BSc (Hons) Anthropology Bachelor's degree at Durham University
BSc (Hons) Anthropology at Durham University. Rather than approaching the discipline as a fixed body of knowledge to be absorbed, the course treats anthropology as a way of looking at the world: questioning assumptions, comparing lifeways, and examining how people organise their…
About this course
Anthropology L601 - Durham University Skip to main content BSc (Hons) Anthropology BSc (Hons) Anthropology is the study of humanity. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Anthropology is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Durham University, based in Durham Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Anthropology graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 70% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sociology & Social Sciences, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 5 modules
- Human Evolution and DiversityCompulsory
Module details
An introduction to human evolution and diversity, both biological and cultural.
- People and CulturesCompulsory
Module details
An introduction to the peoples and cultures of the world from a social anthropological perspective.
- Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of AnthropologyCompulsory
Module details
An introduction to the history and major theoretical developments of anthropology.
- Doing Anthropological ResearchCompulsory
Module details
Provides hands-on training in anthropological research methods, both quantitative and qualitative.
- Health, Illness and SocietyCompulsory
Module details
An introduction to the anthropological study of health and illness.
Year 2 7 modules
- Anthropological Research Methods in ActionCompulsory
Module details
Provides opportunities to apply anthropological research skills beyond the classroom, including field-based research.
- Research Project DesignCompulsory
Module details
Prepares students for their final year dissertation research project.
- Biology, Culture & SocietyCompulsory
Module details
Introduces students to debates across the traditional boundary between social and biological anthropology.
- Palaeoanthropology: The Story of Human EvolutionCompulsory
Module details
Develops students' understanding of human evolution with an emphasis on the hominin fossil record.
- Primate SocietiesCompulsory
Module details
Develops students' understanding of the evolution of primate societies, as well as how colonial legacies affect the study of primates today.
- Mind and CultureCompulsory
Module details
Develops students' awareness of human and non-human primate cognition and culture from a comparative perspective.
- Reading the SkeletonCompulsory
Module details
Develops students' knowledge of human skeletal morphology and diversity, with a critical awareness of ethical issues surrounding the study of human remains.
Year 3 2 modules
- DissertationCompulsory
Module details
Allows students the chance to carry out an anthropological research project of their own design.
- Anthropology Field CourseCompulsory
Module details
Provides practical experience of conducting anthropological fieldwork through a residential field course (or virtual alternative).
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course is structured to build knowledge and skills progressively over three years. Early study concentrates on core theory, introducing the major concepts and debates that have shaped anthropology as a discipline, alongside training in research and methods, the practical and analytical tools anthropologists use to gather and interpret evidence about societies and cultures. As the course develops, attention turns to applied practice, where theoretical understanding is tested against real-world contexts and questions. Students also choose from specialist options, such as areas of anthropology that align with their particular interests, allowing for a degree of personalisation within the wider programme. A significant component is the independent project, in which students design and carry out a substantial piece of research on a topic of their own choosing, drawing together everything learned across the course. Running throughout is a strand of professional skills, helping students translate academic training into competencies valued beyond the university setting, whether in further study or employment.
Who it's for
This course suits people who are naturally curious about why humans behave, organise, and believe as they do, and who enjoy asking questions that don't always have neat answers. If you find yourself interested in comparing different cultures, questioning why certain social norms exist, or thinking critically about your own assumptions when confronted with unfamiliar customs, anthropology will likely appeal. It also suits those who are comfortable with reading widely, writing analytically, and gradually building an independent research project rather than working from a fixed syllabus alone. A tolerance for ambiguity and complexity helps, as does an openness to fieldwork-style thinking and engaging respectfully with communities and perspectives different from your own. Studying anthropology at Durham will feel like a steady progression: early modules lay theoretical groundwork, and by the later years you'll be shaping your own research questions and pursuing them with increasing independence. It suits students who want a degree that sharpens both critical thinking and practical research skills, rather than one focused narrowly on a single vocational outcome.
Careers & job market
Anthropology graduates leave with strong critical thinking, research, and cross-cultural communication skills that carry across many sectors, though the discipline is not tied to one specific job title. Nationally, across Sociology & Social Sciences courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 55% of those in work are in roles classed as highly skilled. These are national Graduate Outcomes figures for the subject area rather than statistics specific to Durham or to Anthropology alone, and they should be read as a general picture of the labour market rather than a guarantee of any individual outcome. National earnings data (Graduate Outcomes/LEO) for the field shows starting salaries, measured 15 months after graduation, ranging between £23,000 and £30,000. Looking further ahead, national figures show earnings of £20,400–£28,800 after three years, and £24,650–£34,800 after five years. Again, these are national averages across the broader subject field, influenced by many individual factors, not fixed figures tied to this particular course. Nationally, 89% of students in this field continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed their studies, which offers some context on progression through similar courses.
University & format
This is a full-time, three-year BSc (Hons) course delivered in English at Durham University's Durham Campus, leading to a Bachelor's degree with honours. Durham is a public, research-intensive university and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1832 and home to a student body of 19,520. The university was and holds a Silver award in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 for teaching quality. Among students accepted onto courses at Durham, 85% held A-levels or equivalent qualifications, with the most common UCAS tariff among entrants falling between 144 and 159 points, reflecting typical entrant profiles rather than a stated entry requirement. The course carries UCAS code L601.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 85% |
| Other | 15% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code L601). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Durham University →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Sociology & Social Sciences graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £30,000 | £25,000 – £38,000 | 20 |
| 3 years after | £27,500 | £23,000 – £32,500 | 90 |
| 5 years after | £36,000 | £26,000 – £46,500 | 105 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sociology & social sciences · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Sociology & Social Sciences nationally
National figures for Sociology & Social Sciences graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Sociology & Social Sciences courses at the same study level.
Compared with 751 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 35% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 80; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Sociology & Social Sciences graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Sociology & Social Sciences graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Local authorities
- Charities & NGOs
- Research organisations
- Government & universities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Sociology & Social Sciences graduates.
Sociology AdjunctCommonwealth Of VirginiaSociology ECT - High-Achieving Secondary School in BrightonMarchant RecruitmentHead of Psychology and SociologyTeacherActiveIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.1 out of 10: NSS 88.3% · in work or study 90% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Durham
Social sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Durham Campus
698 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Sociology & Social Sciences right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Durham University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £32,500 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Durham University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Durham University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Durham University
Sociology & Social Sciences at other universities
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BSc (Hons) Anthropology
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.