BSc Anthropology
About this course
BSc (Hons) Anthropology is an undergraduate degree centred on biological anthropology, examining human evolution, behaviour and culture alongside the anthropological study of society and health. Core topics include research methods and fieldwork. Entry to the course does not require prior study of science subjects, and the final year pairs a compulsory dissertation with an anthropological field course. The first year covers the foundations through Human Evolution and Diversity, People and Cultures, Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology, Doing Anthropological Research, and Health, Illness and Society. Optional modules in that year have included Global Challenges, Decolonising Knowledge and Power, and a language module offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study. The second year applies research skills in Research Skills and Project Design, with skeletal analysis and human evolution in Humans Past and Present, primate societies and cognition in Primate Societies and Human Minds, and links to professional contexts in Applying Anthropology; optional choices have included Global Health & Inequality, Sex, Reproduction and Love, Ritual, Religion and Belonging, and Power & Inequality. In the third year students complete a Dissertation based on their own research design and take the Anthropology Field Course, run as a residential or virtual field school. Optional modules in the final year have included Evolution of Cooperation, Comparative Cognition and Culture, Forensic Anthropology, and Palaeoanthropology and Palaeoecology.
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.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 100%: 70 offers from 70 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 94%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 95%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 25%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 105 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 52%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 6%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Human Evolution and Diversity
- People and Cultures
- Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology
- Doing Anthropological Research
- Health, Illness and Society
- Example optional modules
- Research Skills and Project Design
- Humans Past and Present
- Primate Societies and Human Minds
- Applying Anthropology
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Anthropology Field Course
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Anthropology at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £36,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,000 and £46,500. The £36,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Anthropology.
What do graduates of BSc Anthropology at Durham University do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Anthropology at Durham University?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Anthropology at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 150 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Anthropology at Durham University?
100% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 70 offers from 70 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BSc Anthropology 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 BSc Anthropology at Durham University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.