Master of Science in Early Prehistory and Human Origins

at University of York United Kingdom

Electronic communications encompass a wide range of technologies from fibre-optics to mobile technology, from satellite engineering to the internet, and more.

We’ll prepare you to succeed in a fast-paced, technologically complex world of global-scale projects and ever-increasing demands for solutions and innovation. You'll be able to function with confidence in the challenging world of communications engineering, as a designer, researcher or as a manager.

You'll work with world-class researchers who are advancing our understanding of electronics every day, and draw on the expertise of the Communications Research Group. You'll develop your practical, organisational, management and business skills with project work in every year of the course.

Our Genetics course examines how the massive innovation in DNA sequencing technologies has revolutionised our knowledge and understanding of living systems, and makes it a particularly exciting time to be studying this subject.

This course is ideal if you want an interdisciplinary approach to Genetics. You will have a wide range of options to tailor the course to your developing interests.

Genetics encompasses the molecular studies of genes and genetic engineering, through human genetics and disease, to population genetics. Our increasing knowledge of the human and other genomes will continue to have a great impact on biotechnology, medicine and conservation.

Adding a year in industry or a year abroad are both an option with this course too, so you can benefit from the advantages that a year away can bring. The Department of Biology will provide you with the opportunity to learn in new, spacious and modern teaching laboratories which provide excellent facilities for practicals and small group project work, alongside our state-of-the-art computing facilities.

The MA in Comparative and International Social Policy will train you in comparative and international policy analysis, research and design.

It is ideal for those working or hoping to work in international policy analysis and policy development in governments, charities and NGOs around the world.

This MA is especially suitable for:

• graduates from degrees in social policy, politics, sociology, international studies or other social sciences
• graduates from other backgrounds who wish to develop a high quality of graduate level research training in social research methods and policy analysis
• graduates who wish to develop an understanding of comparative and international welfare institutional arrangements
• those looking to develop a career in social research and/or policy analysis.

This exciting combined degree in History and Politics will help you attain a global understanding of events, institutions and structures. You'll explore how human society works now, and how it has worked in the past. You'll analyse the meaning of ideas such as freedom and democracy, and investigate the factors that have shaped society and culture around the world over time.

You'll join two highly respected research intensive departments, being taught by academics at the forefront of their field. You'll graduate with the knowledge and the practical skills to play your part in tackling some of the world’s most important problems.

Explore the ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping our lives and raising complex social, political, ethical and conceptual questions.

On this MA you can study issues in AI and investigate them through your own research. You can choose from a wide range of option modules. You'll also be able to create a substantial piece of research following your own interests, with our support. You'll develop valuable transferable skills in research, analysis, critical thinking and presentation which will be essential if you are thinking of continuing to study to PhD level. The skills that you develop on the course will also equip you for a range of careers, including work with technology ethics and policy, and technology consulting.

You’ll join our postgraduate community across both the Department of Philosophy and the Humanities Research Centre, and participate in our broad and diverse research culture.

Our course will provide you with a detailed foundation in the key theories and questions in psycholinguistics, while giving you practical training in the techniques, methodologies, and quantitative analysis methods associated with this field. You’ll analyse the ways in which language is represented and processed in real time, and study the factors that enable us to comprehend and use language. You'll have the opportunity to develop your interest in areas such as bilingualism, syntactic and semantic processing, and early phonetic and phonological development.

With world-class tutors, you’ll gain knowledge of the key theories, controversies, and research methods, and develop skills in understanding and designing experiments. You’ll apply your skills to psycholinguistic data, and learn to perform original research in psycholinguistics.

Apply the study of philosophy to theology and engage with some of the most complex and historically significant questions that have shaped Western and Middle Eastern civilisation.

Move from studying philosophical and theological problems to investigating them as a researcher in your own right. Focus on Philosophy and the study of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic analytic theology in conversation with each other, informed by analysis of the spiritual practices that these faiths incorporate.

Our department has a strong research profile in analytic theology and we'll provide support for you to pursue your own research project.

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 whilst 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. You'll be able to select modules to allow you to explore your own research interests and have the chance to visit Upper Palaeolithic rock art on a field trip to Creswell Crags.

Material culture tells the story of people and their things: allowing us insights into the significance that objects held for people in the past.

Interweaving practical and theoretical approaches to material culture, this course explores ethnoarchaeological and experimental archaeological approaches to objects, alongside functional analyses of a broad range of artefact types.

You will discover the theories underpinning our understanding of the material world while developing invaluable practical skills such as designing and executing your own experimental archaeology project, the analysis of microscopic wear and residue traces, working with objects from excavations and museum collections or making a short documentary film for the heritage sector.

Whatever your period of interest is, this course will equip you with the skills and experience you need to begin a career in cultural heritage, academia, or commercial archaeology.

This degree is designed for students who would like to develop a strong philosophical dimension to their study of social and political sciences.

You'll be taught by world-leading academics across four departments and study the most up-to-date theories in social and political sciences. As your studies progress you'll have the flexibility to tailor your degree to allow you to focus on your own interests, from globalisation, human rights and the future of the welfare state to migration, equality and social justice.

You'll have the opportunity to contribute to your own high-profile seminar series and become involved in the dynamic student-run SPS Society. You'll be encouraged to take up an internship or work placement in which you'll get first-hand experience of the work you're interested in.