Archaeology - Human Osteoarchaeology
Our MA programme in Archaeology - Human Osteoarchaeology is designed to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of and practical training in human osteoarchaeology: the analysis of human skeletal remains from archaeological contexts.
| Award Name | Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
1 year full-time.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in archaeology and/or anthropology.
Under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), applicants below this minimum grade may also apply if they can demonstrate substantial professional experience in archaeology or anthropology.
Applicants who have a primary degree in an unrelated field and who have successfully completed the Higher Diploma in Arts in Archaeology, having achieved a Second Class Honours Grade 1, are also eligible to apply in order to be considered for admission to the MA.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
This course provides you with a thorough grounding in the practical and theoretical aspects of the study of archaeological human remains. Graduates from the course will be in a prime position to continue their education at PhD level or to seek employment with research, educational or commercial organisations. Since its first intake in 2004, the course has had an excellent completion rate and the majority of graduates have gone on to either work or study in archaeology.
Further information
Start Date 7 September 2026
Closing Date 2 March 2026
Non-EU Closing Date 2 March 2026
Course Outline
Our MA programme in Archaeology - Human Osteoarchaeology is designed to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of and practical training in human osteoarchaeology: the analysis of human skeletal remains from archaeological contexts. We focus on the explanation of theoretical approaches and methods that can be used to address archaeological research questions using human skeletal data.
Our teaching consists of both lectures and lab-based practical sessions and you will benefit from the fact that the Department of Archaeology has a long tradition of research and teaching in human osteoarchaeology where you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions with PhD students and staff, both in the classroom and outside. You will have an active role in shaping your own research project.
The taught MA in Human Osteoarchaeology is a one-year, full-time, vocationally-orientated course. This provides both a basis for application in the workplace and an opportunity for you to continue into PhD research.
For the first part of the year, you will be required to attend lectures, seminars, laboratory practicals, and field trips for seven modules. You will also choose a 20-25,000-word dissertation topic in consultation with staff. In the second part of the year, you will work on this dissertation for presentation in September.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
There are opportunities to participate in mortuary excavations in Ireland. There are also limited opportunities for placement and study abroad. Previous placements have been in Peru (dissertation fieldwork) and Britain (museum studies courses at Bournemouth University).
Modules
AR6001 Regional and Topographical Anatomy (10 Credits)
AR6009 Mortuary Theory (5 credits)
AR6011 Biocultural Approaches to Human Remains (5 credits)
AR6014 Osteoarchaeology Laboratory (10 credits)
AR6031 Palaeopathology (10 Credits)
ST2001 Introduction to Biostatistics (5 Credits)
AR6003 Dissertation (45 credits)
On completion of the course, you will be able to:
- critically evaluate differing theoretical approaches to the study of archaeological human remains;
- understand and apply different methodological approaches to bioarchaeology;
- understand the use of quantitative methods and their applicability to research questions in bioarchaeology;
- correctly identify a range of pathological conditions that can be macroscopically identified on the human skeleton;
- successfully complete an independent research project in bioarchaeology.
Dr Barra Ó Donnabhain
barraod@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 4163
http://www.ucc.ie/en/archaeology/