# MAFunerary Archaeology
**Source**: https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/courses/ma-funerary-archaeology/
**Parent**: https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/all?mode=taught
# MA Funerary Archaeology
Bring past people to life
Year of entry: 2026 (September)
1. [Overview](#overview)
2. [Course content](#course-content)
3. [Fees and funding](#fees)
4. [Teaching and assessment](#teaching-assessment)
5. [Careers](#careers)
6. [Entry requirements](#entry)
Start date
September 2026\
[View semester dates](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/semester-dates/)
Length
1 year full-time,\
2 years part-time,\
School/department
[Department of Archaeology](https://www.york.ac.uk/archaeology/)
[Apply for this course](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/apply?course=DPMARCSFUN1)
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### 5th in the UK for archaeology
QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025
### 25th in the world for archaeology
QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025
Past societies responded to and treated their dead in a range of diverse ways, providing archaeologists with crucial insights into their workings.
Funerary archaeology combines analysis of human remains with their archaeological context to take a truly interdisciplinary approach to studying both life and death in the past.
Our course will enable you to use the latest techniques and equipment to build key, practical knowledge and explore the varied archaeological and methodological approaches to funerary archaeology. You'll have the chance to develop your skills in a range of different methods and techniques, but all centred on learning how to investigate death and burial in the past.
The flexible nature of the course enables you to pursue your own particular period or methodological interests by selecting modules that appeal to your research interests. You'll work alongside internationally renowned specialists and gain 'hands on' experience of the analysis of human remains. You'll get the chance to learn through field trips to local museums and relevant sites, such as York cemetery.
This interdisciplinary course is also available as an [MSc Funerary Archaeology](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/courses/msc-funerary-archaeology/).
<https://youtu.be/vN02-sg10bQ>
Study with us
Beautiful surroundings
York is the UK's archaeological capital and we use it extensively as our ‘living lab’ for both teaching and research.
[Vibrant facilities](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/arts-humanities/facilities/)
As well as your department's facilities you'll have access to the Grade II listed Heslington Hall, a hub with space for events and collaboration.
[Research excellence](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/performance/ref-2021-results/)
Ranked 6th overall for our research according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
## Course content
You will study 180 credits over the duration of your course:
- **Semester 1** - two cores and one option module
- **Semester 2** - two options with an 80 credit dissertation
- **Summer Semester** - 80 credit dissertation continued
- [Modules](#modules)
- [Dissertation](#dissertation)
### Modules
#### Core modules
- [**Debates in Funerary Archaeology**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00077M/latest)
- [**The Archaeology of the Human Skeleton**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00033M/latest)
#### Option modules
You will choose three option modules from examples including:
- [**Digital Creativity**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00133M/latest)
- [**Prehistoric Art: Origins and Transitions**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00126M/latest)
- [**Thinking through Material Culture**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00130M/latest)
- Any period specific module
You'll also have the opportunity to choose options from our full module catalogue:
- [**Ancient Biomolecules**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00034M/latest)
- [**Animal bones for Archaeologists**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00031M/latest)
- [**Archaeologies of Colonialism in the British Atlantic World**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00023M/latest)
- [**Artefacts and Materials Analysis**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00113M/latest)
- [**Becoming Human**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00018M/latest)
- [**Building Conservation Projects**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00129M/latest)
- [**Buildings Recording**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00128M/latest)
- [**Contemporary Issues in Museums**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00134M/latest)
- [**Critical Approaches to Archaeological Practice**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00131M/latest)
- [**Data Science for Archaeology**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00123M/latest)
- [**Digital Approaches to Archaeology**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00132M/latest)
- [**Experimental Archaeology**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00087M/latest)
- [**GIS and Spatial Analysis**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00127M/latest)
- [**Heritage Principles and Concepts**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00012M/latest)
- [**Histories of Conservation**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00014M/latest)
- [**Landscape Survey and Geophysics**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00119M/latest)
- [**Life and Death in Iron Age Britain and Ireland**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00100M/latest)
- [**Making the Nation**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00022M/latest)
- [**Medieval Settlement and Communities**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00028M/latest)
- [**Mesolithic Life and Death**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00030M/latest)
- [**Museums, Audiences & Interpretation**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00013M/latest)
- [**Presenting Historic Houses**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00069M/latest)
- [**Professional Practice: Zooarchaeology or Human Osteology**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00120M/latest)
- [**Project Management**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00124M/latest)
- [**Researching & Analysing Historic Buildings**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00010M/latest)
- [**Roman Archaeology: Ancient pasts, current issues**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00136M/latest)
- [**Roman Europe**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00098M/latest)
- [**Skeletal Evidence for Health in the Past**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00118M/latest)
- [**Sustainable Buildings**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00137M/latest)
- [**Sustainable Conservation Challenges**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00015M/latest)
- **[Sustainability I](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00095M/latest)**
- **[Sustainability II](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00096M/latest)**
- [**The Ancient Celts: Archaeology and Identity in Iron Age Europe**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00099M/latest)
- [**The Archaeology of Roman Religion**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00138M/latest)
- [**The Viking Age: People, Places, Things**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00027M/latest)
- [**Understanding & Interpreting Historic Buildings**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00011M/latest)
- [**Virtual Reality and 3D Modelling**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00122M/latest)
- [**Zooarchaeology in Context**](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00117M/latest)
Some option modules combinations may not be possible. The option available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
### Dissertation
You'll complete a 15,000-word **[dissertation](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ARC00135M/latest)** on your research.
You will receive support, advice and guidance from your dissertation supervisor throughout your project. The range of expertise of our staff means we can provide you with guidance on a wide range of topics. You will have one-to-one meetings with supervisors across Semester 2 and the Summer Semester.
Examples of previous dissertations include:
- ‘Women are the decorative Sex’: gender and prehistoric burials
- Understanding Neolithic Childhood
- Pastoral Neolithic funerary practices in Lake Turkana basin, Northern Kenya
- Grief and Mourning in the Roman World
- Coffin-furniture in post-Medieval Manchester
- A spatial epidemiology of Cribra Orbitalia across medieval, south east England, to examine the prevalence of malaria
- Engaging the public in Funerary Archaeology in museum settings
### Learning outcomes
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
Learning outcomes for this course
- Demonstrate an applied, systematic, in-depth understanding of essential disciplinary knowledge of funerary archaeology, and awareness of its breadth and its relevant academic, professional and socio-economic contexts
- Engage critically with current debates and advanced scholarship in local and international research and practice within funerary archaeology in order to evaluate the field of practice
- Inform decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations by assessing and applying advanced, professional-level funerary archaeology theories and methodologies to diverse problems or forms of data
- Confidently synthesise research findings and key scholarly debates, and communicate (through a variety of forms and media) to peers, public or professional audiences in such a way that demonstrates an ability to consider and adapt to their respective needs
- Demonstrate originality in rigorous and imaginative independent inquiry, using advanced research skills, and a clear contribution to the work of a team
- Confidently apply current theoretical, ethical and methodological debates in funerary archaeology to relevant case studies and contemporary practice
- Apply an advanced understanding of human skeletal anatomy, growth and pathology, and explain its relevance to archaeology
- Assess and evaluate the role of relevant disciplinary and interdisciplinary specialisms in the analysis and interpretation of human remains and their funerary contexts as applied to research, public and/or commercial practice
## Fees and funding
### Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,500 | £27,250 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,250 | £13,625 |
| Part-time (3 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £4,167 | £9,083 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
**For courses which are longer than one year**, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
- UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%).
- International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
### Fees information
**UK (home) or international fees?** The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. [Check your fee status](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/fees/status/).
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- [Postgraduate taught fees and expenses](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/fees/)
### Additional costs
We don't anticipate there being any additional fees associated with this course. All books and resources you need will be available in the library or online and it isn't mandatory that you buy your own copies. You may wish to set aside a small budget for photocopying, depending on how you like to work.
Field trips are funded by the Department.
### Funding information
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2026/27 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a [10% Masters fee discount](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/funding/alumni-discount/).
#### Funding opportunities
- [UK government Masters loans](https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan)
- [Funding for UK students](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/funding/uk/)
- [Funding for international students](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/funding/international/)
#### Chevening Scholarships
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. [Chevening Scholarships](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/funding/international/chevening-scholarship/) provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
We have a variety of [funding options](https://www.york.ac.uk/archaeology/study/postgraduate-taught/funding/) available within the department.
### Living costs
You can use our [living costs guide](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/fees-funding/living-costs/) to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
## Teaching and assessment
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
### Teaching format
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops with an emphasis on student led-discussion. The core modules offer you the chance to gain hands-on practical skills, and go on a field trip.
### Teaching location
You will be based on Campus West and in King's Manor. The osteology teaching will take place in the PalaeoHub.
### About our campus
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's [easy to get around campus](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/transport-maps-parking/) - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
### Assessment and feedback
You will be assessed by a variety of methods. Depending on which modules you opt to take, these could include:
- Essays
- Oral presentations
- Report writing
- Dissertation
- Alternative assessment methods such as film-making, blogging or posters
## Careers and skills
This course will prepare you for roles in a range of sectors, including heritage, commercial archaeology, film/television, journalism and academia. You'll also develop transferable skills that are applicable to a multitude of careers beyond archaeology and heritage.
### Career opportunities
- Funerary archaeology specialist
- Museum education and outreach
- Commerical archaeologist
- Heritage film maker
- Researcher
- Cultural heritage journalist
### Transferable skills
- High level of written and oral skills
- Problem solving
- Numerical literacy
- Teamwork
- Project management
- Time management
### [Careers and employability](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/careers/)
Turn ambition into achievement with our expert guidance and connections. From your first day here to life after graduation, we'll help you find your career advantage.
## Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| --- | --- |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in Archaeology, Anthropology or a relevant subject. |
| Other qualifications and experience | Mature students or those with less conventional qualifications but with relevant professional experience and enthusiasm for this field will be considered. To find out if your professional experience or qualifications are appropriate, please contact the Course Director. |
| Other international qualifications | [Equivalent qualifications from your country](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/international/your-country/) |
### Additional requirements
You will need to submit examples of written work with your application. Please see our [guidance on submitting written work](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/apply/documents/written-work/).
### English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
| --- | --- |
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our [postgraduate English language requirements](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/apply/international/english/).
#### If you haven't met our English language requirements
You may be eligible for one of our [pre-sessional English language courses](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/international/applying/international-pathway-college/pre-sessionals/). These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via [You@York](https://www.york.ac.uk/you-at-york/).
### Applying
You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.
- [How to apply](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/apply/)
[Apply for this course](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/apply?course=DPMARCSFUN1)
## Next steps
### Contact us
Get in touch if you have any questions
#### Postgraduate Student Services Team
[archaeology-pg@york.ac.uk](mailto:archaeology-pg@york.ac.uk)
[+44 (0)1904 323903](tel:+441904323903)
#### Dr Penny Bickle
[penny.bickle@york.ac.uk](mailto:penny.bickle@york.ac.uk)
### Department
[Department of Archaeology](https://www.york.ac.uk/archaeology/)
### Related courses
- [MSc Bioarchaeology](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/courses/msc-bioarchaeology/)
- [MSc Funerary Archaeology](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/courses/msc-funerary-archaeology/)
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