Avery Collins
Bioarchaeological Science, MSc
Introduction
Bioarchaeological Science is at the forefront of the scientific study of the human past. This programme incorporates the study of human osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology along with the advanced study of human remains through genetic and isotopic analysis. You will learn the latest scientific techniques for the extraction, analysis and presentation of DNA, protein, stable isotope and lipid data.
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
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
Through a series of lectures, seminars and practical workshops, you will learn how biomolecular evidence is preserved and later extracted and analysed by bioarchaeologists, and how this data is used to further enhance the information available to archaeologists, evolutionary biologists and palaeoecologists.
This programme also draws on the Department’s expertise in human osteology to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to identify and interpret human remains from archaeological deposits. In addition, you will learn how the study of ancient genes and genomes through the use of techniques such as next-generation sequencing and population genetics is transforming our understanding of the human past, human evolution and the bio-history of other species.
You will also learn the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed in order to identify and interpret palaeopathological changes observed in archaeological human remains and to understand what these changes can tell us about ancient diseases. Students will have the opportunity to develop an original bioarchaeological science research project with our osteoarchaeological, aDNA and isotope specialists in our dedicated laboratories.
This programme covers the knowledge and skills pertinent to the study of ancient remains and is aimed at students interested in pursuing biomolecular archaeology professionally. The skills taught on this programme, however, have multiple applications beyond archaeology, and so this programme is also suitable for students with a background in other disciplines including anthropology, earth sciences, genetics, history, and zoology.
What You'll Study
Courses
Compulsory Courses
Optional Courses
In addition, students will take further 30 credit points from the following courses:
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | £22,000 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| Self-funded international students commencing eligible postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £8,000 tuition waiver - See full terms and conditions | |
| UK | £10,000 |
| Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year | |
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Field Trips
- Field Work
- Group Projects
- Lab Work
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Why Study Bioarchaeological Science?
- Bioarchaeological Science is at the forefront of the scientific study of the human past. Focused on the physical remains of past peoples, bioarchaeological science incorporates human osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology coupled with the advanced study of human remains through genetic and isotopic analysis. Ultimately, it combines approaches rooted in biology, geochemistry and anatomy, with archaeological enquiry, theory and practice.
- The principal aim of the MSc in Bioarchaeological Science is to equip students with a range of backgrounds with the theoretical and practical skills required to study human remains at different levels and to gain a greater appreciation of the archaeological contexts in which the advanced bioarchaeological scientific approaches can play a key role.
- Through lectures, seminars, workshops and practical sessions this one year taught postgraduate programme integrates the latest methodologies employed by biomolecular scientists with broader archaeological and osteoarchaeological approaches.
- Students will choose from a range of modules, tailoring a course to suit their interests, including osteoarchaeology, biomolecular archaeology and advanced archaeology. Students will be offered training in human osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology by leading specialists, and learn how ancient biomolecules are preserved, extracted and analysed from ancient tissues. Students will have the opportunity to develop an original bioarchaeological science research project with our osteoarchaeological, aDNA and isotope specialists in our dedicated laboratories.
- The core modules in semester 1 and 2 provide an opportunity for students to attain both basic and specialist skills in a broad range of laboratory and analytical techniques including DNA, protein and lipid extraction methods from different source materials (modern as well as archaeological), analysis, interpretation and presentation (in written and oral format) of ancient DNA, stable isotope, protein, and lipid data.
- In addition, you will gain a critical awareness of issues inherent to biomolecular data and learn how to critically and systematically evaluate such data in published literature.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
2:1 (upper second class) 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, Earth Sciences, Genetics, History, or Zoology or a related discipline.
or
2:2 in Archaeology or a related discipline, with relevant professional experience.
Please enter your country or territory to view relevant entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
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
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- CV
- an up-to-date CV/Resumé
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipCareers
Bioarchaeology is a rapidly developing field of study. Graduates of this programme will be well placed to pursue careers working as professional archaeologists, either for archaeology companies or for universities, museums, local authorities or other heritage sector organisations. The knowledge and skills taught on this programmes are highly transferable and have multiple applications beyond archaeology, for example in medical sciences.
- Biomolecular Archaeology (research)
- Archaeology (research)
- Osteoarchaeology (research)
- Commercial archaeology
- Commercial laboratory applications
- Research assistance
What our Alumni Say
Our Experts
- Programme Leader
- Dr Linus Girdland, The University of Aberdeen
- Head of Department
- Professor Kate Britton
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX