Course options
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Qualification
MSc - Master of Science
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Location
Main Campus
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Study mode
Full time
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Start date
14-SEP-26
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Duration
1 Year
Course summary
Human skeletal remains are the most direct evidence of past lifeways and their scientific investigation gives unique insights into human history. Bioarchaeology, also known as osteoarchaeology (the study of archaeological human remains), is a subdiscipline of biological anthropology. It is an exciting interdisciplinary field that draws on a variety of techniques, ranging from visual examination of the whole skeleton to the biomolecular analysis of small bone samples. Demographic shifts, environmental changes, migrations, lifestyles, numerous diseases and the impact of violence and conflict all leave traces on the skeleton. This MSc provides the skills required to: identify human remains, through detailed analytical skills apply a wide-range of methods employed in the study of human remains, including analysis of skeletal pathology quantify and analyse scientific data understand skeletal biographies apply social theory interpret human remains within their cultural context at both an individual and a population level Combining theoretical learning with hands-on practice, we will provide you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential to your handling and analysis of remains recovered from archaeological sites. Focal areas of research of staff involved in the MSc Human Osteoarchaeology programme include: Bioarchaeology/ Human Osteoarchaeology/ Palaeopathology/ Biological Anthropology Interpersonal violence and conflict Experimental bioarchaeology Professional standards, ethics and legislation in human osteoarchaeology Historical bioarchaeology Bioarchaeology of children and childhood Palaeodietary reconstruction Archaeology of identity Human–environment interactions The transition from hunter-gatherer to farming communities The development of complex societies Social and health inequalities in the past Diet and health Cultural heritage perspectives on the past, present, and future Breadth of expertise within the Archaeology subject area: Bioarchaeology and isotope studies Egyptology Roman and ‘Celtic’ archaeology The Byzantine World and Late Antiquity Megalithic monuments Prehistory of Europe, the Mediterranean and North-East Africa Early civilisations and urban societies The archaeology of Scotland Cultural heritage and sustainability Digital heritage and heritage policy Archaeomaterials analysis Human evolution Conflict archaeology Medieval archaeology Computational archaeology Marine and coastal archaeology Buildings archaeology Archaeological survey-Landscape Archaeology
Application deadline
10/01/2025
Modules
Tuition fees
- United States
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- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
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- Ecuador
- Egypt
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- England
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Italy
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Korea DPR (North Korea)
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Northern Ireland
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestinian Authority
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Republic of Ireland
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Scotland
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- St Vincent
- St. Kitts & Nevis
- St. Lucia
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- UAE
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Wales
- Western Samoa
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
£ 31,600per year
Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.
University information
The University of Edinburgh
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University League Table
18th
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Campus address
Main Campus, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL, United Kingdom
Subject rankings
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Subject ranking
12th out of 25 1
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Entry standards
/ Max 205185 90%4th
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Graduate prospects
/ Max 10058.0 58%19th
1 -
Student satisfaction
/ Max 42.64 66%25th
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