The University of Sheffield
Prospective Postgraduates

Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology - MSc

Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities

We draw on the humanities and the sciences to explore our relationship with the world.

About the course

1 year full time

This is one of the most successful courses of its kind anywhere. It has trained many of those who now practise the discipline. The course provides you with the tools to write human history from human remains. It is designed to prepare you for doctoral research in human osteology but it also appeals to practitioners who want to enhance their skills base.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 honours degree in archaeology or anthropology or with equivalent qualifications, for example in biological sciences, preferably with some experience of archaeological practice.

English language requirements for overseas students

IELTS 6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in each part), or TOEFL 87 (IBT), or equivalent.

Entry requirements for international students 

Apply now small

Core modules

  • Biological Anthropology
  • Funerary Archaeology
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Osteology
  • Quantitative Methods in Anthropology
  • Research Design in Anthropology
  • Dissertation in Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology

Optional module

Choose one from:

  • Biomolecular Archaeology
  • Death and Commemoration from Antiquity to the Modern World

Teaching

  • Seminars
  • Lectures
  • Projects

Assessment

Assessment is by coursework assignments and a dissertation.

Fees and funding

You may qualify for AHRC and University of Sheffield studentships. If you're considering applying for funding, we recommend you contact us as soon as possible.

Financial information for postgraduate taught courses

Part time study

All of our masters (with the exception of MSc Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology) can be taken full-time or part-time. If you choose to study part-time, you’ll take two 15 credit modules in each semester during Year 1 and Year 2, and undertake either a dissertation or placement module over the summer of Year 2.

We will arrange for part-time students to attend two days per week but we try to be as flexible as possible to meet your needs.

Any questions?

If you'd like to know more about any aspect of our courses, contact us:

Kathryn Goldsack
E: k.goldsack@sheffield.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)114 222 5104

Margaret James - MA European Historical Archaeology


Your future

This course is excellent preparation for a PhD and a research career.
Some of our courses have an optional vocational track, designed to prepare you for specific types of jobs. Many of our graduates use their expertise in universities, museums, archaeological consultancies, heritage parks and government.

Specialising in something you love doesn't mean narrowing your career options. Many of our students put their transferable skills to good use in law, banking, information technology, local government, teaching, the creative arts, the media and the charity sector.

World-leading expertise

You'll be joining a department that nurtures leaders, not followers. Our track record is excellent – in every national assessment since 1992 we’ve made the UK top ten for archaeology research. This strength in research feeds directly into our teaching, so as a masters student you learn from the best.

The foundations of great teaching

The research that underpins our teaching is organised into four areas: bioarchaeology and human evolution; landscapes and environments; material culture and technologies; and Old World archaeology.

There are several specialised research centres here: Sheffield Centre for Aegean Archaeology; Sheffield Centre for Archaeobotany and Ancient Land-Use; Sheffield Centre for Historical Archaeology; Zooarchaeology Laboratory. Their projects, conferences and seminars all add to the quality of your course.

Specialising in something you love doesn't mean narrowing your career options.

Specialist facilities

We make sure you have everything you need to explore your ideas. We have a complex of laboratories, imaging and GIS resources and storage facilities. There are labs for research and teaching in environmental archaeology, human and animal skeletal analysis, landscape and aerial archaeology, dendrochronology and materials sciences.

Global fieldwork

You'll also have the opportunity to get involved in our research projects in the UK, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa

Apply now

You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It is a quick and easy process.

Postgraduate Online Application Form