Human Bioarchaeology and Palaeopathology

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class (2:1) degree or equivalent; GPA of 3.3 or above.

Months of entry

October

Course content

Palaeopathology is the study of past disease in human remains; it is a sub-discipline of human bioarchaeology (the study of human remains from archaeological sites). This lecture, seminar and laboratory-based MSc equips you with the theoretical and practical skills and knowledge to study and interpret data collected from human remains. The emphasis is on health and well-being using a multidisciplinary approach, linking biological evidence for disease with cultural data (the biocultural approach). This is a very hands-on, practical course, and students will gain experience with human skeletal remains from a variety of time periods.

This course is unique in the world and it takes a holistic view of disease, as seen in a clinical context today, and will prepare you for undertaking significant research projects in this subject, or working in contract/commercial archaeology, and many other fields. It is aimed at graduates mainly in archaeology and anthropology with or without past experience or knowledge in this field, and for those who aspire to continue on to PhD or work in contract archaeology. However, past students have come from a variety of subject backgrounds, and destination data illustrates a wide range of employers take these students.

Two taught modules in the Michaelmas term (Research and Study Skills in Archaeological Science and Identification and Analysis of the Normal Human Skeleton), and two taught modules in Epiphany term (Palaeopathology: Theory and Method; Themes in Palaeopathology), with the double module dissertation over Easter term and the summer (submitted early September). These are all core modules and involve lots of hands-on practical work.

To view our short film on Archaeology at Durham click here

Information for international students

All self-financing overseas students are required to pay a £1000 tuition fee deposit if an offer from the Department of Archaeology is accepted. The tuition fee deposit is paid before the University issues a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) number, which is required in order to apply for a visa.

Fees and funding

https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/pg/finance/

£500 deposit is also payable by Home/EU applicants if an offer of a place from the Department of Archaeology is accepted.