Undergraduate Study

Anthropology at Durham University

Anthropology is the study of all aspects of humanity, from our evolutionary origins to our extraordinary social and cultural diversity. The Department of Anthropology at Durham University is one of the largest in the UK, with 40 academic staff spread across two campuses. Unlike other anthropology departments, which often specialise in just one area of anthropology, Durham anthropology covers all aspects of anthropology: evolutionary/biological anthropology, social anthropology, and medical anthropology.

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Why choose anthropology at Durham University?

• One of the largest departments in the country, with 40 staff conducting cutting-edge anthropological research and teaching
• We offer modules and supervision in social, evolutionary and medical anthropology
• Teaching is research-led, with students taught by world-class researchers: in the last government Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), Durham was ranked 2nd in the UK for volume of research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’
• Ranked 6th overall in the Complete University Guide 2013 for Anthropology programmes, and joint 2nd for Graduate Prospects
• 86% of students are satisfied with the course and 88% are satisfied with teaching (Guardian University Guide 2013)
• One of the best anthropology departments for career prospects and employability
• Study abroad opportunities via the Erasmus programme
• World-class facilities including the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, the Bilsborough Laboratory for Biological Anthropology, the Durham Ecology and Endocrinology Laboratory, and the only ethnographic collection in the North East that is actively acquiring objects
• Small group tutorials and academic advisors maintain close student-staff interaction

Our range of degree programmes allow students to specialise in a particular area of study, although students on any programme can take advantage of the breadth of expertise found in the department. The single and joint BA (Hons) programmes are taught primarily at Durham City campus, and the various BSc (Hons) and MAnth programmes in Anthropology and in Health and Human Sciences are taught primarily at Queen’s Campus. For further details of the degree programmes click on the links below, and click here for details of how to apply.

BA (Hons) Anthropology

Covers a broad range of social and biological anthropology topics, providing a holistic understanding of what it means to be human.

BSc (Hons) Anthropology

Covers a broad range of biological, social and medical anthropology topics, with a more scientific and biological focus.

MAnth (Hons) Master of Anthropology

An integrated 4-year masters programme combining the BSc Anthropology course with a fourth year extended research project conducted under the supervision of a dedicated member of staff.

BSc (Hons) Health and Human Sciences

Draws on social anthropology, biology, psychology and medicine to develop a deeper understanding of the local and global interrelationships between health, welfare and contemporary issues.

MAnth (Hons) Master of Anthropology (Health and Well-Being)

An integrated 4-year masters programme combining the BSc Health and Human Sciences course with a fourth year extended research project conducted under the supervision of a dedicated member of staff.

BA (Hons) Anthropology and Archaeology

A joint programme involving modules from the BA Anthropology and BA Archaeology degrees.

BA (Hons) Anthropology and Sociology

A joint programme involving modules from the BA Anthropology and BA Sociology degrees.

Student Testimonials

Want to know what its like to study at Durham City? Watch this short film about Durham city-based anthropology programmes.

Want to know what its like to study at Queen's Campus? Watch this short film about Queen's Campus-based anthropology programmes