Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World
The programme aims to provide a basic, solid knowledge and training in the management and promotion of the tangible and intangible Cultural Heritage of several civilizations of the past, which flourished in Europe, north Africa, Eastern and Western Asia.
The programme covers four intertwined areas: 1. Tangible Cultural Heritage: history and interpretation; 2. Tangible Cultural Heritage: discovering, cataloguing, preserving and archiving; 3. Intangible Cultural Heritage: history, anthropology, philosophy, history of religions, law; 4. Intangible Cultural Heritage: languages and literatures.
The programme adopts an interdisciplinary approach, designed to explore the multi-faceted variety of ancient civilizations, with an emphasis on cultural intersections, contacts and tensions. This comparative approach will enable students to acquire basic know-how, breadth of vision and critical awareness, so as to address the current international debate on the relevance of studying ancient civilizations and its value for critically assessing the complexities of today's world.
Students can benefit from a wide range of expertise, research and teaching within both Universities, which are located in two exceptionally stimulating cities such as Milan and Venice. With their unique combination of tradition and innovation, past and present, ancient and modern, the two cities represent an ideal framework for studying Cultural Heritage and an exceptionally rich added value in terms of pedagogic experience
A curricular internship involving a specific initial training may result in further jobs such as: Collaborator of cultural volunteering networks; Art Handler in charge of Fine Arts custom operations; Fine Art Specialist in a logistics company. Furthemore, graduates will be able to find employment as Cultural Communicator and Popularizer or Consultant for the entertainment industry with a historical-cultural setting.
Finally, subject to further qualifying post-graduate training, graduate will be able to find employment as tourist guides.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
University of Milan supports international mobility through the International Agreements and Projects Office for teaching and training and of the International Mobility and International Promotion Office.
https://www.unimi.it/it/internazionale/studiare-allestero/partire-con-erasmus
The agreements entered into by the University with over 300 universities from the 27 EU member countries under the European Erasmus+ programme allow regularly enrolled students to carry out part of their studies at one of the partner universities or to undertake internships at companies, training and research centres or other organizations.
Similar international mobility opportunities are provided outside the EU through specific agreements with a number of prestigious institutions.
Students will also have access to an extensive catalogue of online courses offered by partner universities of the 4EU+ alliance of which University of Milan is a member.
https://www.unimi.it/it/internazionale/la-statale-nel-mondo/la-statale-partecipa-4eu/mobilita-e-nuovi-percorsi-formativi-4eu/4eu-gli-studenti-delluniversita-statale-di-milano
University of Venice supports international mobility through the ADiSS International Relations Office. Students benefit from the international mobility opportunities offered by Ca' Foscari University of Venice (https://www.unive.it/pag/12577/) , such as:
- Erasmus+ KA 131 Programme offers the opportunity to spend a study period (from 2 to 12 months) at one of the partner universities, who have signed an agreement with Ca' Foscari;
- Erasmus+ program KA 171 - International Credit Mobility (ICM) allows the implementation of mobility projects for study and internship outside Europe;
- Overseas programme aims to maintain Scientific and Cultural Cooperation Agreements with non-European universities for the mobility of students;
- SEMP - Swiss European Mobility Programme promotes students mobility funded by the Swiss National Agency;
- Visiting Students Programme allows students to study abroad outside the frame of the above mentioned mobility programs.
A sound knowledge of English (level B2 of the European reference framework) is also required to make the best of the programme.
Pursuant to Art. 2 of Italian Law 264/1999, the enrolment in the Bachelor's programme has a cap on student numbers. This is to ensure the feasibility of compulsory internships in organizations and companies (as required by the programme and its learning objectives) and the availability of computer workstations with suitable classroom assistance (as required by the blended teaching and learning of programme: see below).
The maximum number of students is set at 100 included a number of spots (max 25) that will be reserved for non-EU candidates residing abroad. Based on available resources, the relevant Academic bodies will determine the number of students that can enroll annually.
The admission test assesses the basic knowledge and skills required to enroll in the programme namely a general understanding of historical, cultural and methodological facts as well as a basic comprehension of a literary text (in English).
Candidates should correctly answer at least 50% of the questions in each of the two areas (namely, general knowledge and reading comprehension).
OFA (Obblighi formativi aggiuntivi) are defined as further requirements for all students who fail to meet the 50% threshold in either (or both) of the two sections (general knowledge and reading comprehension) of the admission test. Students falling short of the threshold may be admitted at discretion but must undergo a specific training designed to address their areas of weakness. Within the first year of enrolment, they will be given the opportunity to sit the test again. Second-year exams will only be available to students who have passed the test. Further information is found at https://ancient-civilization.cdl.unimi.it.
The selection takes place in two sessions that will be held in May and in July 2024. Each selection contributes to the coverage of a quota of the total available places and has its own deadlines and requirements. For each of the two sessions, candidates must comply with all the procedures and deadlines set out below.
EU candidates:
The following requirements apply:
May session: both candidates who will obtain their high-school diploma in Italy or abroad (or equivalent qualification) within the 2023/2024 school year, and candidates already in possession of it can apply.
July session: applicants must hold their high-school diploma (or equivalent qualification), or be able to demonstrate its possession by the time of enrolling.
Non-EU candidates applying for a student visa:
May session: applicants must be enrolled in the final year of a secondary school, and obtain their qualification within the 2023/2024 school year.
Important. In this session 25 spots are reserved for NON-EU applicants (i.e. in need of a student visa): in order to benefit from the protected list it is mandatory to sit the test in this session. NON-EU applicants will be all ranked in a dedicated list. Those who will remain excluded and other NON-EU prospective applicants are invited to check the programme?s website to see whether any spots have remained vacant after the first admission session.
July session: applicants must already hold their secondary school qualification or be able to demonstrate its possession by the time of enrolling. NON-EU applicants (i.e. in need of a visa) are welcome to apply if available spots have been announced as per the previous point.
English OFA
OFA apply to proficiency in English (at a B2 level CEFR or higher) as well.
Students must demonstrate B2 level (or higher) in a number of ways. These include:
- a language certificate obtained in the three years prior to the date of enrolment. Valid certificates are listed here.
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/297/.
The certificate must be uploaded while completing the enrolment procedure or at a later time here:
http://studente.unimi.it/uploadCertificazioniLingue ;
- a high school degree awarded on completion of a course of studies with English as the primary teaching language. while completing the enrolment procedure here:
http://studente.unimi.it/uploadCertificazioniLingue ;
- a Placement Test administered by the University Language Centre (SLAM). This is available during year 1 from October to December 2024. Students who fail the test will be required to take a SLAM course. Students who do not sit and pass the Placement Test by December, or who fail to pass the SLAM end-of-course test within six attempts, can still progress to year 2 provided that, and as soon as, they obtain a valid certificate (see above)
It cannot be overemphasized that meeting the English OFA is a mandatory condition to sit any exams included in the programme.
Places available: 75 + 25 reserved for non-EU citizens
Call for applications
Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.
Session: 1
Application for admission: from 14/03/2024 to 02/05/2024
Application for matriculation: from 15/05/2024 to 31/05/2024
Attachments and documents
Syllabus for the admission test a.y. 2024-25
Session: 2
Application for admission: from 12/06/2024 to 15/07/2024
Application for matriculation: from 24/07/2024 to 09/08/2024
Attachments and documents
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Archaeology of Western Asia: Ancient Civilizations of Mesopotamia, the Levant and the Eastern Mediterranean | 12 | 80 | English | year | L-OR/05 |
Greek and Roman History | 12 | 80 | English | year | L-ANT/02 L-ANT/03 |
Intellectual History of the Ancient Near East: the Origin of Accounting Systems in Comparative Perspective | 6 | 40 | English | First semester | L-OR/01 |
Introduction to Pharaonic Egypt: Mind and Memory of an Ancient Civilization | 6 | 40 | English | First semester | L-OR/02 |
Public and Community Archaeology and Digital Cultural Heritage | 12 | 80 | English | year | L-ANT/10 |
The Bhagavad Gita: the Gospel of India | 6 | 40 | English | First semester | L-OR/17 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Archaeology of the Silk Road | 6 | 40 | English | Second semester | L-OR/16 |
Classical Mythology and Its Media | 6 | 40 | English | First semester | M-STO/06 |
Classical Wisdom in Arabic Garb | 6 | 40 | English | First semester | L-OR/12 |
Elements of Christian Culture | 6 | 40 | English | L-FIL-LET/06 | |
History of Classical Tradition in European Art | 6 | 40 | English | First semester | L-ART/04 |
History of Pre-Modern Science and Technology | 6 | 40 | English | M-STO/05 | |
Interculturality and Exchange in Medieval Latin Literature | 6 | 40 | English | First semester | L-FIL-LET/08 |
Introduction to Byzantine Civilization | 6 | 40 | English | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/07 |
Introduction to Chinese Thought | 6 | 40 | English | L-OR/21 | |
Introduction to Japanese Culture and Literature | 6 | 40 | English | L-OR/22 | |
Origins of Western Philosophy | 6 | 40 | English | First semester | M-FIL/06 |
Prehistory of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean | 6 | 40 | English | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/01 |
The Jews: History, Culture and Religion | 6 | 40 | English | Second semester | M-STO/06 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cultural Anthropology | 9 | 60 | English | Second semester | M-DEA/01 |
Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology in the Mediterranean World | 12 | 80 | English | year | L-ANT/07 |
Introduction to Greek Literature | 6 | 40 | English | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/02 |
Introduction to Latin Literature | 6 | 40 | English | First semester | L-FIL-LET/04 |
Teaching Workshop: Theories, Techniques, Tools for Cultural Communication | 3 | 20 | English | First semester |
Information is available at https://ancient-civilization.cdl.unimi.it
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Art and Law | 6 | 40 | English | IUS/01 | |
History of Chinese and Japanese Art | 12 | 80 | English | year | L-OR/20 |
History of Coins | 6 | 40 | English | Second semester | L-ANT/04 |
History of Indian Art | 6 | 40 | English | L-OR/16 | |
Introduction to Italian Literature | 6 | 40 | English | L-FIL-LET/10 | |
Final Exam | 6 | 0 | English |
- by submitting the language certificate achieved no more than three years prior to the submission, at level A2 or higher (for a list of recognized language certificates: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349/).
The language certificate must be uploaded here https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML
(by choosing the category SLAM);
- through a language test organized by SLAM, which can be taken at the beginning of every semester.
Students who fail to reach level A1 will have to attend a 60-hour Italian course organized by SLAM and to pass the final test during the I semester of the second year, in order to earn 3 ECTS credits of Additonal Language Skills: Italian.
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Italian | Open sessions |
students will first need to pass a Latin / Greek language test (Basic Level). Those who have no previous knowledge of Latin
and/ or Greek (e.g. from their school curriculum), are strongly encouraged to attend the workshop Training Latin Language
(Basic Level) which is taught in the first year of the programme and / or the workshop Training Greek Language (Basic
Level)which is taught in the second year (for details see https://ancient-civilization.cdl.unimi.it)
- Student registrar
Via S. Sofia 9/1 - 20122 Milano (MI) Italia
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/segreterie-informastudenti - Academic services
Via Noto 6 - 20141 Milano
[email protected] - Responsibles for Communication and Promotion of the BA Programme
Prof. Luca Peyronel (UNIMI), Prof. Diego Calaon (UNIVE)
[email protected]; prof. [email protected] - Contact person for disabilities and Special Educational Needs
Prof. Marco Boffi
[email protected]
The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:
- The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
- The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year)
- An additional fee is due for online programmes
The University also offers:
- Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
- Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
- Concessions for international students with refugee status
Scholarships and benefits
The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).
Learn more
Guidance:
Admission, ranking and enrolment