Skip to main content

BA Anthropology (L602)

Female student holds up a scrimshaw tusk or boneIn the BA Anthropology single honours degree programme, we offer a range of modules which will engage you with the fascinating discipline of anthropology.

Our BA Anthropology degree focuses on social anthropology in the context of a broad approach to the subject, including elements of biological anthropology as well as interdisciplinary perspectives on health.

Studying social anthropology allows you to investigate pressing questions about humanity, including how communities are responding to current challenges such as economic crises and climate change.

Social anthropology is an extremely broad subject overlapping with many others including sociology, politics, history, economics and social geography. An anthropology degree equips you with many transferable skills including designing research projects, handling data ethically and communicating sensitively across language and cultural barriers.

You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four and expanding your experience to complement your anthropological training.

 

Course Structure

The following information provides a list of core modules for each year of study and is indicative of the range of subjects covered by the course. Further detail can be found on the Apply for BA Anthropology page:

Year One

  • People and Cultures
  • Human Evolution and Diversity
  • Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology
  • Doing Anthropological Research
  • Health, Illness and Society
  • Plus optional modules provided by other academic departments

Year Two

  • Anthropological Research Methods in Action
  • Research Project Design
  • Biology, Culture & Society
  • Markets and Exchange
  • Relations and Belonging
  • Ritual, Religion and Belief
  • Power and Inequality
  • Plus a choice of optional modules covering subjects as diverse as Health, Inequality, Culture, Primate Society, Evolution and more.

Year Three

  • Dissertation
  • Anthropology Field Course
  • Plus a choice of optional modules

Additional pathways include the possibility to complete a year abroad or a placement during year two and extending your studies to a fourth year.

 

Students looking at a small model skeleton

Find out more and apply

See more about the course structure, learning, assessment and entry requirements for BA Anthropology.

Apply for this course Back to Undergraduate Anthropology Courses
Visitors at the open day in library square

Come and talk to us

When deciding on whether Durham Anthropology is right for you we recommend you think about all we have to offer including our colleges, sports, theatre, music and the support we can offer. You can find out about everything we do at our Open Days.

Open Days and Visits
four students walking talking to each other

Widening Participation

Going to university is a major decision, and we are dedicated to supporting applicants from minority backgrounds, or who are among the first in their family to go to university.

Learn more about how we support our students
Group of students sat at a table

International Students

Durham is a truly world-class university with a long history of welcoming students and academics from all over the globe. We are one of the best in the world for Anthropology.

Further information for International Students
2 students sitting on a bench chatting

Student Life

It's not all about studying. Our students tell it like it is alongside information about student support and our active student-led Anthropology Society (AnthSoc). Join us here at Durham for an amazing experience.

Student Life at Durham Anthropology Fieldwork
Question mark drawn in condensation on a window

Anthropology FAQs

Have a query Anthropology or Durham? See our frequently asked questions. Or drop us a message if you still need to know something.

Common questions

Get in touch

Contact us to find out more about undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities in our Department.

Department of Anthropology

Durham University
Dawson Building
South Road
Durham, DH1 3LE

 

Be social. Be informed. Be a part of Durham Anthropology.

Blue social media icon for InstagramBlue social media icon for YouTubeBlue social media icon for Twitter XBlue social media icon for FacebookBlue social media icon for BlueskyBlue social media icon for Linktree