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CONTENTS

1. What’s Anthropology?

2. What Anthropology degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto an Anthropology degree?

4. What topics does an Anthropology degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Anthropology?

7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying an Anthropology degree?

8. What do Anthropology graduates earn?

9. What jobs can you get as an Anthropology graduate?

10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

11. Similar subjects to Anthropology

12. Have any questions?

What’s Anthropology?

Anthropology examines the various ways that human beings occupy the world. There are two main branches of the area: social and biological.

Social anthropology – looks at how people live in the contemporary world. It observes what people today do, how they think and how they relate to each other. This helps explain a culture on its own terms and the historical, political, economic and ecological factors that shape it.

Biological anthropology – investigates how humans evolved to have such a diversity of cultures. It compares human behaviour with other primates and analyses archaeological and fossil records to see how life emerged.

Take a look at the university league table for Anthropology. 

What Anthropology degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degree courses in Anthropology include:

Anthropology BA/BSc

The course will give a broad overview of the areas related to Anthropology. This includes the biological, cultural, linguistic and archaeological elements of the subject.

A BA (Bachelor of Arts) course will look more at the social sciences and humanities. A BSc (Bachelor of Science) course will have a more quantitative approach, and use scientific techniques to analyse data.

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Archaeology and Anthropology BA

Are you interested in the remains and artefacts of past civilisations? You can choose an Anthropology course that also focuses on Archaeology. As well as the principles of Anthropology, you’ll develop your archaeological knowledge and skills. For instance, how to examine archaeological evidence, and what cultural heritage management means.

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Forensic Anthropology BSc

You can tailor your course to the area of forensics. You’ll gain an understanding of how anthropological methods can support the identifying and examining of human remains.

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Other options

Many joint honours degrees are available to study. You could combine Anthropology with another subject, such as Law, Ancient History, Geography or a modern language.

Universities also often offer:

• Integrated foundation year
• Integrated master’s year
• Professional placements and research experiences
• Study abroad opportunities:

What do you need to get onto an Anthropology degree?

Must have

Entry requirements for an Anthropology degree range from 104–165 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below.

• A Levels: AAA–BCC
• BTECs: D*D*D*–DDM
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA–BBBB (Advanced Highers: AAB–AA)
• International Baccalaureate: 38–30

Good to have

• Biology at A Level (or equivalent), if your course has a biological or forensic focus
• Work or volunteer experience in any capacity with diverse groups of people. This will build your interpersonal, observational and reflective skills
• Identified topics of particular interest. You could start with the Discover Anthropology website (by the Royal Anthropological Institute)
• Read into the subject – you’ll be able to find reading lists on university websites
• Attended a taster day such as the London Anthropology Day
• Summer schools, if eligible, such as those run by UNIQ or the Sutton Trust

What topics does an Anthropology degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• Anthropological research methods in action
• Cultural representations, beliefs and practices
• Evolution, variation and adaptation
• Forensic human identification
• Health, illness and society
• Human physiology and pharmacology
• Introductory anatomy
• Kinship and religion
• Landscape and ecology
• Politics and economics
• Social analysis and interpretation
• Statistics and experimental design
• The nature of archaeological and anthropological enquiry
• Urbanism and society

See our list of the top 10 archaeological discoveries.

How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed in a variety of ways, depending on the module:

• Essays
• Exams
• Fieldwork diaries or projects
• Lab assessments on biological anthropology courses
• Final-year independent research project or dissertation

Why study Anthropology?

Career-specific skills:

• A deep understanding of human behaviour and society and the factors that influence them
• Intercultural awareness and cultural sensitivity
• Social and biological research skills and methodologies
• Where relevant, archaeological skills such as fieldwork, artefact identification and analysis

Transferable skills:

• Analytical and critical thinking
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Organisation
• Presentation
• Problem solving
• Research

Professional accreditation:

• Degrees with a forensic focus may be accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
• Combinations with archaeology may be accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists

What do Anthropology graduates earn?

Anthropology graduates can expect an entry-level salary of around £18,000–£25,000.

If you enter the Civil Service Fast Stream to train as a government social researcher, you could have a starting salary of £31,000. Your skills could lead to work on diverse projects, from civil society and youth, to transforming farm animal health and welfare. Salaries can reach up to £60,000 for a lead social researcher.

A forensic anthropologist could earn £40,000–£45,000 depending on experience and archaeological fieldwork skills. They often work in organisations that provide support to criminal justice services.

What jobs can you get as an Anthropology graduate?

Anthropology graduates are well suited to work in many roles including:

• Archaeologist
• Charity worker
• Conservation officer
• Humanitarian aid worker
• Journalist
• Market researcher
• Museum curator
• Museum outreach assistant
• Policy advisor
• Public health coordinator
• PR officer
• Social worker
• Solicitor
• University lecturer

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

You can study Anthropology at postgraduate level if you have a first degree in a related subject. Graduates with a good undergraduate degree in social anthropology can often go straight into studying for a PhD. Other Anthropology graduates may study for a master’s in public policy, international development or public health studies.

Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

• Anthrozoology MA/MPhil/PhD
• Biological Anthropology PhD
• Social Anthropology MPhil/MRes/PhD
• Medical Anthropology MSc
• Social Statistics and Demography MPhil/PhD

Similar subjects to Anthropology

If you’re interested in what shapes society, or in biological development, you could consider:

• Archaeology
• Biological Sciences
• Ecology
• Economics
• History
• Politics
• Sociology

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Have any questions?

Get in touch with our experts. Email ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your questions about studying Anthropology. We’ll be happy to hear from you!