Postgraduate

Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology

Take Forensic Anthropology to the next level with state of the art research and population specific standards for Forensic, DVI and humanitarian investigation of the human skeleton.
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The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

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(+61 8) 6488 1000

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Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

As a graduate, you'll have a range of employment options. You could pursue a career as a forensic scientist in general, or an anthropologist specifically, in both public and private sectors. Opportunities might include working in forensic science industries, other science-based fields, teaching, or with government agencies, state and federal police, ASIO, correctional services, and community services. You could also consider freelancing as a forensic anthropologist or working with a private forensic company, a national institution, or even the United Nations.
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Career Pathways

As a graduate, you'll have a range of employment options. You could pursue a career as a forensic scientist in general, or an anthropologist specifically, in both public and private sectors. Opportunities might include working in forensic science industries, other science-based fields, teaching, or with government agencies, state and federal police, ASIO, correctional services, and community services. You could also consider freelancing as a forensic anthropologist or working with a private forensic company, a national institution, or even the United Nations.

Further Study

Students completing this degree may have the option to pursue further studies in research. 

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Further Study

Students completing this degree may have the option to pursue further studies in research. 

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Student Fees

Annual course fee
2025
Full-Fee Paying Place $31,500.00

For Full-Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on a standard annual study load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL).

Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Visit the Fee Calculator and select your course type to find out more. Fees are subject to annual indexation.

More information on how fees are calculated.

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

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Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

International Student Fees

Annual course fee
2024
$48,100.00
2025
$50,700.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees.

Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Search Scholarships

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

Admission Requirements

(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) successfully completed prior study in a field relevant to Forensic Anthropology; or
(2) completed a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology at UWA.
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Admission Requirements

(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) successfully completed prior study in a field relevant to Forensic Anthropology; or
(2) completed a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology at UWA.

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
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Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

How to apply

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Course details

This course will acquaint you with current developments in forensic sciences of direct relevance to the application of forensic anthropology. 

About the course

This course will acquaint you with current developments in basic forensic sciences and particularly those medical and social sciences of direct relevance to the application of forensic anthropology. Forensic anthropology has practical applications in forensic investigations as well as humanitarian efforts for the investigation of both living and deceased individuals. 
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About the course

The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology has been designed specifically to acquaint students with current developments in basic forensic sciences and particularly those medical and social sciences which are of direct relevance to the application of forensic anthropology. This course will enable students to undertake advanced studies in forensic anthropology, develop an in-depth knowledge of the human skeleton and gain a practical understanding of the scientist’s role within the Australian legal system. There is considerable diversity of research related to forensic anthropology, ranging from traditional morphometrics through to computer-graphic facial reconstruction. Forensic anthropology has practical applications in forensic investigations as well as humanitarian efforts for the investigation of both living and deceased individuals. 
Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 8-12 hours
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 72380
CRICOS code
  • 093806C
View full details
Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 8-12 hours
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 72380
CRICOS code
  • 093806C
Full time/part time duration
  • 1 year
Degrees course is available in
  • Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Course structure details

Why study this course?

  • Students will undertake advanced studies in forensic anthropology and develop an in-depth knowledge of the human skeleton 
  • Participants will achieve a practical understanding of the forensic anthropologist’s role within the Australian legal system as well as a grounding in ethics and research methods in Forensic Science
  • Students will gain the analytical and practical skills needed to provide expert testimony in court

Why study this course?

Work Integrated Learning

Students are immersed in Forensic Anthropology at UWA, home to the Centre for Forensic Anthropology; students at all levels of their physical anthropology journey are expected to participate in discussions about recent advancements, student research, and contemporary issues within the field. This all-inclusive experience builds bonds between students and staff that continue after graduation. 

Staff within the Centre for Forensic Anthropology have industry experience, contacts and participate in fieldwork on occasion. Students are often invited to participate in any relevant opportunities that arise.     

Work Integrated Learning

Forensic Anthropology

Articulated courses

This course is part of an articulated sequence with the:


Forensic Anthropology

Articulated courses

The Centre for Forensic Anthropology

The Centre for Forensic Anthropology is committed to the development of a new generation of morphometric tools and standards for application in forensic identification in Western Australia. A requirement in routine casework involving unidentified skeletal remains is the formulation of an accurate biological profile.

Choice of method is invariably related to skeletal preservation and by association the bones available. It is vital however that the method applied affords statistical quantification of accuracy rates and predictive confidence, so that evidentiary requirements for legal submission are met. Achieving the latter requires the application of contemporary population-specific standards.

Our research group is working towards developing these standards through the integration of morphological computer-based (geometric morphometric) analytical approaches and multivariate isotopic and elemental chemical methods for the identification of unknown human remains. The Anthropology research group is keen to develop a ‘Human Identification Package’ (HIP) for specific application within forensic casework and Disaster Victim Identification (DVI).

The group welcomes international and interdisciplinary collaborations of value to the fields of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. Follow us on Facebook.

The Centre for Forensic Anthropology