Archaeology Bioarchaeology (MSc)

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

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need an overall score of 6.5 and the following scores for reading, writing, listening and speaking:

We accept other English language tests, find out which English language tests we accept.

Recognition of professional experience

If you’ve been away from formal study for some time we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.

Your studies will run for a full year, from September to the following September.

If you’d like to take longer to complete this master’s you can study part-time over 2 to 5 years.

If you decide that you’d like to change to a different archaeology specialism within the first 2 weeks of term you’ll be able to change your degree.

Throughout your studies we’ll encourage you to engage with the wider research community through attending and presenting at seminars, workshops or conferences. In the summer you’ll focus on your personal research project, which you’ll complete with guidance from a personal supervisor.

What you'll study

This degree gives you ultimate flexibility; you can choose modules from the full range of available archaeology modules. You can also:

• include up to 30 credits from final-year undergraduate archaeology modules
• gain credit through practical placements with other organisations such as museums and heritage sites
• choose to study a module from another University department, subject to the approval of the course leader

Each module requires at least 150 hours of study time. As a full-time student you’re likely to be on campus up to 4 days a week.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

This course involves a lot of practical lab work as well as seminars and lectures. Learning highlights include:

• summative bone fragment testing
• skeletal identification and methodology
• writing publication standard zooarchaeological reports
• using zooarchaeological data
• osteological analysis of human skeletons

Assessment

You'll be assessed through:

• essays and portfolios
• group presentations
• written exams and reports
• digital projects
• mapping packages
• field, laboratory, and practical tests

Dissertation

Your dissertation is a personal research project which has a 20,000-word limit and takes about 600 hours to complete. You must take the dissertation module to complete this course unless otherwise agreed with the course coordinator.

Your learning and assessment will depend on the modules you take. Explore course modules for full details.

Academic Support

Your contact hours will vary depending on your module/option choices. Full information about contact hours is provided in individual module profiles.

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

Your research project could set you on the road to an academic or research career, and could end up being published in an academic journal. Many of our graduates go on to complete PhD studies.

You’ll gain lots of practical, vocational experience on the course. Most students go on to work in archaeology, the heritage industry and science. Job roles have included:

• bioarchaeologist
• archaeologist
• maritime archaeologist
• project officer
• trainee geophysicist
• community outreach
• coastal process scientist
• civil servant
• teacher
• forensic scientist

Our graduates have gone on to work for:

• Wessex Archaeology
• Historic Scotland
• Heritage Lottery Fund
• Geophysical Surveys of Bradford
• Channel Coastal Observatory
• Portsmouth City Council
• Maritime Archaeology Trust
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Your experience here will set you up with many transferable skills that will be valuable whatever career path you choose. You’ll gain experience of team working, presentation skills, networking and data analysis.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK/EU students pay £9,250.
• International students pay £18,811.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Your fees also cover:

• the majority of the cost of fieldwork trips
• up to £350 transport costs for placements

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK and EU nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

You are eligible for this scholarship if you:

• are an international student who hasn’t taken a master's with us before

• are enrolling to start a master's in September 2020

• gained a 1st class honours degree at undergraduate level

If you meet these criteria you’ll be awarded an automatic £3,000 scholarship. This will mean a £3,000 reduction in your tuition fees. We’ll confirm your scholarship in your offer letter.

Unfortunately this offer isn’t open to UK / EU students.

Full terms and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries  may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

You can apply directly through our online form by using the apply button on this page.

Application deadlines

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You may also be asked to provide:

• a degree transcript
• evidence of professional qualifications

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• academic achievements
• relevant professional experience
• personal statement
• academic references

We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000