Durham University
Anthropology and Archaeology BA (Hons)
Durham University

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 60 graduates of Anthropology and Archaeology BA (Hons) and other courses in Anthropology at Durham University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Anthropology.

Overall student satisfaction
75 /100
60 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Anthropology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Anthropology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26500 £27000 £33000
25-75 percentile range £22000 - £32500 £21000 - £32000 £23000 - £45500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Anthropology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £23516 £21086 £25186
25-75 percentile range £20611 - £27195 £15914 - £26736 £19208 - £32667

Course Description

Course details

Studying the anthropology of health will expand your world, bringing together biological and evolutionary research into human genetics and physiology with comparative ethnographic approaches to the social, political, ideological and ecological contexts that shape health risks and treatments.

This degree will equip you with the skills to critically debate healthcare from an interdisciplinary anthropological perspective that draws together local, regional and international scales of analysis.

In the first year, you will receive a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of anthropology in the broadest sense, addressing the core disciplines of social, biological and health anthropology.

In your second year, you will begin to specialise increasingly in the anthropology of health while still being able to maintain a broader, more integrative approach if you wish.

In your final year, you will design and carry out your own dissertation project and take part in our Field Course Module. The Field Course offers an intensive 7-day experience at one of several European destinations, or online as part of our Virtual Field Course.

As you move through your degree, you will shift from being a consumer to a generator of knowledge, ready for professional or postgraduate life. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.

Course Structure

Year 1

Core modules:

Peoples and Cultures

Human Evolution and Diversity

Being Human

Doing Anthropological Research

Health, Illness and Society

Year 2

Core modules:

Anthropological Research Methods

Research Project Design

Global Health and Disease

Sex, Reproduction and Love

Examples of optional modules:

Biology, Culture and Society

Reading Ethnography

Kinship and Religion

Politics and Economics

Evolution, Variation and Adaptation

Our Place in Nature

Environment, Climate and the Anthropocene.

Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement year or year abroad)

In your final year, you will design and carry out your own Dissertation which will develop your skills of independent research and project management by pursuing a substantial research project in a topic of your choice. The 12,000-word dissertation is worth one third of your final year credits.

You will also take part in our Anthropology Field Course module. The Field Course offers an intensive 7 day fieldwork experience at one of the department’s residential field schools, or online as a virtual Field Course.

Examples of optional modules:

Anthropology of Ethics and Morality

Anthropological Skills for Climate Change Survival

Power and Governance

Anthropology of Physical Activity for Health

Evolutionary Medicine: Maternal and Infant Health

Comparative Cognition and Culture

Primates in Peril

Forensic Anthropology

Palaeoanthropology and Palaeoecology

Anthropology of the Body

Food Security, Nutrition, and Sustainable Livelihoods.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Anthropology and Archaeology BA (Hons) at Durham University

32% Process, plant and machine operatives
10% Business and public service associate professionals
6% Engineering professionals
6% Skilled trades occupations
4% Elementary occupations
4% Information Technology Professionals
4% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
4% Artistic, literary and media occupations
3% Caring personal services
3% Sales occupations

Grading & Study Time

Assessment on the BA (Hons) Anthropology and Archaeology degree varies by module, but may include written examinations, podcasts, museum displays and outreach activities, coursework in the form of essays or research projects, and presentations.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Anthropology and Archaeology, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Anthropology and Archaeology BA (Hons)

Ireland £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
EU £23750 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
International £23750 year 1

Additional fee information

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of Durham University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Durham University in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #7 
    • #8 
    Anthropology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #10 
    Anthropology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #6 
    • #23 
    Anthropology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #23 
    • #166 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

See all 37 university rankings of Durham University

About Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University (DU) is located in the cathedral city of Durham, North East England. DU takes pride in having numerous subject fields ranked among the best in the world according to QS, as well as having an exceptionally large course catalogue without compromising the quality that students can expect. Apart from the impressive academic opportunities on offer, students can also participate in numerous sports, music, and art-based extracurricular activities on-site.

List of 211 Bachelor and Master Courses from Durham University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Durham University

undergraduates:
17140
postgraduates:
4365
Total:
21505
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Where is this programme taught

Durham City
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College allocation pending
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