BSc
Psychology and Anthropology BSc (Hons)
Explore humanity from both psychological and anthropological perspectives to understand our species at an individual and social level.
How to apply Apply via UCAS
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BSc
UCAS Code
CL86
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAA
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £33,250 per year
Overview
This British Psychological Society accredited degree explores what it means to be human, including our relationship to other species. You will be taught by staff who are leading researchers in their fields, including those with expertise in both subjects. In Psychology, you will study cognitive, biological, social and developmental perspectives. In Anthropology, you will use primarily evolutionary and biological perspectives to inquire into the mind and behaviour of past and present human and primate populations. You will learn how Anthropology and Psychology provide both complementary and contrasting perspectives, plus the various quantitative and qualitative research methods used in both disciplines. The interface of Anthropology and Psychology explicitly integrates intercultural, international and global issues. For example, both subjects address issues of cross-cultural diversity and representation in research.
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BSc
UCAS Code
CL86
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAA
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £33,250 per year
What you'll study
In the first year, the core modules will give you a broad introduction to key methods, knowledge and theories in Anthropology and Psychology. The second year continues to build on project design and research skills, broadens theory and topical knowledge (ensuring British Psychological Society accreditation), and explores the interface between Psychology and Anthropology. The third year includes a dissertation that allows a deep exploration of a specific interdisciplinary research area, and the final Psychology module required for BPS accreditation.
Core modules
-
Doing Anthropological Research
provides a grounding in research methods used in both biological and sociocultural anthropology. This will prepare you for further research, both quantitative and qualitative, and ensure you develop academic and transferable skills for your degree and beyond.
-
Human Evolution and Diversity
introduces the biological basis of human diversity and the evolutionary history of our species. The module provides key concepts in evolutionary theory, human diversity, palaeoanthropology and primatology which are essential for an evolutionary and biologically-informed understanding of modern human psychology and behaviour.
-
Introduction to Psychological Research
provides an introduction to key research methods and statistical techniques used in psychology.
Optional modules
-
In recent years, optional modules have included: Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of AnthropologyPeople and CulturesHealth, Illness and SocietyIntroduction to Psychology.
Core modules
-
Advanced Psychological Research
will develop your experimental design and statistics knowledge to fulfil the requirements for a British Psychological Society recognised degree in Psychology. You will also discuss psychological research in a tutorial context and develop skills in studying classic papers in psychology.
-
Cognitive and Biological Psychology
develops an understanding of theoretical, methodological and empirical approaches in cognitive and biological psychology, with particular emphasis on visual neuroscience and visual cognition.
-
Conceptual Issues in Psychology and Anthropology
provides an advanced understanding of the relationship between psychological and anthropological approaches. This module will develop your skills in researching and communicating a range of contemporary and conceptual issues, and prepare you for the integrated psychology and anthropology dissertation.
-
Mind and Culture
covers the evolution of human cognition and culture in comparative perspective, extending your understanding of humans as primates.
-
Primate Societies
allows you to develop your understanding of the evolution of primate social life, helping you understand human behaviour in a wider biological context.
-
Research Project Design
builds upon previous methods training by providing the skills necessary to develop independent research projects.
-
Social and Developmental Psychology
provides a broad knowledge and understanding of research and theory in some of the key areas of developmental psychology and examines the contribution that social psychology has made to an understanding of the relations between people and social structures.
Optional modules
-
In recent years, optional modules have included: Reading the SkeletonPalaeoanthropology: The Story of Human EvolutionSex, Reproduction and HealthAnthropology of the BodyCritical Global HealthHealth and InequalityAnthropological Research Methods in ActionEnvironment, Climate and the Anthropocene.
Core modules
-
Differential and Clinical Psychology
is the final module required for British Psychological Society accreditation. The module develops knowledge and understanding of theory and research in differential psychology, the study of psychological differences and similarities between people and understanding of theory and research in atypical and clinical psychology.
-
Dissertation
A substantial research project in an interdisciplinary psychology and anthropology topic of your choice, allows a deep, independently driven exploration of a specific research area.
Optional modules
-
In recent years, optional modules have included: Anthropology of Physical Activity for HealthEvolutionary Medicine: Maternal and Infant HealthEvolution of CooperationCultural Evolution of MusicPrimates in PerilForensic AnthropologyPalaeoanthropology and PalaeoecologyClinical NeuropsychologyPsychology in the WorkplaceThe Visual BrainCriminological PsychologyReward and Addiction.
Learning
As a Psychology and Anthropology student, you will learn through a variety of teaching formats, such as lectures and smaller-group teaching in seminars, workshops and practical classes. All teaching is supported by independent learning outside of classes. Your module options span a diverse range of subjects including highly applied topics such as behavioural science, neurodiversity and mental health. Small group seminars guide your learning of lecture-based material and that obtained through independent study by promoting discussions and critical appraisal, developing your ability to organise and present information both orally and in a variety of written formats. Workshops and practical classes enable you to gain first-hand experience of highly transferable research skills, and to learn and apply associated computational and statistical techniques.Assessment
We use a diverse range of assessment formats including not only 'traditional' essays and exams but also those designed to assess more transferable skills such as presentations, research projects, popular science articles and outreach activities. Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on practical and transferable skills, with a particular focus on learning how to carry out your own research. In your final year you will design and carry out your own interdisciplinary research project combining approaches in psychology and anthropology.Entry requirements
Fees & Funding
Choose which fees you want to see:
Home / Island students
£9,535 per year
International / EU Students
£33,250 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 more
Scholarships and Bursaries
One unique thing about studying Anthropology in Durham is that, through your degree, you will be taught different branches of anthropology that include the health, biological, and social side of this field, allowing you to obtain a well-rounded degree that places great focus on the practical side of anthropology.
Department 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 -
-
Psychology is concerned with understanding the mind and human behaviour. You will investigate the processes that underpin the thoughts, feelings and motivations behind our actions. Learning from academics with real enthusiasm for their subject, you will explore topics such as social behaviour, childhood development and cognitive neuroscience. Our psychology degrees offer a genuinely research-led education. While learning the core principles of psychology, you will have the opportunity to work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will have access to cutting-edge technologies, including the Department’s clinical and experimental facilities which include motion capture, eye tracking and biophysical recording laboratories. Our innovative approach to learning takes us beyond the traditional student-lecturer dynamic. Through a combination of practical teaching sessions, an optional placement module, and even an employability retreat we actively prepare you for working life. The third year includes a research project, and you can gain additional lab-based experience with our popular Research Assistant Scheme. You can also apply for a placement year or year abroad. Students who graduate with a 2.1 or higher are accredited by the BPS as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership – the first step towards a career as a psychologist. For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
Guided by experts in the field, you will have access to a range of world-leading clinical and experimental facilities. This hands-on experience brings theory to life and helps you gain a deeper understanding of the mind and behaviour. Facilities in the Department of Psychology include body scanners with integrated eye tracking, molecular psychology suites, VR suites with motion capture and mock environments for ecologically valid research. You will be ideally located in a dedicated psychology learning space, adjacent to many university departments and services, and within walking distance of Durham’s historic centre.
-
Peer Assisted Scheme (PASS)
PASS is an entirely voluntary, student-driven peer support programme where students get together in an active, positive, friendly, and collaborative environment to supplement learning delivered by lecturers.
-
fMRI
We have state-of-the-art equipment for structural and functional MRI studies, including a 3T Whole Body MRI System with integrated eye tracking and pupillometry for cutting edge functional imaging and perception studies.
-
Careers Support
An academic advisor, who will stay with you across your 3-year degree and help you consider careers options, and provide references for you.
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
