Anthropology

Course details
Our BA Anthropology degree is designed to give you a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of social anthropology, in the context of a broad approach to the subject including biological 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.
Studying Anthropology at Durham allows you to gain a deep understanding of humanity in all its rich diversity and complexity, helping to navigate the biggest challenges our societies face today.

Why Durham University?
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.
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.
Flexibility; you can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.

Rankings
3rd in the UK Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
5th in the Guardian University Guide 2026
5th in the UK Complete University Guide 2026
Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026

Career Prospects
Employers worldwide value this skill set, particularly where creativity, curiosity and the ability to understand human diversity are at a premium.
Many progress into careers that require a broad understanding of human society and behaviour as well as the interpersonal, organisational, problem solving and independent thinking skills that come with the discipline. Such careers include advertising, publishing, journalism, teaching, human resource management, law, consultancy and marketing.
A significant number of graduates progress onto higher level study with many pursuing further research in anthropology or other fields.

Course Modules

For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.

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.

In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/