BA Anthropology and Archaeology
About this course
BA (Hons) Anthropology and Archaeology is a joint honours degree pairing archaeological work on past communities with anthropological study of human societies. Core topics include research methods and fieldwork. The course concludes with a compulsory dissertation in which students carry out a research project of their own design, and the later years offer residential field courses and advanced professional training. The first year lays foundations through Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology, Doing Anthropological Research, Discovering World Prehistory and Introduction to Archaeological Methods, covering theory, research methods, world prehistory and archaeological technique. Optional first-year choices include Human Evolution and Diversity, Health, Illness and Society and Archaeology in Britain. The second year turns to Debating Anthropology and Archaeology, a compulsory module bringing the two disciplines together ahead of independent research, with optional choices such as Primate Societies and Human Minds, Ritual, Religion and Belief and Prehistoric Europe: From Foragers to State Formation. The third year is anchored by the compulsory Dissertation, an independent research project of the student's design spanning anthropology, archaeology or both. Optional modules such as Forensic Anthropology, Palaeoanthropology and Palaeoecology and Interpreting Heritage allow further specialisation, alongside residential field courses and advanced professional training.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB IB: 35 with 665 in higher level subjects.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 88%: 75 offers from 85 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 6 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 91%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 22 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 20%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 85 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 17%
- North West: 11%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 33%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology
- Doing Anthropological Research
- Discovering World Prehistory
- Introduction to Archaeological Methods
- Example optional modules
- Debating Anthropology and Archaeology
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Anthropology and Archaeology at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £39,000. The £29,000 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for Anthropology.
What do graduates of BA Anthropology and Archaeology at Durham University do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Anthropology and Archaeology at Durham University?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Anthropology and Archaeology at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 157 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Anthropology and Archaeology at Durham University?
88% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 75 offers from 85 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Anthropology and Archaeology at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Anthropology and Archaeology at Durham University?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.