Postgraduate

Graduate Certificate 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.

Contact us

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

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

Many students who choose this programme are likely to do so to achieve the necessary osteological/forensic knowledge for relevant PhD study. Others are seeking employment in mainstream forensics. To that end, graduates of this course may find employment opportunities as a forensic scientist generally (or anthropologist specifically) in both the public and private sector, including areas such as the forensic science industry, science-based industries, teaching, government agencies, state and federal police, ASIO, correctional services and community services. Other possible career options include working as a freelance forensic anthropologist, or employment with a private forensic company, a national institution, or the United Nations.
Many students who choose this programme are likely to do so to achieve the necessary osteological/forensic knowledge for relevant PhD study. Others are seeking employment in mainstream forensics. To that end, graduates of this course may find employment opportunities as a forensic scientist generally (or anthropologist specifically) in both the public and private sector, including areas such as the forensic science industry, science-based industries, teaching, government agencies, state and federal police, ASIO, correctional services and community services. Other possible career options include working as a freelance forensic anthropologist, or employment with a private forensic company, a national institution, or the United Nations.

Further Study

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

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

Indicative annual course fee
2024
Full-Fee Paying Place $31,000.00

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

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

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.

International Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

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

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.

Admission requirements

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

Admission Requirements

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.

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

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

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

About the course

This course will acquaint you with current developments in forensic sciences of direct relevance to the application to forensic anthropology. 
Graduate Certificate 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
  • 72280
CRICOS code
  • 093805D
Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology
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
  • 72280
CRICOS code
  • 093805D
Full time/part time duration
  • 0.5 years
Degrees course is available in
  • Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology

Course structure

Why study this course?

  1. Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of the human skeleton 
  2. Participants will gain a practical understanding of the scientist’s role within the Australian legal system including ethics and research methods in the forensic sciences 
  3. Students can tailor their educational experience through selection of two core and two optional units (such as medico-legal death investigation, forensic archaeology, and scientific expert testimony) 

You'll learn to

  • become familiar with the human skeleton using real bone specimens 
  • have the skills to undertake a biological profile of human skeletal and dental remains 
  • become familiar with sciences aligned to forensic anthropology 

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.     
Forensic Anthropology

Articulated courses

This course is part of an articulated sequence with the:

Forensic Anthropology

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.