The MA program offered by the Department of Assyriology and Hebrew Studies at the Faculty of Humanities is a comprehensive two-year, full-time course spanning four semesters. Prospective students are required to possess a foundational understanding of the Akkadian and Sumerian languages, as well as proficiency in cuneiform writing. Familiarity with the history and archaeology of ancient Mesopotamia is also essential. The program culminates in the completion of an MA dissertation.
The department boasts a highly specialized faculty with expertise in various aspects of ancient Assyria, including its history and archaeology. Additionally, they excel in areas such as the economy and society of the Old-Babylonian period, and the study of the Sumerian language and literature.
This program is ideally suited for applicants seeking to deepen their knowledge in Assyriology and potentially pursue an academic career in the field. It equips students with the skills to conduct research in Assyriology and provides a solid foundation for pursuing a Ph.D. degree.
One of the key strengths of the program lies in the international experience of the faculty, many of whom have engaged in studies and research projects abroad. The department also collaborates on a joint excavation in Kurdistan with the Institute of Archaeology at ELTE. Graduates of this program have a strong track record of successfully pursuing Ph.D. studies at foreign universities.
Notably, the program is led by Prof. Zólyomi, a distinguished member of the renowned Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature project at the University of Oxford. He is internationally recognized as an expert in Sumerian grammar. Prof. Dezső, another leading figure in the program, is an authority in the military history of ancient Mesopotamia and has authored numerous monographs on the Assyrian army.