Bournemouth University

What you'll study

This multidisciplinary degree covers archaeological field methods, human osteology, forensic analysis and anthropological theory. You will learn how to excavate and record archaeological sites, recover and analyse human and faunal remains, and apply techniques such as osteological assessment, taphonomy, isotope analysis, ancient DNA basics and forensic casework protocols. Practical laboratory skills are emphasised alongside contextual interpretation: stratigraphy and site recording, artefact analysis, conservation principles, and the social and cultural frameworks that shape human behaviour and mortuary practices.

Typical modules combine practical and theoretical components and are taken across the three-year honours programme. Examples of subjects you can expect include:

• Archaeological Fieldskills and Survey — excavation techniques, site recording and GIS mapping.
• Human Osteology — identification of skeletal elements, ageing, sex estimation and trauma analysis.
• Forensic Science Principles — crime-scene protocols, evidence handling and basic forensic chemistry and microscopy.
• Zooarchaeology and Taphonomy — analysis of animal bones and processes affecting remains.
• Bioarchaeology and Ancient Diet — stable isotope approaches and palaeopathology.
• Molecular Methods in Archaeology and Forensics — introduction to DNA approaches, contamination control and sample selection.
• Anthropological Theory and Ethics — interpretation of material culture, funerary practices and ethical issues in human remains research.
• Research Project (Dissertation) — an independent research project drawing together field, laboratory and theoretical skills.

Learning is delivered through a mixture of laboratory practicals, fieldwork exercises (including local excavation opportunities), seminars, workshops and independent research. Assessment methods typically include practical reports, portfolios, laboratory-based assessments, essays, presentations and a final-year project.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to have completed secondary education with qualifications equivalent to A-levels, BTEC or an international diploma. Typical offers will consider a combination of academic grades supported by a personal statement demonstrating interest in archaeological, anthropological or forensic sciences. Relevant subjects such as biology, chemistry, geography, archaeology or social sciences are advantageous but not always essential.

Successful applicants often have some practical experience, such as volunteering on excavations, laboratory work, museum placements or relevant work experience. Applicants for whom English is not a first language will need to meet the University's English language requirements. The programme may also require Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks or similar vetting for placements that involve work with human remains or forensic contexts.

Career prospects

Graduates from this degree move into a wide range of careers that apply scientific and interpretive skills to human past and present. Common destinations include roles in commercial archaeology and heritage management, museum curation and conservation, forensic laboratories and police support services, and academic or postgraduate research. Skills in human osteology, field methods, laboratory techniques and data interpretation are also valued in environmental consultancy, cultural resource management, and specialist conservation practices.

Many graduates choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level to specialise further — for example in forensic anthropology, osteoarchaeology, palaeogenomics, or conservation — or to gain professional accreditation. The combination of practical field experience and laboratory competence developed on the course is also well suited to roles in education, public engagement and heritage interpretation.

Why study at Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University offers a hands-on, professionally oriented approach with strong emphasis on practical skills. The programme benefits from accessible coastal and urban field sites nearby, opportunities for local and overseas fieldwork, and dedicated laboratory facilities for osteological and forensic analysis. Teaching blends applied training with theoretical perspectives, preparing students for both employment and further research.

Students have opportunities to take part in research projects, placements with heritage and forensic partners, and skills training in modern laboratory and digital techniques such as GIS and imaging. The university's focus on employability means the curriculum is designed to develop transferable skills — critical thinking, scientific reporting, teamwork and project management — that are sought by employers across archaeology, heritage and forensic sectors.