Forensic Osteology and Field Recovery Methods - MSc
University of KentCanterbury, United Kingdom
Course overview
Forensic osteology is the scientific study of human bones, used to identify individuals, determine cause of death, and shed light on the past. During this one year course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to identify, excavate and analyse human skeletal remains. With access to over 1,000 human skeletons in our Human Osteology Lab, you will learn to find evidence of trauma, disease and cause of death.
You will use histological sectioning of human tissue, dental pathology and high-resolution microscopy to aid skeletal identification. You will develop advanced fieldwork skills in our outdoor taphonomy facility where you will excavate and recover skeletal remains and can examine the decomposition of organic material. In our Crime Scene Facility you will learn how to preserve evidence, recover remains, and present expert evidential reports to the highest standard.
The theoretical knowledge and practical experience gained on this course will give you the competitive advantage for a career in the police force, archaeology or further academic research. This course can also be taken part-time over two years.
Key highlights
- Access to over 1,000 human skeletons in a Human Osteology Lab
- Identify evidence of trauma, disease and cause of death
- Histological sectioning, dental pathology and high-resolution microscopy for identification
- Excavate and recover remains at an outdoor taphonomy facility
- Crime Scene Facility training in evidence preservation and recovery
- Learn to present expert evidential reports to a high standard
Entry requirements
- Degree: 2:2 — to include acceptable subject; or above
- Degree: 2nd class — to include biological anthropology or other associated fields; or above
Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships
Christine and Ian Bolt Scholarship
Scholarship value up to £10,000.
Kent Business School Beaconhouse PG Progression Scholarship
Tuition fee discount scholarship of £6,000.
Up to £6,000Kent Business School Dean's Excellence Scholarship Award
Awards of up to £3,000
Kent Business School MBA Scholarship
50% off Tuition Fee.
Up to 50% of feesKent Graduate Scholarship
20% fee reduction for post-graduate taught programmes at the University of Kent.
Up to 20% of feesKent International Scholarship Postgraduate Taught
Scholarship value - £5000
Up to £5,000Kent International Scholarship Postgraduate Taught (KBS)
Scholarship value £3000
Up to £3,000Kent LLM Solicitors’ Practice Scholarship (Canterbury)
£2,000 tuition fee discount (Home Students); £2,000 tuition fee discount (Overseas Students).
Up to £2,000Sasha Roberts Scholarship
£3,000 stipend per annum split into two payments of £1,500 in October and January.
Up to £3,000The “Ambition” Scholarship for University of Kent Graduates
£1,500 for Full Time UK students; £750 per year for Part Time UK students; £3,000 for Full Time Overseas students.
The CAMEMS Scholarship
£3,000 stipend per annum split into two payments of £1,500 in October and January.
Up to £3,000The Widening Participation Ambition Scholarship for University of Kent Graduates
£5,000 for UK students (£2,500 per year for part time students).
Careers this course leads to
- Forensic osteologist
- Forensic anthropologist
- Police crime scene investigator
- Archaeologist
- Human osteoarchaeologist
- Academic researcher
Cost of study
UK/Home: £11,400 per year | International: £23,500 per year
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Kent, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
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