In celebration of the recent £7.2m investment in the laboratory equipment and infrastructure at the Cranfield Forensic Institute, Cranfield University are awarding up to five scholarships to attract talented international postgraduate students to study for the NEW MSc in Archaeological Science. Each scholarship awards £10,300 towards the International Tuition Fee for 2023/24 entry. Awards are made for a maximum duration of one calendar year for full time study.

Other funding opportunities could be found in:

https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/taught-degrees/fees-and-funding

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, the equivalent of a UK First Class Honours or 2:1 degree in a relevant subject area. We encourage applications both from students with degrees in archaeology who want to learn more about scientific techniques, and students with natural science degrees interested in archaeological applications. Please note Erasmus funded students are not eligible for this scholarship.

Up to five scholarships will be competitively awarded according to academic ability and leadership potential within the field of Archaeological Sciences.

Successful applicants will be announced by 30th June 2023 and will be expected to act as Ambassadors for the MSc in Archaeological Sciences which will include contributions such as social media blogs on their Student Experience, open days, marketing activities at conferences and becoming an active alum that engages with the University and prospective students following this award.

At a glance

  • Funding value£10,300 toward tuition fees
  • Suitable for Applicants fromEU, Rest of World
  • Deadline26 May 2023
  • Funding provider(s)Cranfield Forensic Institute

What it covers

The £10,300 scholarship goes towards the MSc in Archaeological Science tuition fee.

Who can apply

Offer holders who have applied and received an offer from Cranfield University to study the MSc in Archaeomaterials course for the intake starting October 2023 to secure their place.

Applicable courses

Further information

Please contact AM-course-director@cranfield.ac.uk for further information after consulting the below FAQ's.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the CFI 2023 International Excellence Scholarship cover all my financial needs?

The CFI scholarship funding does not cover all the costs needed to study in Cranfield, only a contribution to the International course fee of £10,300.

Are there any other scholarships or bursaries for the Forensic Master’s Programme?

The Funding Team of Cranfield University has information on the following page: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/funding

I have a study offer from Cranfield University; can I apply?

You need to hold an offer of study for the MSc in Archaeological Science and have accepted your offer and paid the deposit to secure your place.

How does Cranfield Forensic Institute courses compare with other UK archaeological science courses?

Cranfield University’s recent investment of £7.2 million into the latest analytical equipment, laboratories, and teaching spaces, coupled with an expanding team of research-active archaeological scientists means that 2023 is an exciting time to join this dynamic department. 

Cranfield Forensic Institute (CFI) has a long history of excellence in archaeological science, and recent additions to academic staff have expanded the breadth and depth of our capabilities. Situated in a wider University context that places strong emphasis on applied analytical science, we have one of the largest and most well-equipped laboratory facilities for archaeological materials research in the UK.

CFI was established as the home for the many forensic-related disciplines active at Cranfield University, such as materials science, engineering failures, explosives and ballistics, forensic archaeology and anthropology, and heritage crime investigation, many of which share analytical methodologies and/or thematic links with archaeological science. Our superb facilities and excellent industry links provide students with high quality education and research opportunities, making CFI unique within the postgraduate education sector. CFI staff direct archaeological field projects, both within the UK and internationally, giving archaeological science students opportunities to work with materials from ongoing excavations. Likewise, our strong links with museums offer research opportunities for students interested in projects based on museum collections. Finally, our unique relationship with the UK Ministry of Defence also allows access to a range of facilities at the Defence Academy, Shrivenham, not found in any comparable academic institution.

At the new location for CFI on the Cranfield Campus Students have access to our purpose-built outdoor experimental archaeology and forensics facility, which has been specifically designed to enable research and teaching of about pyrotechnologies, animal decomposition, taphonomy, and excavation of buried remains. We also have unique microscopy services and facilities, as well as analytical and biomechanics laboratories.

How do I apply?

Firstly, you need to hold an offer of study for the MSc in Archaeological Science and have accepted your offered and paid the deposit to secure your place.  We then ask for a separate Justification for Support document, (maximum of 800 words) in PDF format to be submitted on the website by the deadline of midnight on the Friday 26th May 2023.

What do you look for in the Justification for Support submission?

Beyond having top academic achievement, we are looking for evidence of potential excellence within the field of Archaeological Science. We want to understand your vision of the future. We look for justification on how your chosen study route will help you achieve your future plans and career. Most importantly, we want you to demonstrate your communication ability. The Justification for Support should not be a tick box set of answers. We are looking for an expression of personality and why you would excel on the MSc in Archaeological Science, and why Cranfield is your first choice of university.

How is the selection done?

After the submission deadline, we shall have a shortlist evaluation.  Shortlisted candidates may be invited to a remote interview in June. The panel evaluate the performance of the candidate and make the final decision.

When do I hear from you after the submission?

An acknowledgement shall be sent once you apply. We shall then get in touch after the competition closes.

Can I email my submission?

The webform is the only means of submission. 

Can I ask questions?

If you have any questions that have not been answered on this webpage, please contact us at AM-course-director@cranfield.ac.uk

How to apply

Begin by applying for the MSc in Archaeological Science. Application links are available on the course page. Your online application will form part of our evaluation of your academic achievement.

Applications for the Cranfield Forensic Institute 2023 International Excellence Scholarship should be made online by Friday 26th May 2023, midnight. The online form is the only means of submission and you must submit a Justification for Support statement (maximum of 800 words) in PDF format. There is no pre-defined format for the Justification for Support statement, and you are encouraged to prepare this to best reflect your personality. 

The Justification for Support shall be evaluated based on:

  • Academic achievement
  • Evidence of potential for excellence
  • Vision for the future (both personal goals and for the field of Archaeomaterials)
  • Communication ability

Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed by telephone or video conference during June 2023. Successful applicants shall be informed by 30th June 2023 of the award. The decision of the panel is final.

Get in touch

Student Funding and Scholarships

T: +44 (0)1234 758181

Email us: studentfunding@cranfield.ac.uk