From skeletons to genetics, from populations to individuals: join the journey of discovering the human biological narrative.
Why study postgraduate Biological Anthropology?
Human beings are complex, ever-changing, and deeply biological. In the postgraduate programme in Biological Anthropology at Otago, you’ll examine what makes us human from the inside out: how our bodies evolved, how human populations differ, and how our biological past matters today. You’ll work at the intersection of anatomy, genetics, archaeology and forensic science, asking questions like 'What can human bones tell us about migration, health and the environment?' and 'How do our evolutionary stories inform our present and future?' Otago’s approach emphasises human biological variation and skeletal remains from archaeological sites as key windows into our evolutionary past. Your postgraduate study will empower you to move beyond undergraduate learning into purpose-driven research that matters for heritage, health, environmental change and forensic contexts.
Career opportunities
At Otago we help you build skills not just in knowledge but in investigation and application. The pathways from postgraduate study in Biological Anthropology include:
- Researcher in human evolution, bioarchaeology or biological anthropology
- Forensic anthropologist or human remains specialist
- Heritage consultant assessing human skeletal material in archaeological contexts
- Human population health analyst focusing on variation, adaptation or migration
- Academic or lecturer shaping the next generation of anthropologists
What it’s like to study at this level
Your postgraduate experience will be immersive and collaborative. You will join smaller research-led seminars, work alongside expert staff and doctoral students, and dive into hands-on projects examining skeletal remains, analysing genetic and morphological data, or engaging with field or lab research. At Otago you’ll have access to specialised labs, collections and the unique human variation resources in the Department of Anatomy. You’ll work with peers and supervisors who challenge your thinking and support your growth, moving from being a learner to becoming a scholar capable of making original contributions.
This is for you if ...
You will benefit most from having a strong undergraduate background in biological sciences, anatomy or anthropology, together with skills in data analysis, critical thinking and a keen interest in human biology, variation and evolution.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Biological Anthropology as an undergraduate at Otago.
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
BIOA papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOA101 | 2026 | Introduction to Biological Anthropology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| BIOA201 | 2026 | Biocultural Human Skeletal Biology | 18 points | Summer School, Semester 1 |
| BIOA301 | 2026 | Biological Anthropology of the Human Skeleton | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| BIOA401 | 2026 | Advanced Biological Anthropology | 20 points | Full Year |
Contacts
Email anatomy@otago.ac.nz
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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