A Research Master is an advanced two-year postgraduate programme with an even higher research component than the Master’s programme, and provides excellent scope for individual student initiative.
The Research Master programme in Archaeology focuses on the research areas that are strongly represented in Leiden. The heart of the programme is organised around the excellent research with which Leiden has made a name for itself internationally.
RMA-students share several modular courses with MA-students. However, there will be some differentiation in the learning objectives and assignments between MA and RMA. Depending on the courses, options for RMA-specific assignments could include one or a combination of the following:
A different focus in the essay and/or presentation assignment, for example: formulating new avenues for innovative future research for the theme selected; and/or presenting a theoretical or methodological “meta” approach to the literature, e.g. in order to critically assess the intellectual position taken by the author(s); and/or placing the research topic into a broader international context, making interregional comparisons in research outcomes and/or methodology; and/or formulating a text on a specialist archaeological topic that is specifically aimed at a non-specialist audience;
Organising, leading and reviewing a session discussion (either within the class environment or at a separate event);
Attending and reviewing an international conference or workshop that is related to the course theme;
Contributing to a publication by the research track that is related to the course theme;
Presenting a poster or paper that is related to the course theme at an international conference or workshop.
Research Master tracks
There are 7 different tracks, centred on the research projects that reflect the broad spectrum of research undertaken within the department:
Human Origins
Prehistoric Farming Communities in Europe
Town and Country in the Mediterranean Region and the Near East
Religion and Society in Native American Cultures
Archaeological Heritage in a Globalising World
The Transformation of the Roman World
Bioarchaeology
Structure of the programme
First year
General part: Advanced archaeological theory 5 ects Teaching assistance 5 ects Conferences and workshops (ARCHON) 5 ects Thesis 1st year 15 ects
Research track: Thematic course 5 ects Research seminar 10 ects 2 modular courses (from the MA programme) 10 ects
Free choice: Any other course from the MA/RMA programme 5 ects
Second year
General part: Epistemology of Archaeology 5 ects Teaching assistance 5 ects Conferences and workshops (ARCHON) 5 ects Thesis 2nd year 20 ects
Research track: Research seminar 10 ects 2 modular courses (from the MA programme) 10 ects
Free choice: Any other course from the Master or Research Master programme 5 ects