Department of Anthropology | BA Anthropology (with Foundation Year)

BA Anthropology (with Foundation Year) at Durham University

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Social Anthropology is the study of the people of the world and how they live. Understanding our social and cultural diversity helps us address major issues affecting our existence today.

Our BA Anthropology degree is designed to give you a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of Social Anthropology, in the context of a broad approach to the subject including Biological Anthropology as well as Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Health.

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 and Biological Anthropology as well as Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Health.

In your second year, you will develop a deeper and more complex grasp of Social Anthropology and continue to gain ‘hands-on’ experience of conducting research through a series of local field trips and activities.

In your final year, you will design and carry out your own research project for your dissertation and take part in our residential Field Course module, 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.

With a degree in Anthropology, you will be equipped with a diverse and practical knowledge base, including highly transferable skills in research and communication. Employers worldwide value this skill set, particularly where creativity, curiosity and the ability to understand human diversity are at a premium.

Our graduates apply their knowledge directly in fields as diverse as health, community work, conservation, education, international development, culture, and heritage. Many progress into careers that require a broad understanding of human society and behaviour as well as the interpersonal, organisational, problem solving and independent thinking skills that come with the discipline. Such careers include advertising, publishing, journalism, teaching, human resource management, law, consultancy and marketing.

A significant number of graduates progress onto higher level study with many pursuing further research in anthropology or other fields.

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