Postgraduate
Master of Forensic Anthropology
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Address
Student Central
The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009
Telephone
131 UWA (131 892)
International
(+61 8) 6488 1000
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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
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.
Cost of living
International Student Fees
Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.
Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.
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.
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
(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 or Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology at UWA.
Ranking and Selection Process
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.
How to apply
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Find out how to apply through our simple online application process.
We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course.
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Course details
About the course
Quick details
- Available
- Perth (Crawley campus)
- Full-time
- Part-time
- On-campus
- Semester 1
- 8-12 hours
- Postgraduate
- 72580
- 093807B
Course structure
Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.
Why study this course
- To achieve necessary knowledge and training towards employment in mainstream forensics
- To gain the ability to prepare and present professional reports for the judiciary
- Learn how specialised forensic practitioners work collaboratively in response to criminal and other activity (e.g. homicide; genocide; DVI; terrorism)
You'll learn to
- specialise in a particular area of interest, gaining practical experience in an independent scientific study through the completion of a project of direct relevance to forensic anthropology
- participate in moot practical excavations focusing on the recovery of forensic evidence of past human activities
- work in a laboratory environment specifically designed to accommodate forensic anthropological requirements for professional practice
- explore the margins of forensic anthropology through an independent literature-based and professional research project
Sari Tjiang
"I have always been interested in forensics, and after completing my study in Forensic Medicine in Indonesia, I saw that Forensic Anthropology is a discipline that is underexplored, particularly in the eastern part of Indonesia, although the case demand is high. Therefore, I chose to study further about Forensic Anthropology to improve my knowledge and skills, as well as keep myself updated with recent methods and techniques. I expect that I can apply my study to provide better forensic medical services for my country.
I really enjoy the practical lab sessions, as they allow us to apply our knowledge in real practice. Attending lectures is undoubtedly useful, but hands-on sessions are where I learned so much, especially as the teaching staff are very knowledgeable, supportive, and the lab facilities are excellent.
I have always wanted to work for human rights and humanitarian purposes, and this is one of many reasons why I chose forensics. I hope that I will be able to work in an independent forensic facility (which is not available yet in my country). I would also like to return to academia as a lecturer because teaching is also one of my passions."
Put theory into practice
Current UWA students are eligible to take one of our professional experience units. These units bridge the gap between university and the workplace by providing opportunities to gain hands-on, practical experience. You can master new skills, make connections and network, get a taste of the opportunities in the workforce and add experience to your resume, all before graduating.
Find out more about Work Integrated Learning.
Articulated courses
This course is part of an articulated sequence with the:
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.
Fancy yourself a forensic investigator? This one's for you
Interested in forensic anthropology? Find out how forensic investigators solve crimes.
Top skills you'll develop
- Ability to interpret post-mortem modifications to human remains (forensic taphonomy).
- Search and recovery of human remains using forensic archaeological protocols in a variety of depositional contexts (surface; sub-surface).
- Understanding of forensic practice as it relates to judicial requirements in Australia (specifically) and internationally (broadly).
- Ability to prepare and present professional reports for the judiciary.
- Ability to analyse physical human remains (skeletal and dental materials).