Anthropology

The Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at the University of Birmingham offers students a comprehensive exploration of human societies, cultures, and biological variations across time and geography. This interdisciplinary programme is designed to provide a deep understanding of what it means to be human, combining insights from archaeology, social anthropology, biological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Students engage with current theoretical debates and empirical research methods to analyze the diversity of human experiences and the common threads that bind us across different cultural contexts.

Throughout the degree, students will explore topics such as human evolution, prehistoric archaeology, contemporary social issues, cultural practices, language, and the ways in which human societies adapt to environmental changes. The programme encourages critical thinking and active engagement, equipping students with essential skills in research, analysis, and communication. Practical components, including laboratory work, fieldwork, and data analysis, complement theoretical learning, providing students with valuable hands-on experience relevant to careers in academia, museums, cultural organizations, development agencies, and more.

The course structure allows for flexibility and specialization, enabling students to tailor their studies according to their interests, whether in biological or social aspects of anthropology. Close supervision by expert staff ensures personalized academic support, fostering intellectual growth and research proficiency. The university also emphasizes employability and prepares students for various career paths through guest lectures, industry partnerships, and opportunities for field research.

Graduates from the programme leave with a well-rounded understanding of human history and diversity, along with practical skills applicable in various professional contexts. The programme also provides a solid foundation for those wishing to pursue postgraduate study in anthropology or related disciplines. By combining academic rigor with real-world relevance, the Anthropology programme at Birmingham aims to cultivate informed, culturally aware, and ethically responsible practitioners who can contribute meaningfully to understanding and addressing global challenges facing humanity today.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 3805 Year (EEA)
• EUR 12790 Year (Non-EEA)

Home/EU £3,375; International £11,340

• English

Course Content

In this programme, you study half of your modules (60 credits) in Anthropology and half in your other subject.

First Year

Anthropology: In your first year you take three compulsory modules. Focus on Studying Societies is concerned with core study skills, taking you through all the steps of researching, planning and editing an essay, and enabling you to pursue a group investigation and present your findings orally. Thinking Anthropologically takes a series of core questions (e.g. What is work? What is dirt?) and shows how anthropologists study societies around the world, explaining how people can think very differently about questions that might initially appear simple or obvious. African Societies allows students to see how core anthropological terms have been applied to specific societies in order to explain social structures, behaviours and beliefs.

Second year

Anthropology: In this year you take Theory, Ethnography and Research (40 credits). This module explains the history of anthropology and its major theories. It finishes with an ethnographic project in which students behave like anthropologists, and engage in close observation and analysis of the social behaviour around them. In addition, students choose 20 credits of African Studies optional modules that have an anthropological focus.

Third year

Anthropology: In your third year, you may write a Dissertation (10,000 words, 40 credits) or take an Independent Study (5,000 words, 20 credits). However, if you are undertaking independent research on the other side of your degree programme, we allow you to choose mainly taught modules in Anthropology, so as to guarantee a reasonable amount of contact time.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 80(Grade A) TOEFL iBT® test : 93

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Number of A levels required: 3

Typical offer: ABB-BBB

International Baccalaureate: 32-34 points

Additional information:

Typical offer grades are for guidance only, and will depend on the subjects you are combining. Please read the entries for both subjects. Where there is a disparity between the typical offer for Subject A and the typical offer for Subject B, the higher offer should be taken as the usual offer for the combination of the two
Other qualifications are considered.

Applicants are expected to have an interest in various cultures, both at home and abroad, rather than any detailed knowledge.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Birmingham.

The Anthropology program at the University of Birmingham offers a comprehensive exploration of human societies, cultures, and biological diversity. This interdisciplinary degree combines insights from social anthropology, biological anthropology, and archaeological sciences, providing students with a well-rounded understanding of what it means to be human. The program is designed to develop key analytical and research skills, enabling students to critically evaluate cultural practices, social structures, and evolutionary processes across different contexts and periods. Students will have the opportunity to study a wide range of topics including kinship, religion, politics, economic systems, language, archaeology, and human evolution. The curriculum includes both theoretical frameworks and practical research techniques, preparing graduates for careers in academia, heritage management, international development, or museum work.

Throughout the course, students are encouraged to engage in ethnographic fieldwork, archaeological excavation projects, and laboratory analyses, fostering hands-on learning and real-world experience. The program is supported by a distinguished faculty with expertise in numerous anthropological disciplines, offering mentorship and guidance on individual research projects. The university also provides access to state-of-the-art laboratories, collections, and scholarly resources, ensuring students have a rich learning environment. Additionally, the program emphasizes the importance of global perspectives, encouraging students to consider anthropological issues within cultural, political, and ethical contexts worldwide. Graduates of the program often continue their education through postgraduate studies or enter professional fields where anthropological knowledge is valuable. The program’s flexible structure allows students to tailor their studies to their interests, with options for placements and study abroad opportunities to enhance their educational experience.