Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 Early Prehistory and Human Origins (MSc) MSc Early Prehistory and Human Origins Explore what it means to be human Year of entry: 2026 (September) Overview Course content Fees and funding Teaching and assessment Careers Entry requirements Start date September 2026 View semester dates Length 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, 3 years part-time School/department Department of Archaeology Apply for this course Sign up for event invites Sign up for our postgraduate emails to get event invites straight to your inbox. Find out more 5 th in the UK QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026 16 th in the world for archaeology QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026 What makes us ‘human’? How did early human societies work? How different were Neanderthals from ourselves and why did they die out? What was life like in the Ice Age? Debate these questions and many others within a lively research environment as you build up your knowledge and experience of early prehistoric societies from three million to 5,000 years ago. The archaeology of human origins is a fascinating and dynamic area of research, with new evidence and theories constantly changing our interpretation of who we are. On this course you'll explore the archaeology and approaches to human origins while working alongside internationally renowned specialists in early prehistoric archaeology and human evolution. You'll have the opportunity to work on pioneering studies with the potential for significant media exposure and gain ‘hands on’ experience of museum collections at the York Museum.
Key Program Features
- Immersive On-Campus Experience: In-person seminars, laboratory sessions, and professional networking at University of York.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Humanities & Arts.
- Diverse International Cohort: Study alongside students from around the world, broadening your global professional network.
- Research-Informed Curriculum: Content grounded in the latest academic research and real-world industry practice.
- Dissertation / Capstone Project: Culminating independent project applying your expertise to an original research question or industry challenge.
- Dedicated Career Support: Access to career coaching, employer networking events, and job placement assistance.
- 12 months Duration: Part-time and accelerated options may be available — enquire with the admissions office.
Career Opportunities
Careers and skills
This course offers a broad range of essential skills and expertise, specialist knowledge and insight, which are relevant to a wide variety of careers or further study. Many of our students go on to pursue research at PhD level while others have taken up careers in heritage, conservation, the archaeology sector and academia.
Career opportunities
- PhD researcher
- Higher education lecturer
- Museum curation
- Heritage consultant
- Archaeologist
- Grants assessor
Transferable skills
- Time management
- Awareness of societies and how they work
- Critical understanding of arguments
- How to formulate and construct debate
- Communication skills
- Research skills
- Presentation skills
Program Curriculum
Course content
You will study 180 credits over the duration of your course:
- Semester 1 - One core and two option modules
- Semester 2 - Two option modules, with an 80 credit dissertation
- Summer Semester - 80 credit dissertation continued
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules Your core modules will cover topics such as: Becoming Human Option modules You will choose four option modules from examples including: Artefacts and Materials Analysis Data Science for Archaeology Mesolithic Life and Death Prehistoric Art: Origins and Transitions The Archaeology of the Human Skeleton You'll also have the opportunity to choose options from our full module catalogue. Some option modules combinations may not be possible. The option available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Ancient Biomolecules Animal bones for Archaeologists Archaeologies of Colonialism in the British Atlantic World Building Conservation Projects Buildings Recording Contemporary Issues in Museums Critical Approaches to Archaeological Practice Death, Burial and Commemoration in the Roman World Debates in Funerary Archaeology Digital Approaches to Archaeology Digital Creativity Experimental Archaeology GIS and spatial analysis Heritage Principles and Concepts Histories of Conservation Landscape survey and geophysics Life and Death in Iron Age Britain and Ireland Making the Nation Medieval Settlement and Communities Museums, Audiences & Interpretation Presenting Historic Houses Project Management Researching & Analysing Historic Buildings Roman Archaeology Roman Europe Skeletal Evidence for Health in the Past Sustainable Buildings Sustainable Conservation Challenges Sustainability I Sustainability II The Ancient Celts: Archaeology and Identity in Iron Age Europe The Archaeology of Roman Religion The Viking Age: People, Places and Things Thinking through Material Culture Understanding & Interpreting Historic Buildings Virtual Reality and 3D Modelling Zooarchaeology in Context 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 10,000-word dissertation 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: Narratives within Upper Palaeolithic cave art The prehistory of compassion Neanderthal children and burial Childhood in evolutionary perspectives Venus figurines Reinterpreting Clactonian and Acheulian assemblages New perspectives on microliths and social status
Admission Requirements
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 experience in 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 |
Additional requirements
You will need to submit examples of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting 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 . If you haven't met our English language requirements You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . 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 .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
EUR 15,680/year (international)
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 .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Financial Aid & Scholarships
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 .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
About University of York
University of York
Heslington, United Kingdom
University of York is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)
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