BSc
Anthropology BSc (Hons)
Biological anthropology is the study of the evolution and biological variation of humans. Understanding how humans evolved to become the species we are today, rich in biological and cultural diversity, helps us address major issues affecting our existence today.
How to apply Apply via UCAS
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BSc
UCAS Code
L601
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAB
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £27,000 per year
Overview
Our BSc Anthropology degree is designed to give you a broad understanding of humanity, from our evolutionary origins to our present day behavioural and cultural diversity. Biological anthropology is closely related to archaeology and primatology, and so you will also gain an appreciation of how humans are related to other species, living and extinct. You will study biological anthropology in the context of a broad approach to the subject including social anthropology as well as interdisciplinary perspectives on health. As you move through your degree, you will shift from being a consumer to a generator of knowledge, ready for professional or postgraduate life. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BSc
UCAS Code
L601
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAB
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £27,000 per year
What you'll study
In the first year, you will receive a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of anthropology in the broadest sense, addressing the core disciplines of social and biological anthropology as well as interdisciplinary perspectives on health. In your second year, you will develop a deeper and more complex grasp of biological and evolutionary anthropology and continue to gain ‘hands-on’ experience of conducting research through a series of local field trips and activities. In your final year, you will design and carry out your own research project for your dissertation and take part in our residential Field Course module, an intensive 7-day experience at one of several European destinations, or online as part of our Virtual Field Course.
Core modules
-
Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology
provides an overview of the history of anthropology, including the major theoretical developments and debates, and how these affect the practice of anthropology today.
-
Doing Anthropological Research
provides hands-on training in anthropological research methods, both quantitative and qualitative. This module will prepare you for future research projects including fieldwork and your dissertation, and allow you to develop highly transferable research skills.
-
Health, Illness and Society
promotes the value of a multidisciplinary perspective to the study of health and illness, and gives insight into how social, cultural, biological and evolutionary factors interact in the study of health and disease.You will learn about the potential for medical anthropology and evolutionary medicine to contribute to health policy and planning in diverse human societies.
-
Human Evolution and Diversity
introduces how humans evolved over the past few million years to become the unique species we are today, rich in biological and cultural diversity. We also cover our relationships with extinct hominins and our closest primate relatives.
-
People and Cultures
provides an introduction to the people and cultures of the world from a social anthropological perspective and prepares you for further critical study of the discipline.
Core modules
-
Anthropological Research Methods in Action
provides opportunities for inquiry-based learning by addressing key anthropological issues beyond the classroom. You will learn to develop and apply research skills relevant to the different areas of anthropology, including field-based research.
-
Mind and Culture
covers the evolution of human cognition and culture in comparative perspective, extending your understanding of humans as primates.
-
Palaeoanthropology: The Story of Human Evolution
will develop your understanding of the patterns and processes of human evolution including speciation and adaptation with particular reference to the hominin fossil record.
-
Primate Societies
allows you to develop your understanding of evolutionary biology as applied to primates, including an understanding of how colonial legacies affect the study of primates today.
-
Reading the Skeleton
will develop your understanding of human skeletal morphology and diversity, providing a critical awareness of the ethical issues surrounding the collection and curation of human remains.
-
Research Project Design
builds upon previous methods training by providing the skills necessary to develop independent dissertation projects.
Optional modules
-
In recent years, optional modules have included: Biology, Culture and SocietyReading EthnographyAnthropology of the BodyCritical Global HealthHealth and InequalitySex, Reproduction and HealthMarkets and ExchangeRelations and BelongingRitual, Religion and BeliefPower and InequalityEnvironment, Climate and the Anthropocene.
Core modules
-
Anthropology Field Course
You will also take part in our Anthropology Field Course module, an intensive 7-day fieldwork experience at one of the department’s residential field schools, or online as a Virtual Field Course.
-
Dissertation
In your final year, you will design and carry out your own on a topic of your choice, which will develop your independent research and project management skills.
Optional modules
-
In recent years, optional modules have included: Human Reproductive EcologyEvolution of CooperationComparative Cognition and CultureEvolution of MusicTechnological PrimatesPrimates in PerilPrimates, Predators and the Ecology of FearForensic AnthropologyHomo narrans: Evolutionary Anthropology of FictionPalaeoanthropology and Palaeoecology
Learning
Your learning will be supported by a variety of teaching formats, such as lectures and smaller-group teaching in seminars and practical classes. Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning and transferable skills, with a particular focus on designing and carrying out research projects. At the start of your final year, you will visit one of our residential field schools (or a virtual alternative) to put your anthropological research skills into practice. The Anthropology Department has a skeletal collection, a fossil cast collection, a material culture collection and other practical resources that are used in relevant modules. You may also be able to use these independently to supplement your learning or for project work.Assessment
We use a wide range of assessments designed to provide training in a variety of anthropological and broader transferable skills, including not only 'traditional' essays and exams but also research projects, popular academic writing and outreach activities. In your final year you will have the chance to design and carry out your own anthropological research project for your dissertation, with support and guidance from your supervisor.Entry requirements
Fees & Funding
Choose which fees you want to see:
Home / Island students
£9,535 per year
International / EU Students
£27,000 per year
Home / Island students
Part Time - £ per year
International / EU Students
Part Time - £ per year
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
Find out moreDepartment Information
-
Join a dynamic and welcoming Department that takes a distinctly broad-based approach to the study of humanity. We are among the largest Anthropology departments in the UK with around 120 students in each year group, and one of the few to combine social, biological and medical aspects of anthropology. You can choose from one of three single-honours programmes or combine Anthropology with Sociology, Psychology or Archaeology as a joint-honours degree. This gives you the chance to explore humanity from multiple perspectives, covering our species' evolution over millions of years up to the present day diversity of human societies. Our lecturers are passionate, dedicated teachers and researchers, and our modules cover numerous areas that overlap with other subjects, including culture, environmental issues, evolution, genetics, forensics, literature, health, music, politics, primate behaviour, religion, reproduction, skeletal anatomy and many others still. And with a research-led approach, our teaching is constantly evolving to incorporate the latest findings into the curriculum. Our flexible courses offer the opportunity both to explore the breadth of Anthropology and to specialise in one of our sub-disciplinary areas. We offer a residential field course to all our undergraduate students (as well as a virtual alternative), providing hands-on experience of varied anthropological methods in practice. For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
We are based in the Dawson Building, conveniently located next to the main library, and close to lots of other departments and university services. We have a common room which students are welcome to use for studying and socialising. The Department’s research facilities include skeletal, fossil cast and material culture collections available for students to use as part of their learning activities and research projects. We also house a number of research centres and laboratories including an Infancy and Sleep Centre, a Physical Activity Lab and an Ecology and Endocrinology Laboratory which is equipped to analyse human samples.
-
Material culture collectionThe department houses an extensive collection of material culture objects from around the world which are actively used in both research and teaching of ethnography.
-
Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre
The centre is home to a team of researchers who investigate the behaviour and physiology of infant, child and adult sleep, as well as night-time parenting, infant feeding, and other infant and child health issues.
-
Anthropology field station in South Africa
Based within the Soutpansberg Mountains of South Africa, this unique resource provides office facilities, living space, and accommodation for students, staff, and volunteers engaged in research on the project.
Find out more -
Career Opportunities
Of those students who graduated in 2021-22
80%
81%
£26,750
HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk
Employability
More Information
With an anthropology degree our students acquire a fascinating and useful knowledge base, as well as an unusual mix of intellectual and practical skills. Employers worldwide are looking for this combination of skills and particularly so where creativity, curiosity and the ability to understand human culture and society are at a premium.
Your next steps
Visit an Open Day
When deciding on whether Durham is right for you we recommend to visit us during an Open Day, where you can find out about everything we offer.
Get a prospectus
Be informed. Get your personalised prospectus in just a few clicks.
Discover student life at Durham
See what student life in Durham is all about from those who know it best - our students
