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): £ per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £ per year
Overview
This British Psychological Society (BPS) 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 Psychology and Anthropology. In Psychology, you will study cognitive, biological, social and developmental perspectives. In Anthropology, you will 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, and receive training in 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): £ per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £ per year
What you'll study
In the first year, core modules will provide a broad introduction to key methods, knowledge and theories in Anthropology and Psychology. In the second year, you'll take more specialised modules in both Anthropology and Psychology, as well as more advanced research methods training to help prepare you for your final year dissertation. The third year includes a dissertation that allows a deep exploration of a specific interdisciplinary research area, the final Psychology module required for BPS accreditation, and a choice of specialised modules from both Anthropology and Psychology. You may also have the option to take the residential Anthropology Field Course module, depending on your second year choices.
Core modules
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Doing Anthropological Research
provides hands-on training in anthropological research methods, both quantitative and qualitative. This module will prepare you for future research projects and allow you to develop highly transferable research skills.
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Human Evolution and Diversity
introduces how humans evolved over the past 7 million years to become the unique species we are today, rich in biological and cultural diversity.
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Introduction to Psychological Research
provides an introduction to key research methods and statistical techniques used in psychology.
Optional modules
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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 1Introduction to Psychology 2A module offered by the University's Centre for Foreign Language Study
Core modules
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Advanced Psychological Research
for Non-Single Hons 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.
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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.
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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.
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Mind and Culture
covers the evolution of human cognition and culture in comparative perspective, extending your understanding of humans as primates.
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Palaeoanthropology: The Story of Human Evolution
develops your understanding of human evolution including speciation and adaptation with particular reference to the hominin fossil record.
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Research Project Design
builds upon previous methods training by providing the skills necessary to develop independent research projects, helping to plan ahead for the final year dissertation.
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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
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In recent years optional modules have included: Primate SocietiesReading the SkeletonAnthropological Research Methods in ActionCritical Global HealthSex, Reproduction and HealthHealth and IneqaulityAnthropology of the Body
Core modules
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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.
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Dissertation
A substantial research project in an interdisciplinary psychology and anthropology topic of your choice, allowing for a deep, independently driven exploration of a specific research area.
Optional modules
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Students have a choice of optional modules from other areas of psychology and anthropology, depending on level two choices. These may include: Physical Activity for HealthHuman Reproductive EcologySocial Anthropology of HormonesForensic AnthropologyClinical NeuropsychologyPsychology of Equality, Diversity and InclusivityPsychology of Sex and GenderCurrent Issues in Mental HealthSensory and Social Processing in Autismn
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, including computing and statistical analysis.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 from Psychology and Anthropology.Entry requirements
Fees & Funding
Choose which fees you want to see:
Home / Island students
£ per year
International / EU Students
£ 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
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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 110 students in each year group, and one of the few to combine social, biological and medical aspects of Anthropology. 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. You can choose from one of three single-honours programmes or combine Anthropology with Sociology, Psychology or Archaeology as a joint-honours degree. You can also study Anthropology as part of an even broader degree programme including Liberal Arts, Natural Sciences or Combined Honours in Social Sciences. Since Anthropology is such a broad subject, it works just as well as a single honours programme or combined with other subjects. Our lecturers are passionate, dedicated teachers and researchers, and our modules cover a huge diversity of topics, 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. 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.
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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.
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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.
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Find out more -
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Psychology is concerned with understanding the brain, the mind and behaviour. 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 research-led education, offering you the opportunity to work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will have access to the department’s cutting-edge facilities which include motion capture, neuroimaging, eye tracking and biophysical recording laboratories. Our innovative approach to learning includes a combination of lectures, practical teaching sessions, and small-group tutorials, in addition to optional modules focused on careers and placements in psychology. In the final year of our program/degree, you complete a research project under the supervision of an academic. Furthermore, you can gain additional research 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. Please see the following video that looks closer at studying psychology at Durham: Look Closer at our Department of Psychology For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
You will be ideally located in a dedicated psychology learning space, adjacent to many university departments and services on the main University campus, and within walking distance of Durham’s historic centre.
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World-leading clinical and experimental facilities
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, neuroimaging, VR suites with motion capture and mock environments for ecologically valid research.
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Organisation collaborations
We have collaborations with many external companies and groups - everything from bonobo sanctuaries, to the North East Autism Society, Vicon Movement Systems, and NHS
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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.
Find out more -
Career Opportunities
Of those UK/EU students who graduated in 2022/23:
87%
97%
£32,500
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.
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