Program Overview

Osteoarchaeology, MSc

Introduction

This programme uses the unique archaeological collections of the University of Aberdeen, combined with the latest osteoarchaeological approaches and techniques, to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills to analyse human skeletons from archaeological contexts.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MSc
• Duration: 12 months or 24 months
• Study Mode: Full Time or Part Time
• Start Month: September

The University of Aberdeen’s Museum Collections hold thousands of human skeletons from research and rescue excavations, including extensive archaeological human skeletal collections from Neolithic to Medieval and post-Medieval remains.

What You'll Study

Semester 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Human Osteology (AY5008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
• Optional Courses:
  • Theory and Method in Research (AY5002)
  • Ancient Biomolecules (AY5011)

Semester 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Ancient Health and Disease (AY5506)
• Optional Courses:
  • Advanced Archaeological Approaches (AY5504)
  • The Archaeology of Death (AY5512)

Semester 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Osteoarchaeology Dissertation (AY5905)

Fee Information

• EU / International students: £22,000
• UK: £10,000

Scholarships

All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship.

Entry Requirements

• Qualifications: 2:2 UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth in Archaeology, Anthropology or a related discipline.
• English Language Requirements:
  • IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
  • TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
  • PTE Academic: OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
  • Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Careers

An Archaeology degree can be the gateway to many other professions, and the training in analytical and communication skills acquired by our graduates make them employable in a wide variety of fields including industry, commerce and research.

Facilities

• King's Museum: King’s Museum lies at the heart of the University's Old Aberdeen campus. As well as being Scotland's newest museum, it may also be the oldest as its origins lie in a museum collection established in King's College in 1727.

Why Study Osteoarchaeology?

• Study at an internationally renowned university for Archaeology.
• Aberdeen is ranked 3rd in the UK for Anthropology and Archaeology (Guardian University Guide 2025) and in the Global Top 100 for Archaeology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
• Archaeological research at Aberdeen spans the arts and humanities, physical and biological sciences, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the Archaeology and the collaborative ethos within the University.