Human Bioarchaeology and Osteology MSc
School of Biosciences,
Faculty of Science
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Start date
September 2026 -
Duration
1 year -
Attendance
Full-time
Explore this course:
Apply now for 2026 entry and book to join us at our next postgraduate online open day on Wednesday 26 November 2025.
Course description
This course is designed to provide you with advanced research training in the scientific analysis of human skeletal remains within the context of archaeology, palaeoanthropology and forensic anthropology. It’s a great next step if you’re keen to build on your human anatomy and osteology knowledge from your undergraduate degree and prepare for an exciting career in the ever-evolving field of human bioarchaeology.
Practical work is a big part of the course. We’ll train you in a range of scientific analytical techniques and methods that are essential to answering key questions in bioarchaeology. You’ll cover radiography, histological and microscopic approaches, chemical and isotopic techniques, ancient DNA analysis, lipid analysis and proteomics.
Alongside this, you’ll develop a range of specialist skills that are needed in functional anatomy. We’ll teach you how to identify bones, how they function, how they vary based on sex and age, and how disease and injury can impact the human skeleton. You’ll also be trained to perform osteological analysis of human bones and learn how to analyse quantitative and qualitative anthropological data.
During your learning, you’ll have access to our extensive collection of archaeological specimens so you can hone your ability to identify, analyse and interpret human skeletal remains. You’ll get hands-on in our anatomy laboratory too, where you’ll have access to real human von Hagen plastinates and our full-size interactive digital Anatomage tables, allowing you to explore the human body layer by layer.
You’ll even have the chance to apply your new knowledge and skills during optional field trips and archaeological visits off-campus.
Your practical work will be complemented by lectures covering the development and theory behind bioarchaeology and osteology. Science communication training will form part of your learning, as you discover how to produce cutting-edge visuals and audio to communicate your research.
The biggest part of your course is your independent research project (dissertation). Here, you’ll spend three months researching an area of human bioarchaeology and osteology, ready for your future career. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the active archaeological research that’s being carried out in the school, whilst putting into practice the research methods you’ve mastered during your course.
Examples of past research titles include:
- How accurate is skeletal sex assessment? Using ancient DNA data to test the accuracy of methods used in archaeology and forensic anthropology
- To what extent can osteological evidence reveal tobacco use and its impact on respiratory health in the past
- Are physical three-dimensional models as effective as real human bones when teaching skeletal anatomy?
- How does urbanisation impact childhood health? A comparison of metabolic disease and growth delay between the medieval and industrial periods
- Does breastfeeding have life-long respiratory health implications? Using isotopic data to compare breastfeeding practices and the presence of lesions indicative of upper and lower respiratory infection.
The staff who teach this course bridge the gap between sciences and humanities, giving you the opportunity to learn about these two integrated approaches to this fascinating subject.
If you have a passion for human bioarchaeology, whether your background stems from arts, humanities, or science, we’ll help you to deepen your specialist knowledge, ready for an exciting career.
Gain extra experience
We’re home to the Julia Garnham Centre, an NHS badged genomics facility, partnered with the Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust.
As a postgraduate student in the School of Biosciences, you'll have the opportunity to volunteer in the centre alongside your studies. You can work with NHS scientists and academics, learn how to diagnose genetic disorders such as cancer or rare inherited disease and get involved with NHS genomic research projects.
Modules
In addition to those listed below, your modules could also include:
- Applied Biological and Forensic Anthropology - 15 credits
- Advanced Forensic Anthropology: pathology and trauma - 15 credits
- Advanced Functional Anatomy - 15 credits
- Topics in Human Evolution - 15 credits
- Human Skeletal Anatomy - 15 credits
- Science Communication Skills - 15 credits
- Dissertation (Journal Paper Style)
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This module requires students to plan, execute and write up an original research project. This dissertation project is chosen with, and approved by, the designated supervisor, who may or may not be the programme director. Dissertation topics must be based on original research and on the students' own ideas: they must be worthwhile, affordable, manageable within time limits, be capable of supervision within the Department and related to the subject matter on the appropriate Masters. Students who choose this particular type of dissertation will place particular emphasis on synthetic writing and an ability to familiarise themselves with journal publication submission and style. With the exception of the word count the students will follow the editorial guidelines of the Journal of Archaeological Science.
60 credits - Advanced Scientific Skills
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This module builds on existing, and further develops, generic scientific skills to equip postgraduate taught students with strong competences in presenting and reporting their research work using written and oral formats, in analysing data and the scientific literature, and in acquiring and extending their critical analysis skills. Teaching will be delivered using a blended approach with a combination of lectures, workshops, tutorials and seminars together with independent study and on-line teaching.
15 credits
Taught throughout the academic year, the module will be articulated around three units addressing:
Unit 1) Scientific presentation skills. In this unit, students will explore how to develop their academic (writing and oral) presentation skills. Some of the topics taught may include how to formulate a research question and hypothesis, how to find information, and how to structure a scientific essay or report. Students will learn how to communicate effectively their research to a scientific, as well as lay, audience. Emphasis will be placed on short oral communications and poster preparation and presentation. The learning objectives will be acquired through lectures, workshops, tutorials and independent study.
Unit 2) Critical analysis skills. This unit prepares students to develop their ability to analyse and appraise the scientific value of the published and unpublished literature. Workshops and lectures will introduce students to the process of critical appraisal of scientific work.
Unit 3) Statistics and data analysis skills. In this unit, students will learn methods to gather and analyse large datasets. In particular, workshops and lectures will teach students the basics of R coding and statistics for application in biosciences. The unit may also deliver other forms of data analysis relevant to the programme of study. Teaching within this unit will be delivered mainly through on-line material, lectures and workshops. Independent study will be essential to complete the acquisition of skills. - Applied Bioarchaeological Science
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This course acquaints the student with a number of scientific analytical techniques and methods which are pertinent to the interpretation of key questions in bioarchaeology. These include histology and microscopic, chemical and isotopic techniques, ancient DNA analysis, lipid analysis and proteomics. It provides a theoretical introduction as well as some practical experience in sample preparation methodologies, data collection and analysis. The potential and limitations of methods are discussed through specific case studies.
15 credits
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Open days
Interested in postgraduate taught study? Join us at our next postgraduate online open day on Wednesday 26 November 2025 to find out what makes studying at Sheffield special.
Book your place on our next postgraduate online open day
You can also register your interest to find out more about studying here and future events.
Duration
1 year full-time
Teaching
You’ll be taught through lectures, practical laboratory classes and seminars.
Your research project (dissertation) will allow you to work alongside an academic member of staff, conducting independent, novel research.
Assessment
Your assessment includes, but isn’t limited to, essays, practical laboratory work, exams, project reports and a dissertation.
Your career
With practical experience conducting analysis of skeletal remains, coupled with the theoretical training you’ll receive on this course, you’ll be well equipped to pursue a range of careers in academia, commercial archaeology, heritage management and museums.
Our previous graduates are now working in roles including:
- Forensic Analytical Services laboratory officer, Derbyshire Constabulary (Police)
- research archaeologist, George Washington Foundation (USA)
- field archaeologist, Hellenic Ministry of Culture
- mortuary support officer, Medico Legal Centre
- autopsy coordinator, Stony Brook Medicine
- biological defence analyst, NATO
If you’re thinking about continuing your research training, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue a PhD in a range of areas. These could be as diverse as health and disease in past populations, hominin evolution, human skeletal growth, variation and adaptation, and the development of new methods for studying human bone and teeth.
School
School of Biosciences
The School of Biosciences brings together more than 100 years of teaching and research expertise across the breadth of biology. It’s home to over 120 academics who are actively involved in research at the cutting edge of their field, sharing their knowledge with nearly 2,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Our expertise spans the breadth and depth of bioscience, including molecular and cell biology, genetics, development, human physiology and pharmacology through to evolution, ecology, biodiversity conservation, and sustainability. This makes us one of the broadest and largest groupings of the discipline and allows us to train the next generation of biologists in the latest research techniques and discoveries.
The school is based at the heart of the University campus, across the interlinked Firth Court, Alfred Denny, Florey, Perak and Addison buildings, which house lecture theatres, teaching labs and research facilities.
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.
Subject requirements
We accept degrees in the following subject areas:
- Archaeology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biomedical Science
- Forensic Science
- Genetics
- Geography
- Geology
- Human Sciences
- Medicine
- Zoology
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent
Other requirements
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school.
Fees and funding
Fees
Apply
You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.