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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 (2026/27)
£16,800
£8,400
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£35,400
£17,700
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
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 course 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

The MSc Palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic Archaeology programme was developed, from the ground up, to provide students with the opportunity to develop a sophisticated, multi-disciplinary understanding of the deep human past. Whether students considered themselves as primarily palaeolithic archaeologists, paleoanthropologists or other scientific specialists, this course is designed to take them to the next level in their understanding, while also broadening their familiarity with wider, related disciplines.

In terms of scope, it covers subjects including primate evolution, the archaeological and anatomical records of early hominins through to those of later hominin populations, the dispersal of Homo sapiens across the globe and the apparent extinction of Homo neanderthalensis and other populations. In short, the totality of Pleistocene culture, technology, biology and palaeoenvironment is covered, from the molecular to the geological scale.

The programme starts from the principle that Palaeolithic archaeology and Palaeoanthropology are both part of a huge, exciting interdisciplinary endeavour and aims to develop postgrads ready to embrace that world with both broad understanding and deeper expertise.

Consequently, students will develop an understanding in areas including:

  • a broad range of research methods including statistical analyses
  • principles and practice of Palaeolithic archaeology and Palaeoanthropology
  • fluency with the fossil and archaeological evidence of human evolution
  • processes of evolutionary adaptation and environmental change
  • processes and record of past climates and environments.

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 and draws on UCL experts from Earth Sciences and the Centre for Evolutionary Genetics as well as the Natural History Museum and the British Museum outside the University. This means you will be taught by leading, research-active specialists from institutions at the forefront of human origins research. Moreover, the degree offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

  • studying at a leading department with Archaeology ranked 3rd and Anthropology 4th in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • staff work on palaeolithic and human origins field projects and museum-based studies worldwide
  • access to the Institute’s exceptional laboratories, equipment, archives, and collections
  • possibility of access to palaeontological and archaeological collections at British Museum and Natural History Museum
  • a core-module which will introduce subjects as diverse as ancient DNA, stone artefacts, hominin cognition, primate evolution, Ice Age environments and the history of palaeolithic studies
  • opportunity to build a tailor-made course of study by choosing optional modules from across the university
  • opportunity to develop a personal research project supervised by our academic and scientific experts
  • opportunity to attend lectures, seminars, conferences and exhibitions on human origins when they take place here in London
  • opportunity to study part-time over two years.
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 careers in sectors such as: 

  • Palaeolithic Archaeology and Palaeoanthropological research and teaching
  • specialist prehistoric and geoarchaeological expertise or consultancy services within the contract / 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 prepare you for a career in human origins research, palaeolithic archaeology and other associated disciplines. Additionally, students will receive the skills necessary for: 

  • developing a career in specialist archaeological fieldwork or science
  • undertaking a PhD in aligned subjects leading to an academic or research career
  • careers in museum curation, public engagement or science media

In addition, the programme can enhance wider career prospects by giving students transferable skills attractive to employers in a wide range of businesses and sectors, such as:

  • applying theoretical and critical analysis.
  • producing detailed reports to publication standard
  • designing and implementing projects
  • carrying out original research
  • producing media for public engagement
  • build positive working relationships. 

Networking

The Institute organises a series of careers events with invited panels to discuss career opportunities and experiences in Archaeology, Research, Heritage and Museums as well as applying skills in careers outside disciplinary specialisms. Here students can get career advice from professions in relevant sectors who are often pulled from our world-wide network of alumni. 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
  • practical sessions or site/museum visits
  • assessment feedback sessions.

The contact hours are normally 6-8 hours per week with additional self-directed study time. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, full-time students use their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments (approximately 20-25 hours).

The learning hours during the dissertation will mainly be spent researching and writing. You will also have regular contact with your supervisor(s). They will guide and support you throughout your work.

Modules

The programme includes modules to the value of 180 credits, of which the dissertation counts for 50% of the programme. The taught modules are provided in Terms 1 and 2 and include a compulsory 30 credit module with a choice of four optional modules. 

During Term 2, 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 1 and 2. Those who undertake part-time study will discuss with the degree coordinator their pathway through the degree. Typically students will take the compulsory core modules in Year 1 and select their optional modules in order to spread these out to Year 2. The dissertation is discussed in Year 1 and completed at the end of Year 2. 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.

Fieldwork

For those seeking fieldwork experience, our staff run fieldwork projects which may be suitable or will help students find opportunities outside the Institute of Archaeology. Optional field trips are also offered.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800 £8,400
Tuition fees (2026/27) £35,400 £17,700

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course 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 with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, 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 field trips 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.

For in-person teaching, 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 £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. 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 Master's 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. The deadline for applications is 2 March 2026. Further details can be found here.

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 2 March 2026. 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) (1 year)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Institute of Archaeology International Masters Student Award

Deadline: 21 March 2025
Value: Up to £26,000 (1 year)
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 course 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 courses (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: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Institute of Archaeology
Institute of Archaeology

l.daniel@ucl.ac.uk

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