Anthropology

Master of Arts (MA)



Meet Sarah Bidinosti, MA candidate in Anthropology

“I really love just getting the chance to learn more from everyone around me because everyone is doing such interesting research.”

Supervisor: Andrew Nelson

What is it about your grad program that enables you to thrive and be successful?
The people in the department, from professors, to administration, and my fellow grad students. Everyone is there to help one another do their best and achieve their goals. It’s a really supportive environment.

Describe your research.
I am working to standardize the application of age, biological sex, and stature estimations to computed tomography (CT) scans of mummies. These methodologies were developed for use on dry bones but have not yet been systematically translated to the digital realm. There is a push towards non-destructive and non-invasive research, and creating a standardized methodology promotes accuracy and reliability for best practices and ethical research.

Do you serve on any Department, Faculty, or University committees?
I am president of the Western Anthropology Graduate Society.

What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
When looking into programs and supervisors, do the research to find a professor who not only has similar research interests, but that you also get along with. Finding the right supervisor is so important because they are going to be the person you are working the most closely with throughout the course of your degree, and having a good fit will set you up much better for success.

Program Websites


Program Contact

Christine Wall (cwall4@uwo.ca)
Graduate Program Coordinator

Department of Anthropology

Western University
Social Science Centre Rm 3324
London, Ontario N6A 5C2

t. 519-661-2111 ext. 85080
f. 519-661-2157

Anthropology is dedicated to documenting and understanding human beings. It takes as its starting proposition the idea that we can only reach such an understanding by studying people wherever and whenever they have occurred and from both a cultural and biological perspective. As such, it is one of the most diverse academic disciplines and draws its inspirations from the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities.

Program Length

  • 6 Terms (Full-time in all fields)
  • 12 terms (Part-time in Applied Archaeology field)

Program Design

  • Full-time study or part-time study (Applied Archaeology field only)
  • Thesis-based

Funding Information

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships (if eligible):

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html

Graduate Student Affordability Calculator

Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.

Admission Requirements

  • Four-year degree, honours or the equivalent, in anthropology, or an equivalent background in social sciences and/or the intended specialty.
  • At least a 78% or a B+ average for all available 3rd and 4th year courses.

Students who do not have a degree in anthropology may be required to take specific courses to fill in their background in preparation for admission to the graduate program. Please consult the Graduate Chair for clarification.

Additional Requirements

  • For admission to the applied archaeology stream, we also take into account professional experience gained since completion of undergraduate studies.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:

Application Deadline

  • International applicants: December 15

  • Domestic applicants: January 15

    • Acceptance notification in mid-March.

Fields of Research

  • Applied Archaeology
  • Archaeology and Biological Anthropology
  • Sociocultural and Linguistic Anthropology