Overview
Course Details
The Archaeology Bioarchaeology MSc course offered by the University of Southampton 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. Previous placements have included Historic England, Wessex Archaeology and The Nautical Archaeology Society.
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.
This bioarchaeology master's offers a balance between vocational and research skills. During your dissertation you’ll be able to embed with one of our research groups to do original research on a topic that you choose. There is the possibility that this work will be published.
Southampton is close to the World Heritage sites of Stonehenge and Avebury and we have research projects engaged with both sites, as well as a range of other archaeological projects across the Globe.
Career Opportunities
Bioarchaeology at University of Southampton has close links and collaboration with Anatomy through the Centre for Learning Anatomical Sciences and with Historic England. It is a global leader in research with projects across the globe including Spain, Romania, Croatia, Sudan, Egypt, USA, Canada, Denmark, UK and students frequently participate in these. Staff are actively involved in the following journals and organisations: Bioarchaeology International, Paleopathology Association, British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology (BABAO), and American Journal of Physical Anthropology (AJPA)
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Archaeology Masters Dissertation
- Analysis of archaeological faunal remains
- Bioarchaeology of Human Remains
- Contexts for Human Origins Research
- Professional Practice
- Professional Placement in the Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Sector
- Ecology of human evolution: biological, social and cultural approaches to hominin adaptations.
- The Archaeology and Anthropology of Adornment
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 12 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- StartingApply anytime.
Language
Credits
Delivered
Disciplines
Archaeology Biology Museum Studies View 105 other Masters in Museum Studies in United KingdomAcademic requirements
English requirements
Other requirements
General requirements
- You’ll need the minimum of a 2:1 degree in archaeology, anthropology, geography, biology, history or a related subject.
Tuition Fee
-
International
21000 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 21000 GBP for the full programme during 12 months. -
National
9250 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 9250 GBP for the full programme during 12 months.
EU and international students pay £21,000.
Living costs for Southampton
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.