Top 10 best universities for Archaeology in Europe (2025)
by Cottonbro studio
Europe has a long history of rich culture, so no wonder that it is one of the best places in the world to study archaeology. Whether it’s paleolithic people, the druids, the Vikings, or the medieval era – whatever time in history you’re interested in, you will find it in Europe.
Fearless fictional adventurers like Indiana Jones or Lara Croft may not portray the real life of an archaeologist exactly, but it still is an exciting and interesting field. So, if you fancy yourself to be the next Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt (the French Egyptologist), Heinrich Schliemann (who discovered the city of Troy), then studying archaeology might just be the right choice for you.
Find Archaeology degrees fully taught in English
The World University Rankings are annual reviews of the world’s top universities. Institutions are ranked based on their academic reputation, student support and faculty. We’ve listed the top ten European universities for archaeology for you below according to them.
| Rank in Europe | Institution | Location | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Cambridge | Cambridge, United Kingdom | 98.9 |
| 2 | University of Oxford | Oxford, United Kingdom | 97.7 |
| 3 | UCL | London, United Kingdom | 96.1 |
| 4 | Durham University | Durham, United Kingdom | 90.3 |
| 5 | Leiden University | Leiden, Netherlands | 90.3 |
| 6 | Sapienza University of Rome | Rome, Italy | 88 |
| 7 | Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen | Tübingen, Germany | 85.7 |
| 8 | Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne | Paris, France | 84.8 |
| 9 | Freie Universität Berlin | Berlin, Germany | 83.7 |
| 10 | Christian-Albrechts-University zu Kiel | Kiel, Germany | 83.6 |
If you specifically want to study Archaeology in the UK, then the Guardian's is worth a look. It also puts Cambridge and Oxford near the top.
Study in Europe: Find Bachelors & Masters in Archaeology
Becoming an archaeologist is a dream for many. Thrilling adventure movies such as Indiana Jones may not portray the real life of an archaeologist exactly, but it still is an exciting and interesting field. A successful archaeologist must have a love of history and culture. They should be curious, determined and patient. Whip cracking skills are optional!
If you think archaeology might be the subject for you, then do some of your own digging (another good skill you’ll need!). Reach out to people who already work in the sector. Read online threads on Reddit, watch YouTube videos, and connect with people on LinkedIn.
A good archaeologist always does their research, so make sure you do yours too!
Many universities in Europe offer courses that are taught in English. As always, we recommend that you check the websites of the specific universities that you are interested in. When choosing a university, it is important to prioritize institutions that have good connections with projects. Archaeology is a practical subject, so find out what opportunities you will have to do field work or what connections to a museum the university might have.
Application deadlines and entry requirements will vary depending on the university and country. In Scandinavia, for example, they usually close earlier. While other universities such as the University of Cambridge have deadlines in April but also accept students on a rolling basis for some degrees. If the website is not transparent about it, applying as early as possible can help secure a spot before the courses fill up.
Archaeology is a broad subject – you are dealing with thousands of years of history after all. So, the courses available to you will be just as varied. Some will be more practical, and some will be more theory focused. A good course will give you a variety of knowledge, skills and experience. It all helps you build a strong CV!
Typical subjects that you can expect to study include:
On average, the fees for archaeology in Europe are between €0 and €10,000 a year for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees depending on whether you are an EU or non-EU student. In the UK, they can go up to €35,000, so make sure you check before you start your application.
Some universities such as Cambridge don't encourage students to take side jobs while studying. This is because they want you to be fully focused on your learning experience. That said, that can be tricky, because when doing a Bachelors or Masters in Archaeology, you are also encouraged to participate in excavations for hands-on experience. These are not necessarily paid work and travelling and staying somewhere may rack up additional costs.
The applications process will vary between universities, but most institutions will ask for the following:
Entrance exams for archaeology are not common but consult the individual universities website for more information.
When applying for an Archaeology Master, it is beneficial to already have practical experience, for example from excavations/field schools, or working in a museum. In fact, relevant professional experience may sometimes also make up for grades that are otherwise not sufficient for admission.
Archaeology is a fascinating and fulfilling career, however it is also challenging and competitive.
The nature of an archeologist’s work may mean that you will need to travel a lot. There may not be many career opportunities where you want to live, or those opportunities might be highly competitive.
The salary for an archaeologist depends a lot on the country you are in and the job position, but they are usually not high during the first few years. At the beginning of your career, you can also expect to do a lot of dirty work, such as digging and cleaning.
Typical job titles include:
If it's not clear, another option is to start with a broad degree in Humanities or Social Sciences and later specialize in Archaeology through a Master's programme. Here are some examples:
Ready to learn more?
Check out these Bachelors & Masters in Europe
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