BA Anthropology
About this course
BA (Hons) Anthropology is an undergraduate degree in social anthropology, examining human social life and cultural diversity across the world. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Critical & Analytical Thinking and a Global & Comparative Perspective. The degree includes a compulsory final-year Dissertation in which students design their own research project, and a compulsory Anthropology Field Course delivered through a residential or virtual field school. Optional modules are offered in each year, and no prior study of scientific subjects is required for entry. The first year establishes foundations across the discipline through People and Cultures, Human Evolution and Diversity, Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology, and Doing Anthropological Research. Being Human covers the history and major theoretical developments of the discipline, while Doing Anthropological Research provides hands-on training in both quantitative and qualitative methods. The second year moves into advanced skills and thematic study, with Research Skills and Project Design preparing students for dissertation research, alongside Ritual, Religion and Belief, Power and Inequality, and Applying Anthropology. Ritual, Religion and Belief examines belief systems, ritual practice and world religions across cultures; Power and Inequality covers state formations, human rights and violence; Applying Anthropology links anthropological knowledge to professional contexts. The final year centres on the compulsory Dissertation and the Anthropology Field Course. Optional modules include Global Health & Inequality, Primate Societies and Human Minds, Exhibiting Anthropology, and Capitalism in Ruins.
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%: 150 offers from 150 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
- 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
- Example optional modules
- Research Skills and Project Design
- Ritual, Religion and Belonging
- Power and Inequality
- Applying Anthropology
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Anthropology Field Course
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA 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 BA 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 BA 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 BA 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 BA Anthropology at Durham University?
100% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 150 offers from 150 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA 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 BA Anthropology at Durham University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.