Archaeology Bioarchaeology (MSc)

About this course

Learn how to uncover the secrets of past lives through the study of human and animal skeletons. With this specialist master’s in bioarchaeology, you’ll gain expertise in human anatomy, with unlimited access to our large skeletal collection. You’ll also develop skills in faunal analysis; we have one of the largest reference collections of mammals, birds and fish in the UK.

We’re ranked Top 30 in the world for archaeology (QS World University Rankings, 2019).

Your specialist bioarcheology learning will cover:

• analysing human bones to understand age, sex, diet, health and migration
• identifying mammals, birds and fish through skeletal remains
• understanding fossilisation and bone modification
• interpreting archaeology from collections of remains

Beyond your specialist modules you can personalise this MSc bioarchaeology degree to your areas of interest through a range of optional modules.

This archaeological science master's is a very practical degree, but you don’t need prior knowledge of biology or anatomy. You’ll spend a lot of time in our dedicated archaeology laboratories and you’ll have access to specialist isotope labs and a scanning, imaging and micro-CT suite.

You’ll work closely with experts in our Centre for Learning Anatomical Sciences and benefit from opportunities to apply your learning in real-world settings.

There's an opportunity to apply your learning on a 4-week placement, where you’ll gain valuable real-world experience of the archaeology sector and heritage industry.

We bring expertise together from across the University, including Medicine, Humanities, the National Oceanography Centre, Engineering and Winchester School of Art, to enable you to gain both scientific skills and cultural understanding.

Assessment methods (Outcome qualification level)

On this course you'll learn through a range of activities that may include summative bone fragment testing, skeletal identification and methodology, writing publication standard zooarchaeological reports, using zooarchaeological data, osteological analysis of human skeletons.

You'll be able to demonstrate what you have learnt through a variety of assessment methods, such as essays and portfolios, group presentations, written exams and reports, digital projects, mapping packages, field, laboratory, and practical tests.

You ll be supported by a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor. Your contact hours will vary depending on your module choices.

On this course you'll learn through a range of activities that may include summative bone fragment testing, skeletal identification and methodology, writing publication standard zooarchaeological reports, using zooarchaeological data, osteological analysis of human skeletons.

You'll be able to demonstrate what you have learnt through a variety of assessment methods, such as essays and portfolios, group presentations, written exams and reports, digital projects, mapping packages, field, laboratory, and practical tests.

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor. Your contact hours will vary depending on your module choices.

Careers

90% of our archaeology master’s graduates are in employment or further study 6 months after graduation (Destination of Leavers from Higher

Students will need the minimum of a 2:1 degree in archaeology, anthropology, geography, biology, history or a related subject.