Bachelor of Arts (B. A.): Egyptology/Ancient Near Eastern Studies

ATTENTION: The Bachelor's degree program "Egyptology / Ancient Oriental Studies" expires on 31.03.2024! Enrolment is no longer possible. Students who are already enrolled can of course continue their studies on this course until the end.

Prerequisites
  • Officially certified proof of German language proficiency at the advanced level, i.e. completed level C 1. Prior to enrolment, you have to pass the DSH-2 exam or provide a certified copy of the DSH-2 exam (or equivalent) that you have passed. JGU Mainz offers German preparatory courses; please see the information provided by the International Admission Office. (https://www.studying.uni-mainz.de/german-language-requirements/)
The subject

The course of study for a Bachelor of Arts in Egyptology/Ancient Near Eastern Studies conveys basic knowledge of the cultures of Ancient Egypt and the Ancient Near East. At JGU Mainz, the course is offered as a main (120 LP) and a secondary (60 LP) subject.

Additionally, you can choose from a broad range of main and secondary subjects at JGU Mainz. A complete list of the possible combinations with Egyptology/Ancient Near Eastern Studies is compiled in this PDF.

Among the participating disciplines of Egyptology, Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology and Languages of the Ancient Near East, you are required to choose one specialisation:

Egyptology

Students of Egyptology will learn about selected aspects of the ancient Egyptian culture from its origin in the 4th Millennium BCE until its decline in the 7th century CE. This includes the hieroglyphic writing system, the stage of language known as Middle Egyptian, and the areas of literature, history, religion, architecture, art, economics, medicine, mathematics, music, technology and the analysis of a large variety of the material legacy. If you choose it as a main subject, you will also gain knowledge of a second stage of the Egyptian language, such as Old Egyptian, Late Egyptian, Demotic, Coptic or Ptolemaic.

Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology

The subject of Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology introduces you to the material heritage of the Ancient Near East, including Mesopotamia (Iraq), Iran, Asia Minor, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. The period of research spans the period from the earliest Neolithic settlements in the 10th Millennium BCE to the 1st Millennium BCE. In addition to art and archaeology, central topics of this core area are history, religion, economics and the society of the Ancient Near East.

Languages of the Ancient Near East

The subject of Languages of the Ancient Near East primarily deals with the investigation of cuneiform literature, i.e. the large diversity of documents preserved in various languages (e.g. Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Hittite, and Hurrian) of the Ancient Near East from the end of the 4th Millennium BCE until the beginning of the Common Era. Based on literary, juridical-administrative, scientific and magical-religious texts written down mainly on clay tablets, you will gain a broad knowledge of the cultures of the Ancient Near East. In this core area, you will learn Akkadian in all its variety.

The study program

The standard period of study is six semesters (three years). During this time, it is possible to spend a semester abroad (for example within ERASMUS) or at another German University (within the PONS project), or both.

The course of study (when chosen as the main subject) includes practical experience, in which you participate in internships and excursions and learn about relevant methods in working environments, such as museums, excavations, special exhibitions and media. Additionally, 6 credit points have to be compiled through interdisciplinary studies. You will conclude your course of study with a Bachelor thesis, in which you are obliged to prove your basic skills in scientific work. If the supervisors of the thesis consent, it is possible to submit a Bachelor thesis in English, but we expect you to speak and understand German in order to participate in the study program. The entire course of study conveys different scientific methods and soft skills in the presentation of scientific matters. Furthermore, a wide range of on-site research activities provides an insight into a professional career.

Study office

If you have any questions concerning the content of the Bachelor’s degree in Egyptology/Ancient Near Eastern Studies, or if you wish to make a personal appointment, please do not hesitate to contact our student advisory service. They would love to help you!

Egyptology: Dr. Simone Gerhards, Email: gerhards@uni-mainz.de, Tel. 06131 - 39 38339.
Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology/Languages of the Ancient Near East: Dr. Alexander Tamm, Email: atamm@uni-mainz.de

The office of The Institute of Ancient Studies manages the degree program. It is the first point of contact for all of your organisational issues.

Study Manager: Dr. Nadine Gräßler graessle@uni-mainz.de, Tel. 06131 - 39 38346
Exam Manager: Giorgi Maisuradze M. A. maisurad@uni-mainz.de, Tel. 06131 39-22587
Course Manager: Dr. Silke Roth roth@uni-mainz.de, Tel. 06131 - 39 22587
International Study Office (temporary): Dr. Oliver Gupte gupte@uni-mainz.de, Tel. 06131 - 39 38480