IB Pathways
Several archaeologists undertaking different excavation activities such as troweling and emptying a wheelbarrow.

Leiden University · Netherlands

Archaeology

How past societies lived, reconstructed from material remains, with theory in class and hands-on fieldwork; Leiden's large archaeology faculty lets you specialise by region and period.

Worcestershire Archaeology · CC BY 4.0

Where
LeidenNetherlands
Degree
BA
Length
3 years
Taught in
English
Starts
Autumn 2027
Apply by
1 May 2027
Admission
Open to all who qualify
EU/EEA fee
€2,7712027/28 statutory fee
More facts
Degree
BA
Length
3 years
Taught in
English
Starts
Autumn 2027

Deadlines

  1. 1 December 2026*

    Create your Studielink account
    Your own plan
    Details

    Not an official deadline. With a Dutch address you log in with DigiD, which the government says takes about five days. Without one you upload a scan or photo of your passport or EU identity card and Studielink verifies it automatically. Either way, do it well before 15 January.

    Source

  2. 1 May 2027

    Programmes without numerus fixus (with matching): apply by
    Hard deadline
    DetailsSource

  3. 6 July 2027*

    IB results released
    Details

    Both Dutch deadlines fall well before this. How a conditional place pending results is handled is set by each institution; ask yours.

    Source

* Last year’s date, not yet confirmed.

Every date in the Netherlands

What it is

The programme covers past societies, cultures and human behaviour, combining archaeological theory with practice and a broad view of the discipline. You take part in national and international fieldwork, work in laboratory practicals and join the research projects of staff. Contemporary issues such as migration, globalisation and climate change are seen through an archaeological lens, and you can focus on heritage in society, including policy and the heritage of migrant communities. Graduates find work in fields such as heritage management and museums, or continue to a master.

What you need

  • Full IB Diploma required (not certificates); send grade 11, November grade 12 and predicted grades. English-taught IB or English A HL waives the English test. Science programmes set HL subjects.
Requirements in full

Where it says so

Check it on universiteitleiden.nl

How places are decided

    • Everyone eligible is admitted
    Not selective: meet the requirements and you are admitted. Apply by 1 May 2027; online matching is compulsory, its advice not binding.
Sources (2)
  1. Archaeology at Leiden — checked 2026-09-30
  2. IB applicants at Leiden

Other degrees at Leiden