) 

Third semester

• Common core course 2 (10 EC) 
• Tutorial in preparation for the thesis (5 EC)  
• Track elective (15 EC) 

Fourth semester

• Thesis presentation and research proposal (5 EC) 
• Master thesis (25 EC)

The Prospectus contains course details for all programmes in the Faculty of Humanities (and other faculties). Please consult the Assyriology (research) section of the Prospectus for more (detailed) information about the programme and for recent courses on offer. The information in the Prospectus is updated annually, in June.