Human Evolutionary Studies

Entry requirements

Admission is based on high achievement in a previous or current degree, typically first class, high 2:1 or an equivalent. Students will normally hold an undergraduate degree in anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, or closely related cognate fields within the humanities or sciences. Applications from students in other fields will need to show strong reasons for applying and relevant experience where possible.

Months of entry

October

Course content

The MPhil in Human Evolutionary Studies is a full-time interdisciplinary course, taken over a period of ten months, and involving teaching in evolutionary anthropology, human and hominin morphology, primate behaviour and evolution, archaeology and genetics. The lecturers are primarily involved in research and teaching within Biological Anthropology in the Department of Archaeology.

This taught MPhil is intended for applicants who are prepared for graduate work and wish to receive interdisciplinary training, but who do not have sufficient education in human evolutionary studies in their background to be considered for the research MPhil or doctoral work. This is a demanding course which enables students to obtain interdisciplinary training and specialist knowledge in an area of human evolutionary studies over a relatively short time frame. The course prepares students to undertake an advanced degree, subject to overall performance.

Learning Outcomes

The MPhil in Human Evolutionary Studies aims to:

• give students the chance to learn, at an advanced level, about the major topics in human evolution and related fields;
• provide students with the opportunity to review and discuss major research questions in human evolution;
• provide students with intellectual skills that will allow them to undertake independent research in human evolution;
• give students the appropriate intellectual and mentoring context for the development of an independent research project; and
• prepare students for research at a doctoral level and to equip students to be future leaders in Human Evolutionary Studies and allied fields around the world.