Welcome to the ‘Archaeology and Philology in the Ancient Sciences (ALPHA)’ programme at JGU Mainz, where the past comes to life and the future begins. Our innovative Master’s programme offers a unique combination of broad interdisciplinary training and in-depth specialist knowledge in the disciplines of Egyptology, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Byzantine Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Classical Philology, Near Eastern Archaeology, and Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology. Join us on an exciting journey into the world of the pre-modern and ancient eras.
The degree program promotes international and interdisciplinary experiences that will qualify you for successful academic careers and diverse career paths in current and future professional fields. ALPHA’s interdisciplinary approach transcends the traditional boundaries between archaeology and philology, allowing you to view ancient studies holistically and preparing you for a variety of career paths.
The degree program places great emphasis on teaching specialist knowledge in the areas of history, urban and landscape structures, artefacts, monuments, early writings, languages and texts. Cultural theory, field archaeology, museology, linguistics, literature, natural sciences and digital methods are taught in the seminars.
Through the integration of research-oriented teaching-learning settings, project seminars, internships and field trips, you will gain valuable practical experience that goes beyond the traditional university degree program. This practice-oriented training prepares you optimally for a successful professional future.
The degree program makes this possible through practical phases in various specializations and in the area of professional skills. These internships can be completed both in university projects and in non-university contexts. Take part in excavations, work in a museum during an internship or gain practical experience in heritage conservation.
The degree program promotes research-based learning through involvement in current research projects, exhibition projects and international conferences. This enables you to participate at the forefront of scientific research and discussion.
You have the opportunity to design your own course sequence by choosing a specialization and individual qualification. This not only promotes your professional expertise, but also your personal development and adaptability.
One focus is on independent learning, presentation skills and critical thinking, which are continuously developed in various teaching and examination formats. This promotes your independence and personal responsibility
The degree program prepares you for a wide range of professional fields, from academic research and museum work to jobs in consulting, cultural and project management and beyond.
An insight into career opportunities is provided by the regular colloquium on career profiles.
Practical tasks and object-based studies in the context of the IAW’s collections and those of other museums, as well as citizen science projects, offer the opportunity to actively participate in the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage.
Responsibilities / area of responsibility
- recognition of ALPHA-courses
- Academic counselling on Masters profiles
- Quality management for ALPHA-courses
- Master’s Program Evaluations
- Registration of the focus-field in Jogustine
- Coordination of public relations activities relating to student affairs
- Coordination of Orientation Week, Open House, etc.
- Further development of the degree programme, cooperation agreements with other degree programmes
- Capacity officer
- Fire safety officer
- Please direct any enquiries regarding the specialisations to the corresponding academic advisers
Responsibilities / area of responsibility
Responsibilities / area of responsibility
Responsibilities / area of responsibility
Responsibilities / area of responsibility
Responsibilities / area of responsibility
| Tuesday, 07.04.2026 | Wednesday, 08.04.2026 | Thursday, 09.04.2026 |
| 14:00-15:00 Uhr | Byzantinische Archäologie (Beifach- und ALPHA-Studierende): Informationsveranstaltung mit Dr. Verena Fugger Georg Forster-Gebäude, 2. OG., Seminarraum 02.511 | 10:00-12:00 Uhr | ALPHA-Studiengänge (fächerübergreifend, B.A. und M.A.): Informationsveranstaltung und anschließende Sprechstunde mit Dr. Anne Sieverling Jakob-Welder-Weg 18, Philosophicum I, EG, P3 | 10:00-11:00 Uhr | Vor- und Frühgeschichtliche Archäologie/Provinzialrömische Archäologie/Archäologie der Steinzeiten (Beifach- und AlPhA-Studierende): Informationsveranstaltung mit Prof. Dr. Peter Haupt Treffpunkt Hegelstr. 59, 4. OG, Foyer |
| 2:15-4:00 pm | Classical Philology, Greek and Latin (B.Ed., B.A., ALPHA, B.A. minor subject): Info-persentation followed by a consultation session with Dr. Daniel Groß Jakob-Welder-Weg 18, Philosophicum I, 1. OG, Seminarraum P110 | 12:00-1:00 pm | Student Council: Timetable planning| (Jakob-Welder-Weg 18, Philosophicum I, 2. OG, Seminarraum 02.511 – P210) | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm| Egyptology, Near Eastern Philology and Near Eastern Archaeology (Minor- and ALPHA-Students): Info-presentation with Martina Landrino, Dr. Mari Yamasaki and Letizia Savino Hegelstr. 59, EG, großer Seminarraum 00-309 |
| 13:00-14:30 Uhr | Klassische Archäologie (Beifach und ALPHA-Studierende): Informationsveranstaltung mit Dr. Anne Sieverling | Jakob-Welder-Weg 18, Philosophicum I, 2. OG, Seminarraum 02.511 (P210) | 12:00-12:30 pm | Egyptology: Consultation sessions with Martina Landrino Hegelstr. 59, 2. OG links, Büro 02-212 | |
| ab 15:00 Uhr | Fachschaft: Campus-Tour (Start im Philosophicum) ab ca. 18:30 Uhr | Fachschaft: Ende der Tour im Baron | 12:00-12:30 pm | Near Eastern Archaeology: Consultation with Dr. Mari Yamasaki Hegelstr. 59, 2. OG, Büro 02-108 | |
To register for the colloquium in the final module, please contact Silke Roth by email at roth@uni-mainz.de.
General student advisory ALPHA
Consultation hour by arrangement
- Please send degree program related e-mails to IAW-Studienmanagement@uni-mainz.de
student advisory Egyptologie
Consultation hour by arrangement
student advisory ancient near eastern philology
At present, there is no academic advising available for Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology. However, you are welcome to contact the general academic advising service. We apologise for any inconvenience. We sincerely apologize.
Student advisory Byzantine Srchaeology
Consultation hour by arrangement
Student advisory Classical Archaeology
Consultation hour by arrangement
Student advisory Classical Philology
Consultation hour by arrangement
Student advisory Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology
At present, there is no academic advising available for Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology. However, you are welcome to contact the general academic advising service. We apologise for any inconvenience. We sincerely apologize.
Student advisory Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology
Consultation hour by arrangement
Yes, for example, you can experience a day of student life during the JGU Mainz trial day, or visit our stalls during JGU Mainz’s Open Day in the summer.
Applications and enrollment for the program are handled centrally by the Student Services Office at JGU Mainz. The program has no enrollment restrictions—however, please note the respective application deadlines for the summer semester (December 1–March 1) and the winter semester (June 1–September 1). You submit your application online via the JOGU-StINe application platform. Once your application is approved, you will receive a letter of admission, which you can then use to apply for enrollment.
You can find a description of the exact application process for a subject without requirements at JGU Mainz here: https://www.studium.uni-mainz.de/meine-bewerbung/bewerbungsverfahren/zul-freie-studiengaenge/
Admission to the ALPHA master’s program requires the successful completion of a B.A. program in which a Diploma Supplement verifies that at least 60 LP have been earned in the desired area of specialization, or an equivalent degree with an equivalent scope of subject-specific coursework and examinations.
Depending on the specialization, there are also different language entry requirements. Please refer to the course-specific examination regulations (for the respective specialization, section D.1-2).
As a rule, you choose the specialization that continues your Bachelor’s degree.
As a rule, you have to complete around 6 to 10 modules, depending on the LP allocation of the individual modules.
Not at all. A study plan serves for basic orientation.
Yes, it is generally possible to change your focus subject. This involves a change of subject, which must be submitted to Student Services by the deadlines specified there.
Completed modules and courses can be individually recognized in full or in part after examination in accordance with PO § 9 by the relevant examination committee.
The language of the courses is usually German.
The master’s degree with profile is a study model that allows you to specialize in certain areas and set individual priorities.
In the core research area, you have the opportunity to choose one of three options: Profile 1 (specialization), Profile 2 (supplementary subject) or Profile 3 (supplementary qualifications). This selection allows you to tailor your program of study to your personal interests and appointments. You can find more information at: https://master-mit-profil.uni-mainz.de/
As part of your degree programme, you can acquire a wide range of digital skills, although these may vary depending on your chosen specialisation. The digital skills taught focus particularly on the future oriented matters of data literacy and digital collaboration; specific skills include digital drawing, archaeometry, 3D modelling, database systems, object photography and image editing, etc.
In the area of professional skills, you can further develop your subject-specific skills through internships or field trips. You can also take courses that teach additional professional skills, such as courses for learning or improving modern and ancient languages, project management, and presenting or writing tailored to specific audiences, etc.
Yes, you can switch from the degree programmes previously offered at the IAW to the new ALPHA programme. This counts as a change of degree programme and is subject to the relevant deadlines. Please bear in mind, however, that you will not be able to switch back to your old degree programme, as enrolment in the older IAW degree programmes is no longer possible, even for advanced students, due to a lack of accreditation.
The answer to these questions depends entirely on the courses and modules you have already completed and requires an individual assessment or personal advising. Please contact your academic advisory office or your study management.
Of course you can! You can continue your previous degree program as normal and complete it. A change is not obligatory.
Yes, you can change profiles up to twice during the course of study, including a change of supplementary subject. However, a change is only possible if failed modules in the new profile or supplementary subject are not required modules.
