MSc Forensic Anthropology is designed to enable graduate students to develop skills in a variety of areas, which concern the processing, analysis and identification of human remains. The course provides intensive training in developmental anatomy and osteology, forensic anthropology methods and theory, forensic taphonomy in theory and practice, crime scene investigation and the law, research methods and expert witness and presentation skills. Students graduating from this course will be well placed to undertake further research at the doctoral level, take up jobs in forensic anthropology laboratories, or to participate in human remains excavations. The course comprises two semesters of coursework and one semester of an original research project. It is taught as a combination of lectures, practicals and self-directed study.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Specific entry requirements for this course are 2.1 degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience in the discipline.

We welcome applications from international students to our course.  Further information on how to apply if you are an overseas applicant is available from the International Office (follow the link to "Applying for a postgraduate course").  A general guide to the minimum levels of English language requirements for our courses is also available.

Course Content

MSc Forensic Anthropology is a one-year taught masters programme consisting of two semesters' coursework and one semester of an original research project. This course is the only forensic anthropology/osteology MSc in the UK to be based within a dedicated forensics department with state-of-the-art Crime Scene Investigation practical labs as well as excellent resources in Forensic Biology and Chemistry.  The MSc in Forensic Anthropology is designed to enable graduate students to develop skills in a variety of areas, which concern the processing, analysis, and identification of human remains. The course provides intensive training in developmental anatomy and osteology, forensic anthropology method and theory, forensic taphonomy in theory and practice, crime scene investigation and the law, research methods, and expert witness and presentation skills. The course has a focus on both domestic forensic anthropology work (eg UK and US) and forensic anthropology in the context of international humanitarian work and international criminal investigation.

Students graduating from this course will be well placed to undertake further research at the doctoral level, take up jobs in forensic labs, or to participate in human remains excavations.  Students will study the current issues and techniques involved in all aspects of human remains recovery and identification with an international focus. They will gain knowledge of modes of decomposition and death, and learn how to approach a body in any condition to learn the most from it. In addition, they will have the chance to develop a large number of transferable skills.

The course is structured into 3 parts :

Part 1 (14 weeks) :
Developmental Anatomy:  Covers human embryology and developmental anatomy through the adult form.
Forensic Anthropology:  Concerned with methods of identification in the forensic context, utilising a lab-based focus on the estimation of age, sex, stature, and race and the identification of trauma and pathology. Issues in both domestic and international contexts of forensic work will be addressed.
Research Methods:  Trains students in a wide range of skills, including technical documentation, project management, data analysis and retrieval, writing and research skills, and library use.

Part 2 (14 weeks) :
Forensic Taphonomy:  Covers the process and sequence of human decomposition, as well as the burial and surface dispersal of human remains.
Crime Scene Investigation and the Anthropologist:  Concerned with crime scene investigation and the supporting role of the forensic archaeologist and anthropologist at the crime scene and in the mortuary, and the legal framework governing domestic and international investigation procedure.
Expert Witness and Communication:  Communication skills providing background and training in expert witness delivery, and the study of British and International Law.

Part 3 (16 weeks) - Research Project :
Every student will undertake a research project, which will use and enhance many of the skills learnt on the course. The project will be based within the university, at a museum, or as an experimental field project. The end result of the research project should be a publishable quality paper. Following the conclusion of the work, the student will give a presentation of their findings.

More detailed information about the course is available from the School website.

Course at a Glance

Semester 1

Developmental Anatomy
Forensic Anthropology
Research Methods

Semester 2

Forensic Taphonomy
CSI and the Anthropologist
Expert Witness

Semester 3

Dissertation Research Project (triple module)

Assessment:

Assessment is based on a combination of coursework and examination and includes an MSc dissertation project.  Students are encouraged to present their research findings at international meetings.

Learning Environment:

We have a dedicated MSc Forensic Anthropology laboratory and radiography facilities with the full range of teaching casts as well as an extensive collection of experimentally induced projectile, blunt and sharp force trauma. We have an archaeological skeletal collection consisting of some 120 individuals from two sites, one late Medieval and one Victorian. UCLan’s TRACES facility for decomposition and taphonomic experimentation is located nearby and many students choose to conduct MSc dissertation research projects as part of the long term research agenda into estimating time since death.  Staff members teaching the course are also active in research and consultancy. UCLan has an MSc-level Exchange with two US universities with forensic anthropology MA programmes, namely California State University at Chico and Wichita State University, both of which have active forensic anthropology consulting services.

Careers:

A course module that will help you plan your career is available as a free choice module (called an elective), which you can study as part of your degree programme.

Fees and Finance

The standard fee for this course will be: £6,000 per year

For further information including the availability of bursaries/scholarships or student financial support please view our Fees and Finance pages.