MSc Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation
Bradford, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The MSc Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation at the University of Bradford applies archaeological techniques to recover evidential material from crime scenes, including buried human remains. Staff with crime scene experience teach advanced practical, analytical and interpretative skills, multidisciplinary methods, crime scene management and police collaboration; Bradford staff helped define skills matrices and the Home Office Forensic Science Regulator recognizes the discipline.
Career Outcomes: The university offers careers support, placements and workshops to improve employability. Graduates enter roles in law enforcement, Scene of Crime/Scientific Support, forensic science and commercial archaeology; working in crime scene investigation, recovery or research.
Forensic Archaeology is the specialist application of archaeological techniques to the search and recovery of evidential material from crime scenes, often but not always related to buried human remains.
This course is taught by staff with extensive crime scene experience who regularly work on a range of operations and are at the forefront of the professional development of the discipline.
The course will:
- Provide you with advanced practical, analytical, and interpretative skills in forensic archaeology
- Provide training in discipline skills to enable graduates to pursue careers in Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)
- Prepare students for careers in non-cognate fields through an emphasis on teamwork and the application of a wide knowledge base to problem-solving
This course combines approaches from different disciplines to provide students with a comprehensive forensic skill set.
Forensic archaeologists must appreciate their role within a wider police investigation and have a detailed understanding of crime scene management procedures.
Forensic Archaeology in the United Kingdom is rapidly developing and recognized as a distinct discipline by the Home Office Forensic Science Regulator. Bradford staff have been actively involved in defining skills matrices for use by the Institute for Archaeologists as part of the process of professional regulation.
What you will study
Students can either choose to undertake a substantial individual research dissertation or take part in a simulated, complex, multi-scene investigation.
All module information is for 2023 entry and is subject to change.
First-year
- Introduction to Forensic Archaeology and Forensic Anthropology
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Professional Development
- Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation
- Forensic Taphonomy
- Law for Expert Witnesses
Dissertation Route
- Dissertation (ARC7034-E)
Non Disertation Route
- Advanced Fieldwork Programme for CSI
- Independent Research Papers for CSI
Learning and assessment
Due to the specialist nature of the program, all modules are core to the program, although students can choose between the research dissertation and the non-dissertation route. The teaching strategy makes use of employer engagement by including the delivery of elements from police CSIs, and specialists from Forensic Service Providers (Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Archaeology, and CSI) in support of LO1.
The thematic modules are delivered in a combination of formal lectures, student-led intensive seminars/tutorials, and extensive practical instruction. Coursework (simulated crime scene and field documentation, witness statements) is geared towards demonstrating relevant knowledge, understanding, and professional skills in principal approaches to the recovery, interpretation, and reporting of forensic evidence. Communication skills are tested in both written and oral form in several modules.
We award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU, and international students every year based on academic excellence, personal circumstances, or economic hardship.
Career support
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programs. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work, and graduate vacancies.
Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans by exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programs, there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.
Career prospects
Graduates from this program have gone on to work in law enforcement (both as Police Officers and Scene of Crime/Scientific Support), Forensic Science as well as commercial archaeology with enhanced skill sets.
