Anthropology, BSc (Hons)

Our BSc Anthropology degree provides a comprehensive exploration of humanity, from evolutionary origins to contemporary cultural and behavioural diversity. It integrates biological anthropology with social anthropology and interdisciplinary health perspectives, offering insights into human relations with other species. In the first year, students gain foundational knowledge through core modules on global cultures, human evolution, anthropological history, research methods, and the interplay of health and society. The second year deepens understanding of biological and evolutionary topics via field trips, while the final year involves independent research for a dissertation and a residential or virtual field course.Throughout the programme, assessments include essays, exams, research projects, and outreach activities to build transferable skills. Students may extend their studies to four years by adding a placement or year abroad, preparing them for professional or postgraduate pursuits.

Year 1 In the first year, all of our single honours Anthropology students take the same core modules. This provides an introduction to diverse areas of anthropology, allowing for more specialisation in the second and third years. Core modules: People and Cultures provides an introduction to the people and cultures of the world from a social anthropological perspective and prepares you for further critical study of the discipline. Human Evolution and Diversity introduces how humans evolved over the past few million years to become the unique species we are today, rich in biological and cultural diversity. We also cover our relationships with extinct hominins and our closest primate relatives. Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology provides an overview of the history of anthropology, including the major theoretical developments and debates, and how these affect the practice of anthropology today. Doing Anthropological Research provides hands-on training in anthropological research methods, both quantitative and qualitative. This module will prepare you for future research projects including fieldwork and your dissertation, and allow you to develop highly transferable research skills. Health, Illness and Society promotes the value of a multidisciplinary perspective to the study of health and illness, and gives insight into how social, cultural, biological and evolutionary factors interact in the study of health and disease. You will learn about the potential for medical anthropology and evolutionary medicine to contribute to health policy and planning in diverse human societies.