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Palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic Archaeology MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Unearth the archaeological and biological aspects of human evolution on this one-year MSc, delivered by UCL’s Institute of Archaeology. Giving you integrated training in both fields, the entire scope of approaches to the study of human evolution is covered. There’s a wide range of optional modules to choose from – for a solid scientific grounding in the principles, content and practice of the areas that interest you most. It’s an ideal foundation for a PhD or roles in cultural resource management, museums, science media and education related areas.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
£8,000
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£33,000
£16,500
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This Masters degree studies human evolution from the seperation with chimpanzee and bonobo ancestors, by looking primarily at the direct  fossil and archaeological records of past humans. It is an interdisciplinary subject that will give you an understanding of biological adaptation and culture, and the ways in which they are intertwined.

Students will learn:

  • A broad range of research methods including statistical analyses
  • Principlesand practice of palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic archaeology.
  • Fluency with thefossil and archaeological evidence of human evolution.
  • Processes of evolutionary adaptation and environmental change.

Who this course is for

The programme provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in the fields of palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic archaeology, and is therefore suitable for students wishing to undertake doctoral research in these fields. It will also appeal to graduates with strong interests in the origins and emergence of human societies.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme is co-taught by the UCL Institute of Archaeology and UCL Anthropology. Both departments are experts in the fields of palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic archaeology.

This programme offers you many benefits and opportunities:

  • Learn from leading experts in their fields. Archaeology is ranked 3rd and Anthropology 4th in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
  • Staff and research students work on field projects and museum-based studies worldwide.
  • Use of the Institute’s exceptional laboratories, equipment, archives, and collections.
  • Access to palaeontological and archaeological collections at British Museum and Natural History Museum.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Upon completing this degree, you will have skills well suited for jobs in sectors such as: 

  • Archaeological and Palaeoanthropological research and teaching.
  • Specialist archaeological services within the developer-funded / cultural research management sectors.
  • Museum curation and interpretation. 
  • Environmental and sustainability.
  • Journalism and publishing.
  • Civil Service.
  • Tourism and heritage management.
  • Information technology.

“My time at the Institute of Archaeology was invaluable. Being global in focus and nature truly refined my thinking and prepared me well to overcome the challenges that I encountered as part of my professional career.” - Laurence Maidment- Blundell (PhD Student)

Employability

The programme is designed to enhance career prospects by giving students transferable skills attractive to employers in a wide range of businesses and sectors, such as:

  • Theoretical and critical analysis.
  • Detailed reports to publication standard.
  • Ability to design and carry out original research.
  • Practical archaeological skills.

You will also learn to overcome problems and to build positive working relationships. 

Networking

The institute organises an annual "Careers in Ruins" event. Here students can get career advice from professionals in the Heritage and Archaeology sectors. They can also network with professionals from other sectors such as Business, Law and the Civil Service. Many of our alumni also return as guest lecturers on core modules and seminars.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, discussions, seminars, laboratory practicals and student presentations.

Assessment is through essays, practical examination and seminar presentations, (depending on the options chosen), and the dissertation.

Contact time takes various forms:

  • Lectures.
  • Seminars.
  • Dissertation supervision.
  • Fieldtrips and museum visits
  • Assessment feedback sessions.

The credit value of the module indicates the total learning hours you will spend to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is often equated to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.

The contact hours per module are normally around 2-3 hours a week with additional self-directed study time. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Your dissertation module is 90 credits. The learning hours will mainly be spent researching and writing your final dissertation. You will also have regular contact with your supervisor(s). They will guide and support you throughout your work.

Modules

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits, of which the dissertation counts for 50% of the programme. The taught modules are provided in the first two terms and include a compulsory 30 credit module w a choice of four optional modules. During the second term, you will identify a dissertation topic and supervisor,  then during the third term you will begin work on your dissertation which continues over the summer. 

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The MSc is offered part-time over two calendar years.

Teaching takes place during terms one and two. Those who undertake part-time study will discuss with the degree co-ordinator their pathway through the degree. Typically students will take the compulsory core modules in the first year and select their optional modules in order to spread these out to year two. The dissertation is discussed in year 1 and completed at the end of year two. We endeavour to be flexible to the needs of part-time students in designing their pathway through the degree over two years.

Compulsory modules




Optional modules












Evolution of the Human Brain and Behaviour







Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic Archaeology.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Institute of Archaeology (morning)

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The UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest centres for archaeology, cultural heritage and museum studies in Britain. Join us for a Virtual Graduate Open Event to find out more about our wide range of Master’s programmes, how our programmes are taught, what it’s like to study at the Institute of Archaeology and have the opportunity to speak to a relevant degree co-ordinator. Please contact Lisa Daniel, Graduate Admissions Administrator (l.daniel@ucl.ac.uk) if you have any questions.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Institute of Archaeology (afternoon)

—

The UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest centres for archaeology, cultural heritage and museum studies in Britain. Join us for a Virtual Graduate Open Event to find out more about our wide range of Master’s programmes, how our programmes are taught, what it’s like to study at the Institute of Archaeology and have the opportunity to speak to a relevant degree co-ordinator. Please contact Lisa Daniel, Graduate Admissions Administrator (l.daniel@ucl.ac.uk) if you have any questions.

Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Social and Historical Sciences

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Join us at our Bloomsbury campus to discover where a postgraduate degree with UCL Social & Historical Sciences will take you. At this in-person event, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about our departments and our wide breadth of degree programmes. You'll have the chance to hear from academic staff and current students, and ask any questions you might have about the department, your chosen course and studying at a world-leading university.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £33,000 £16,500

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Transport to any fieldtrips outside of London will be arranged by the department. Students will need to make their own way to fieldtrips within London. A Day off-peak travelcard for zones 1-9 costs around £17.00, but most visits will be within zones 1-3. Any other related costs will be covered by the Department.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

UCL Institute of Archaeology International Masters Student Award. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor the scholarship will enable one Overseas fee paying student to undertake a year of study on an eligible taught Master's. It will provide support of up to £26,000 for the duration of their degree to cover fees. Further details can be found here. The deadline for applications is 1 March 2025.

Institute of Archaeology Master's Awards: The UCL Institute of Archaeology has one studentship of £10,000 available to support a graduate student who is an ordinarily resident in the UK or Ireland and eligible to pay home fee rate. The deadline for applications is 1st March 2025. For further information and to download an application see here.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Aziz Foundation Scholarships in Social and Historical Sciences

Value: Full tuition fees (equivalent to 1yr full-time) (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Institute of Archaeology International Masters Student Award

Deadline: 21 March 2025
Value: Up to £26,000 (1yr)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Institute of Archaeology Masters Award

Deadline: 21 March 2025
Value: £10,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic Archaeology at graduate level
  • why you want to study Palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic Archaeology at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging academic programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Applicants need a general archaeological, anthropological or natural science background to be eligible for direct entry on to this degree. Applicants without this may wish to contact us to ask if their qualifications are appropriate or consider our Graduate Diploma in the first instance. 

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Institute of Archaeology
Institute of Archaeology

l.daniel@ucl.ac.uk

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