Austria

University of Vienna

• Department: Department of Evolutionary Anthropology

• Programs:

  • Bachelor/Master in Biology (Anthropology specialization)

• Discipline:

• Focus: Human evolution, virtual anthropology, and methodology. As the only biologically oriented anthropology department in Austria, it serves as the hub for evolutionary research.

• Website: https://www.univie.ac.at/en/

Belgium

Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

• Department: Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences / Faculty of Sciences

• Programs:

  • Master in Anthropology (Biological Anthropology focus available)

• Discipline:

• Focus: A scientific approach to the biology of human and animal societies, evolution, and behavior, providing the biological grounding necessary for forensic applications.

• Website: https://www.ulb.be/en/programme/ma-antr

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KU Leuven

• Department: Department of Imaging & Pathology / Forensic Biomedical Sciences

• Programs:

  • Biomedical Sciences (Forensic Biomedical Sciences option)

• Discipline: [Forensic Anthropology] / [Forensic Genetics]

• Focus: Integrated within the Forensic Biomedical Sciences group, this track focuses on forensic genetics, molecular archaeology, and forensic medicine, including identification techniques.

• Website: https://gbiomed.kuleuven.be/english/research/50000677/50000705

Czech Republic

Masaryk University (Brno)

• Department: Department of Anthropology

• Programs:

  • MSc in Anthropology

• Discipline: [Forensic Anthropology] /

• Focus: The program is integral, covering biological, social, and forensic aspects. It hosts the Laboratory of Morphology and Forensic Anthropology and actively engages in expert forensic casework.

• Website: https://www.muni.cz/en

Denmark

University of Copenhagen

• Department: Department of Forensic Medicine

• Programs:

  • MSc in Anthropology (Biological specialization available)

  • PhD via the RIO (Graduate Programme for Oral Sciences, Forensic Medicine and Bioanthropology)

• Discipline: [Forensic Anthropology] /

• Focus: High-level research in physical anthropology and forensic medicine, often linked to the Section of Forensic Pathology.

• Website: https://retsmedicin.ku.dk/english/

France

Aix-Marseille Université

• Department: UMR 7268 ADES (Anthropologie bio-culturelle, Droit, Éthique & Santé)

• Programs:

  • Master in Funeral Archaeology and Biological Anthropology

  • Medical/Forensic Track (Anthropologie médico-légale)

• Discipline: [Forensic Anthropology] /

• Focus: A unique interdisciplinary unit integrating biological anthropology with law and medical ethics. Specializes in mass death contexts and forensic identification.

• Website: https://ades.hypotheses.org/

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University of Bordeaux

• Department: PACEA (De la Préhistoire à l’Actuel : Culture, Environnement et Anthropologie)

• Programs:

  • Master in Archaeology, Sciences for Archaeology (Track: Biological Anthropology / Paleoanthropology)

• Discipline:

• Focus: Rigorous training in osteology, evolution, and biological variation. While evolutionary in focus, the skills are directly applicable to forensic contexts.

• Website: https://www.u-bordeaux.fr/

Germany

University of Tübingen

• Department: Institute for Archaeological Sciences

• Programs:

  • MSc in Paleoanthropology

• Discipline:

• Focus: A world-leading center for evolutionary biology, paleogenetics, and virtual anthropology (3D imaging).

• Website: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/

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Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

• Department: Institute of Anthropology (Faculty of Biology)

• Programs:

  • MSc in Anthropology

• Discipline:

• Focus: Focuses on human genetics, physical anthropology, and population biology.

• Website: https://www.bio.uni-mainz.de/

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University of Freiburg

• Department: Faculty of Biology

• Programs:

  • MSc Interdisciplinary Anthropology

• Discipline:

• Focus: Offers a specialization in “Life and Behavioural Anthropology” dealing with the biological dimensions of humanity.

• Website: https://www.uni-freiburg.de/

Italy

University of Milan (Statale)

• Department: LABANOF (Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense)

• Programs:

  • Specialized courses in Forensic Anthropology and Odontology

• Discipline: [Forensic Anthropology]

• Focus: A renowned institute for the “Protection of the Right to Identity,” specializing in humanitarian forensics, identification of migrants, and the forensic anthropology of the living.

• Website: http://www.labanof.unimi.it/

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University of Bologna

• Department: Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences

• Programs:

  • Master in Skeletal Anthropology, Forensic and Paleopathology

• Discipline: [Forensic Anthropology] /

• Focus: Prepares experts for the study of human skeletal remains in both archaeological and judicial contexts, including recovery and biological profiling.

• Website: https://www.unibo.it/en

Netherlands

Leiden University

• Department: Faculty of Archaeology

• Programs:

  • MSc in Archaeology (Human Osteoarchaeology specialization)

• Discipline: / [Forensic Archaeology]

• Focus: Comprehensive training in skeletal biology, pathology, and taphonomy. Explicitly includes forensic archaeology modules.

• Website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en

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University of Amsterdam (UvA)

• Department: Amsterdam School for Heritage, Memory and Material Culture

• Programs:

  • Forensic Archaeology (Research group/track)

• Discipline: [Forensic Archaeology]

• Focus: Focuses on the intersection of material culture, memory, and legal identification, often in contexts of transitional justice.

• Website: https://www.uva.nl/en

Poland

Jagiellonian University (Krakow)

• Department: Faculty of Biology / Department of Anthropology

• Programs:

  • Postgraduate Course: Forensic Anthropology in Practice

• Discipline: [Forensic Anthropology]

• Focus: A specialized course targeting the lack of national experts, covering identification methods for criminal cases and mass graves.

• Website: https://en.uj.edu.pl/

Portugal

University of Coimbra

• Department: Department of Life Sciences / Centre for Functional Ecology (CEF)

• Entity: Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology (CENCIFOR – Forensic Sciences Centre)

• Programs:

  • Master in Forensic Anthropology

• Discipline: [Forensic Anthropology]

• Focus: Home to the world-famous Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collections. The program emphasizes the validation of identification methods using these unique reference collections, making it a critical hub for standardizing forensic methodology in Europe.

• Website: https://www.uc.pt/en

Spain

University of Granada

• Department: Faculty of Medicine / Laboratory of Anthropology

• Programs:

  • Master’s Degree in Physical and Forensic Anthropology

• Discipline: [Forensic Anthropology] /

• Focus: A leading institution in identification and exhumation, particularly regarding historical memory. The program combines physical anthropology foundations with forensic application.

• Website: https://www.ugr.es/en

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University of Barcelona

• Department: Faculty of Biology

• Programs:

  • Master in Biological Anthropology (Physical and Forensic Anthropology track)

• Discipline: / [Forensic Anthropology]

• Focus: Offers specialized training in diversity, health, and forensic identification.

• Website: https://www.ub.edu/web/portal/en/

Sweden

Stockholm University

• Department: Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies

• Programs:

  • Master’s Programme in Archaeology (Osteoarchaeology specialization)

• Discipline:

• Focus: While archaeological in nature, the osteological training is rigorous and applicable to forensic contexts.

• Website: https://www.su.se/english/

Switzerland

University of Zurich

• Department: Department of Evolutionary Anthropology

• Programs:

  • MSc in Biology (Anthropology)

• Discipline:

• Focus: Investigates evolutionary and biological processes using quantitative and genetic methods.

• Website: https://www.uzh.ch/en.html

United Kingdom

Cranfield University

• Department: Cranfield Forensic Institute

• Programs:

  • MSc Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology

• Discipline: [Forensic Archaeology] / [Forensic Anthropology]

• Focus: Highly operational and practical, focusing on the recovery of remains, mass grave excavation, and crime scene management.

• Website: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/

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University College London (UCL)

• Department: Institute of Archaeology

• Programs:

  • MSc Bioarchaeological and Forensic Anthropology

• Discipline: [Forensic Anthropology] /

• Focus: Bridges the gap between studying ancient populations and modern forensic cases, with access to major museum collections.

• Website: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/

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University of Dundee

• Department: Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID)

• Programs:

  • MSc Forensic Anthropology

• Discipline: [Forensic Anthropology]

• Focus: Known for its anatomy-led approach and facial reconstruction expertise.

• Website: https://www.dundee.ac.uk/