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BSc (Hons) Bioarchaeology
BSc (Hons) Bioarchaeology

BSc (Hons) Bioarchaeology

  • ID:UY440009
  • Level:3-Year Bachelor's Degree
  • Duration:
  • Intake:

Fees (GBP)

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Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

  • A levels, ABB including a science subject (Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry or Geology)

  • Access to Higher Education Diploma, 30 credits at Distinction including science-related credits and 15 credits at Merit or higher.

  • BTEC National Extended Diploma, DDM including some science-related modules.

  • Cambridge Pre-U, D3, M2, M2 including at least one science subject

  • European Baccalaureate, 75% or higher including a science.

  • International Baccalaureate, 34 points including a science or mathematics at Higher Level

  • International foundation programme, Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.

English Requirements

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

  • IELTS (Academic and Indicator), 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component

  • C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component

  • Duolingo, 110 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each component

  • GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language), Grade C

  • LanguageCert International ESOL SELT, B2 Communicator High Pass with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component

  • PTE Academic, 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component

  • TOEFL, 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component

  • Trinity ISE III, Merit in all components

 

Course Information

Through isotopic analysis of remains from archaeological sites, we can discover what past diets were like, where people came from and whether they travelled long distances in their lifetimes. We can analyse the proteins in fragments of Viking-Age hair combs to find out which animal they were made from, or examine ancient DNA to better understand our human timeline. 

Our BSc Bioarchaeology is perfect for students studying a science subject who are interested in history and ancient populations. York is home to BioArCh, a collaborative research facility formed by the Archaeology, Biology and Chemistry Departments. The centre is internationally recognised, with a unique concentration of expertise in human palaeoecology and environmental archaeology.

Our department is renowned for being friendly and welcoming, meaning you'll get to know your lecturers, and they'll get to know you. You'll have endless opportunities to get involved, from joining the Archaeology Society to working abroad on a research project. We're based in the King's Manor in the city centre, a beautiful and truly unique Medieval building, with additional state-of-the-art facilities on the main campus. 

York is the UK’s archaeological capital, with historic buildings and significant remains from the Roman, Viking and Medieval periods. You'll find it a great place to call home.

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Year 1

Core modules

In your first year, your modules will cover:

  • Prehistory to the Present

  • Artefacts and Materials

  • Archaeological Theory

  • Introduction to Archaeological Science 

  • Field Archaeology

Year 2

Core modules

You'll choose whether you want to study Prehistory or Historical Archaeology:

  • Themes in Prehistory

  • Themes in Historical Archaeology

You'll also prepare for your dissertation with modules covering:

  • Communicating Archaeology

  • Researching Archaeology

  • Designing Research

Option modules

You will take a selection of option modules, examples of which may include:

World Archaeology I

  • Conflict

  • World Mummification

  • Alpine Landscape Archaeology

  • The Invention of World Heritage

  • The Late Prehistory of Egypt and the Fertile Crescent

Practical Skills

  • Artefact Analysis

  • Buildings History

  • Human Bones

  • Field Archaeology Survey

  • Archaeology and Heritage

  • Biomolecular Archaeology

Year 3

Dissertation

  • Dissertation and Assessed Lecture

The dissertation is an extended piece of writing, around 10,000 words, on a topic of your choice. You'll be assigned a supervisor who'll support you through the process. After writing your dissertation, you will present your work in the form of an assessed lecture.

Recent titles have included:

  • How has bioarchaeological, genetic and dietary evidence shaped and changed our view of Neanderthals?

  • Did the diet of the Jomon culture in Japan, as a result of climate change at around 11,000 years ago?

  • Were high status Romans were more exposed to lead (Pb) than low status Romans?

  • Identifying the consistency of the Viking leather finds from the Coppergate dig with the use of ZooMS

  • Examining Hippocrates, Galen and their medicine in Medieval London

Option modules

You will take a selection of option modules, examples of which may include:

World Archaeology II

These options may not be the same as in your second year.

  • Conflict

  • World Mummification

  • Alpine Landscape Archaeology

  • The Invention of World Heritage

  • The Late Prehistory of Egypt and the Fertile Crescent

Special Topic

These modules are linked directly to staff research interests, so you will be engaging with the most up-to-date research and debates in each subject.

  • Human Evolution

  • Historic Houses

  • Ancient DNA

  • Viking Age Scandinavia

  • Death and Burial in Later Prehistory

  • Mediterranean Civilizations

Assessed Seminars 

These are a unique opportunity to focus your studies on exactly what interests you, and you'll choose one to prepare in the Spring or Summer Term. You'll have some introductory lectures from a specialist in the area, then you'll spend some time designing and chairing your own seminar for your classmates.

  • Archaeology of British Christianity

  • Building Early Modernity 

  • Debates in Archaeological Science 

  • Mesolithic Europe

  • Neanderthals

  • Environmental Archaeology

  • Palaeodiet

  • Modern Landscape

  • Sustainable Heritage

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Pre Courses

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Pathway Courses

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Career Opportunity

Career Opportunity

  • Heritage organisations (eg English Heritage, National Trust, Yorkshire Museum)

  • Local councils

  • NHS

  • Police

  • Accountancy

  • Media

  • Marketing agencies

  • Law

Ability to settle

Overseas Student Health Cover

Insurance - Single: 300 (£) per year

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