BSc (Hons) Anthropology

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Clearing

UCAS Code:
J21B
Institution:
B50

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Places available to study this September

We have greater flexibility with our entry requirements during Clearing, so let's talk about your future.

Call us on +44 (0)1202 966777 or apply online.

Anthropology is the study of humans: what unites us as a species and how and why individuals and groups vary both biologically and culturally across space and time. Our course - just one of a handful at UK universities to offer complementary units covering both social anthropology alongside the core focus of biological anthropology - provides a firm foundation for understanding how societies work through comprehensive study of the dual biological/social nature of humans and societies, past and present.

The course is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of human biological and cultural diversity. Anthropological theory and fieldwork, cultural ecology, human-environment interaction, human evolution and material culture and technology are all key areas of study, and in addition, you will undertake hands-on practical and laboratory work, all delivered by leading practitioners in their fields. Along the way, you will also gain a unique combination of highly transferable analytical, communication and presentation skills that are highly valued by a range of prospective employers.

After a broad, foundational first year, in your second and third years, you will be able to select from a portfolio of subject options from biological and social anthropology and allied disciplines, allowing you to create a course of study built around your own interests, passions, and career aspirations. You’ll also have the opportunity to complete a five- or 30-week placement outside university. This will give you the chance to apply skills developed throughout your degree as well as build a network of professional contacts and a strong CV, enhancing your career prospects after graduation.

See Course details for more information, including how this course will be delivered safely in autumn 2020 in response to Covid-19.

This course received a 92% overall satisfaction rating from our final year students in the latest National Student Survey (NSS) with 100% of them agreeing that our staff are good at explaining things. Join us on live chat or register to come and meet us at an open day.

We have three different anthropology programmes at BU, which offer a balanced foundation in the discipline. The courses differ only in the weighing of the archaeological, biological, or social and cultural perspectives on studying human life and human experience in past and present. When making your choice, we suggest that you consider the following programme specialisation:

BSc (Hons) Anthropology emphasises historical, biological and environmental perspectives
BA (Hons) Archaeology & Anthropology emphasises human history and prehistoric perspectives
BA (Hons) Sociology & Anthropology emphasises contemporary, social and political perspectives

Interested in studying this course part-time? Enquire now.

All statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats, Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE), BU institutional data and Ipsos MORI (National Student Survey) unless otherwise stated.

For September 2021 entry: In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in industry to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses.

This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page in June 2020 to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.

Image description — Anthropology student

Key information

Next start date:

September 2020, September 2021

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

3 years full-time with a 5-week placement, or 4 years with a 30-week placement

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

Places available to study this September

We have greater flexibility with our entry requirements during Clearing, so let's talk about your future.

Call us on +44 (0)1202 966777 or apply online.

International entry requirements:

For September 2020 and September 2021 entry: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in either reading or writing and 5.5 in all other components, or equivalent. For more information check out our international entry requirements page.

Course details

On this course you will be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators, technicians and research students. You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry.

This course is one of just a handful at UK universities to offer an exciting blend of both social and biological anthropology, covering topics such as anthropological theory and fieldwork, cultural ecology and human-environment interaction, material culture and technology, human evolution and hands-on laboratory work in biological anthropology, all delivered by leading practitioners in their fields from across BU. As well as developing a comprehensive understanding of human diversity and cultural richness, you will also gain the unique combination of highly transferable analytical, communication and presentation skills that make anthropology graduates highly attractive to a wide range of employers.

Download the programme specification (pdf 2.5mb)

September 2020 – course information

During your first semester (September to January), your course will be delivered online, using interactive platforms that will replicate the experience of being in a lecture theatre or seminar room. You’ll have opportunities to interact with your lecturer and fellow students just as you would have done in any other year.

We hope to have a full programme of face-to-face sessions on campus for all courses from January if government guidelines permit.

You will be able to use the Library, the Student Centre, Open Access Centre and social learning spaces, subject to physical distancing measures to undertake group and other work.

There will be no other changes to the content of your course as a result of Covid-19; we will deliver all of the units we have previously promised we would, and we are not making any changes to the individual learning outcomes on your course.

It’s important that you know these changes are temporary and that we will be back to our usual on-campus experience as soon as national guidance makes it possible.

See our Coronavirus FAQs for the latest information from BU.

This is the latest information, updated on 20 July. We will update this page when more information is available, and we can confirm any additional on-campus activity.

Year 1

Core units

AAFS Study Skills: You will learn the fundamental skills needed for any scientist to work with a range of field and lab data. This unit will provide you with the knowledge to perform statistical analysis, create charts, graphs & maps, and write clear and concise reports using appropriate software packages.
Ancient Peoples & Places: You will be introduced to the key thematic studies in archaeology concerning the evolution and development of ancient humans, changing technologies and material culture, and the organisation and development of past societies. You will be introduced to a range of archaeological, fossil, genetic and ethnographic evidence and develop core skills of analysis, interpretation, and reasoning using archaeological data.
Human Anatomy & Physiology: This unit will give you an overview of the structure and function of the human body, and you will be introduced to the principal concepts underlying pathophysiological processes that disturb health. Key biological and physiological practical techniques relevant to measuring human health and disease are covered, together with the skills you will need for the analysis and presentation of the resulting data.
Introduction to Social Anthropology: During this unit student-centred activities such as discussions and short presentations will enable you to demonstrate your growing knowledge of the historical emergence and development of anthropology and some of the key theoretical and empirical debates within social anthropology. You will also be able to gain insights into social anthropological perspectives and have the knowledge and confidence to debate contemporary world problems and issues.
Introduction to Social Theory: During this unit, you will be introduced to key social theory that informs classical and contemporary sociology and anthropology. Such theories are embedded in the historical and philosophical context of the analysis of Western society and its social forms. You will discuss the concept of ‘structuration’ and how it may give rise to societal and personal level explanations of social processes and social behavior and the contribution of theories arising out of the competing theoretical perspectives and what they may say about various themes and issues, such as what they say about deviance or poverty
Studying Ancient Materials: You will learn to handle a range of artefacts and other archaeological materials including ceramics, textiles, foodstuffs, glass, metals and building materials. You will be able to observe and record their characteristics and their importance to the interpretation of people and societies.

Year 2

Core units

Becoming Human: What makes us (as humans) unique? Where did our species come from? Starting from the divergence of the human lineage from that of other apes, this unit will demonstrate how a wide variety of different lines of evidence can inform the way in which we became human. You will learn how archaeologists and anthropologists interpret the fossil and archaeological evidence to understand the ways in which our ancestors and related species lived and how this changed over time. A key focus throughout will be on the relationship between the biological and social environments for evolution, and how the interaction between them influenced the evolution not only of our distinctive biological life histories, subsistence and foraging patterns but also our social life and culture, in the form of technology, material culture, language and symbolism.
Themes in Archaeology & Anthropology: If there is such a thing as ‘human nature’, then why are cultures across the world so different? Many things and practices that we think of as ‘natural’ or biologically given – for example, bodies, eating, shelter and the environment – are in fact thought about or performed in very different ways in different cultures across the globe today and in the past. How and why have cultural differences come about, and why might they change? This unit will introduce you to the diversity of contemporary and past human cultures around the world and to some of the methods anthropologists and archaeologists use to study these differences.
Growing up & Growing old: This unit explores sociological and anthropological perspectives and theories of childhood, youth and aging. It examines the variety and change in which the different categories of the life course, as well as how the transition from one stage to the next have been imagined, marked and constructed in different cultures and throughout history. It explores what impact such constructions have on people’s experiences of growing up and growing old. Drawing particularly on ethnographic studies from different parts of the world, the unit will explore the diverse experiences of children, young and old people in relation to, for example, economic or social circumstances including class, education and employment
Archaeological Science: This unit will develop your understanding of how thematic archaeological research questions may be addressed through the use of archaeological scientific techniques and approaches. Knowledge of case studies will be developed to promote understanding of the potential applications of archaeological science to investigate the behaviour of past human societies.

Option units

Semester 2 (choose 2):

Environmental & Societal Challenges: This unit will consider the relationships between humanity and the environment and is relevant to any student wanting to further their knowledge of science policy and application. You will be introduced to some of the big challenges faced by society today that stem from the impact of humanity on the earth system and you will gain a critical awareness of your own role and the role of NGOs.
Understanding Cultures: You will explore classic and contemporary debates about how culture should be understood, theorised and studied. You will examine how far sociological, anthropological and criminological concepts of culture differ from more commonplace understandings, a discrepancy particularly crystallised in cultures considered controversial or ‘deviant’ from an external perspective (e.g. ‘gang cultures’, ‘cultures of violence’ or cultures defining the body, personhood, life and death in ways that are different from our own). You will learn how culture shapes, and is shaped by, social, historical and economic conditions as well as learning how to evaluate how our understanding of different identities and practices across the world can be enhanced by approaching the study of culture in a theoretically and criticially informed way.
Understanding Globalisation: In this module, you will explore debates about globalisation within sociology and social science disciplines. You will consider how far present day global integration and interconnection differs from that of previous historical eras. Through a series of topic areas, you will be able to critically investigate global institutions and transnational corporations, and examine a series of global processes and flows of people, ideas, money and commodities in the present day. This will enrich your perspectives on what it means to be a ‘global citizen’, by encouraging critical reflection on issues such as transnational migration and work in the global economy, as well as issues of global social and economic justice and ecological sustainability.
Rome & Barbarian Europe: You will develop an understanding of the history, archaeological impact, key sites, monuments, belief-systems, artistic expression, political complexity, fashions and environment of the Roman Empire, from the 1st to the 7th Century AD in European, African and Asian contexts. The interrelationship between the classical world and that of so-called ‘barbarian’ (Celtic/Germanic/Scandinavian/Slavic) people of north and eastern Europe will be studied.
Societies of prehistoric Europe: Keynote lectures are supported by discussion sessions to provide you with an introduction to the study of early farming societies in Temperate Europe and the northern Mediterranean (c.6000-800 BC). They will bring together evidence of settlement patterns to provide a sound understanding of how these societies inhabited and manipulated their environment. You will be required to undertake a considerable amount of supportive research in this unit.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Optional placement year

Final year

Core units

Cultural Ecology: Humans share their habitats with a multitude of other organisms and have to adapt to a variety of existing or changing circumstances of the natural environment. However, humans themselves change these basic conditions by using techniques, agreements, rules and modes of organisation in order to facilitate long-term settlement in their habitat. They form and manipulate their environment as part of adaptation strategies within the framework of their personal interests and collective goals. Adaptations of human populations to their respective habitats thus always embrace cultural strategies and their biological conditions and consequences. By considering an ecosystems approach, this unit will give an overview and discuss of the diversity and correspondence of biocultural solutions, which human populations have developed to co-ordinate these two sides of their life support system.
Independent Research Project: The Independent Research Project provides you with an opportunity to gain experience of research in a topic of your choice relevant to your degree and to demonstrate your ability to report that research. Such experience is considered essential for those students interested in pursuing academic and/or professional research at a higher level of responsibility and achievement.

Option units

Semester 1 (choose one):

Anthropology of International Policy: This unit aims to familiarise you with critical anthropological debates on international intervention policies and practices. By introducing you to existing, multi-sited ethnographic research into international and local organisations and actors, their experiences, practices, norms and perceptions as well as into the transformations of ‘Western’ intervention paradigms on the ground, the unit will provide the basis for scholarly criticism of real-life international policy transfer in global asymmetric relations of power. It will foster critical and creative thinking for improving professional, ethically-aware future practices in the applications of anthropological, sociological and policy expertise.
Science of Human Remains: Practical lab sessions will allow you to examine skeletal material of modern humans in archaeological and forensic contexts. You will examine the ways in which disease can inform health status in past societies and how disease, trauma and skeletal pathology can identify individuals in a forensic context.
Seekers, Believers & Iconoclasts - Sociology of Thought: This unit explores the concept of science as a sociological phenomenon contextualised within a cultural and social analysis, as well as a philosophical and historical one. Science is considered as a social organisation dedicated to the production of knowledge that is accepted within a corpus of knowledge as conforming to that governing scientific epistemology. This position is contrasted with bodies of knowledge that lie beyond these rules and governance.

Semester 2 (choose one):

Animals & Society: This unit aims to provide you with a detailed critical understanding of human interactions with animals in Britain from the Palaeolithic through to the early Post-medieval period. These interactions include the exploitation of animals for meat and other products and how animals were incorporated into burial practices and other rituals.
Food, Culture & Travel: This unit will enable you to understand the issues surrounding food and its role within particular cultures and tourism destinations. You will analyse the socio-cultural, environmental, health, economic, ethical and political issues impacting upon food in a variety of geographical contexts. Case studies will be used to demonstrate how particular food commodities, social networking and behaviours affect commercial tourism and hospitality as well as social and domestic cultures.
Primate Behavioural Ecology: This unit will provide you with an understanding of how primate behaviour can be interpreted from an evolutionary viewpoint and how human and non-human primates’ behavioural strategies are adapted to the environment (social and ecological) in which they live. The unit will stimulate discussion and the critical analysis of theories by a combination of lectures, directed reading and discussion sessions which will involve the analysis of scientific articles.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Scheduled learning and teaching activities

Contact hours

The hours below give an indication of how you can expect to spend your time during each year of this course. You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and practical sessions. Your independent learning could include reading books and journal articles, working on group projects, preparing presentations, conducting library research and writing your assignments.

Year 1 – 19% of your time will be spent in timetabled learning & teaching activities

Learning and teaching: 252 hours
Independent learning: 948 hours

Year 2 – 37% of your time will be spent in timetabled learning & teaching activities

Learning and teaching: 444 hours
Independent learning: 756 hours

Year 3 - 17% of your time will be spent in timetabled learning & teaching activities

Learning and teaching: 204 hours
Independent learning: 996 hours

Assessment methods and programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed by coursework culminating in your final year research project, and you will also undertake group work and written exams. The assessment methods for each unit can be found in the programme specification for your course.

Placements

At BU, we recognise that placements are extremely valuable and can give you a head start when it comes to your future career; so we offer every new student the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of their course. We will provide a great deal of help and support to ensure you achieve a rewarding and satisfying placement.

A placement year is a vital part in developing well-rounded and industry-ready graduates. Why not read about some of our students’ experiences?

What’s more, you can also choose to take your placement abroad, giving you the opportunity to develop yourself personally, academically, and professionally and gain skills to help you stand out in the job market.

Find out about BU students’ experiences on placements All you need to know about placements

How placements benefit you

A placement should be a highly rewarding experience for you and the employing company and we do our best to ensure that everyone involved feels that they have got the most that they can from the experience.

Placements provide a great opportunity to make your first career steps and enhance your employability while you’re completing your studies. You’ll get the opportunity to:

Put the theory learnt throughout the course into professional practice
Enhance your study and help you decide on subject options (where appropriate)
Learn a wide range of skills such as time management, problem solving and team work (all of these are important to succeed in any career)
Make contacts, as it is not uncommon for our students to be offered permanent positions to return to after graduating
Gain a real insight into how the industry operates in roles that would be almost impossible to achieve for an outsider
Many of our students, during their placement, are given responsibilities normally associated with graduate trainees.

How long will your placement be?

What support will be available?

The faculty running your course will offer the support of a Placement Coordinator.

They’ll help you plan your placement so make sure you get the right experience for you. That includes offering help and support if you need to move to another part of the UK – and even another country – to get the most out of your time.

We’ve also built close industry links over the years – so our network of employers that are keen to work with placement students is always growing. Or if you’d prefer to arrange your placement independently, we can offer advice on how to do that too.

Your application

For this course we are looking for students with:

An understanding of what anthropology is
An enthusiasm for applying science to solve problems
Good written and oral communication skills, and the ability to think analytically
An interest in anthropology (e.g. by school project work or relevant volunteer work).

How to apply

What we're looking for

Students on this course will have a lively interest in the application of anthropological sciences. We look for innovative thinkers who are interested in understanding the past and present through practical and scientific investigation.

Applicants will have strong analytical problem-solving and communication skills, both written and oral, as you could be working as an individual or as part of a multi-disciplinary team. We seek students with enquiring minds who are comfortable using science, technology and creative thought to apply in their studies and would encourage applicants who are interested in exploring new ideas and concepts and applying knowledge across related disciplines.

Selection methods

How we assess your application

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

AccessBU gives you the chance to tell us more about you and your life experiences if you haven’t had the same educational opportunities as other applicants. If you are eligible for AccessBU, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS Tariff Points below the published tariff.

Our offer-making process

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

Supporting your study

These courses have compulsory elements involving working with dangerous substances in laboratory conditions and/or undertaking field trips in less accessible environments. Students must complete a health and safety risk assessment taking part in these activities, for their safety and that of others. As part of that assessment students provide information about any conditions or disabilities that might affect their ability to undertake these activities fully or safely.

If you have such a condition or disability, please let us know as soon as possible. You can contact our Additional Learning Support (ALS) service about this before or after making an application. We will then work with you to identify any support or adjustments you would need. Our ALS team works with the Faculty to seek to put in place reasonable adjustments and health and safety plans.

Exceptionally, it may not be possible to arrange for a student to access these courses without either over-riding their core standards or competencies or creating unacceptable risks to health and safety. If that is the case we will help you explore alternative course choices.

Our Unconditional Offer Scheme (2020 entry)

Applicants who are predicted to achieve strong academic results will be eligible for BU’s Unconditional Offer Scheme in recognition of their academic performance and potential to succeed at university. You will receive an unconditional offer from BU if you are selected for the scheme - course selection measures and other entry criteria (i.e. required qualifications) apply.

We believe that unconditional offers reduce pressure on applicants who will continue to strive to achieve the best grades possible. Excellent grades become a part of applicants’ CVs and also support eligibility for our Academic Excellence scholarship - if you achieve AAA or above at A-level or equivalent, you’ll be automatically eligible for this award.

Visit our Unconditional offer scheme FAQ page

Entry requirements

We use the UCAS Tariff in our entry requirements and will accept a combination of grades and qualifications to meet the overall tariff requirement. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.

We have outlined our entry requirements below using the most common qualifications that we consider for this course. If your qualification is not on the UCAS tariff or listed below, please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team who can advise accordingly. You can also find out more about how we consider your application in our offer-making process section.

For September 2020 and September 2021 entry: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

Numeracy and Literacy requirement: GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework. See all the equivalencies.

A-level and AS levels: 104 – 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two A-levels.

Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate – Skills Challenge Certificate: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Access to HE Diploma: 102 – 118 UCAS tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit, Pass grades.

BTEC National:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)
Diploma: Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)
Foundation Diploma/ 90-credit Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff
Extended Certificate/ Subsidiary Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two principal subjects.

Cambridge Technical:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)
Diploma: Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)
Subsidiary Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff
Introductory Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Extended Project Qualification: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by two A-level sized qualifications to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

International Baccalaureate Certificates: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Higher Level certificates.

International Baccalaureate (Diploma): An overall score of 28 - 31 points.

Scottish Highers: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of four Scottish Highers.

Scottish Advanced Highers: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.

Other useful information

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, you can request a deferral by contacting our Admissions Team.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2020 and September 2021 entry:

Диплома за средно образование (Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Education) or Диплома за средно специално образование (Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Specialised Education). Minimum score of 4.5
Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma with required scores (4,3,3 to 4,5,5. Minimum 4 in English required)
Italian Esame di Stato[AB1] with minimum 60%+
Spanish Curso de Orientaciòn Universitaria (COU) prior to 2009 or if you hold a Titulo De Bachillerato awarded from 2009 onwards with a minimum of 6/10+
USA High School Diploma with minimum GPA 3.0 plus SAT Reasoning (1200) or ACT (24-26).

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

For September 2020 and September 2021 entry: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in either reading or writing and 5.5 in all other components, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

Careers

Our BSc (Hons) Anthropology course started in 2015. It gives you a fantastic overview of the subject area and you will have varied career options when you graduate. Our degree covers social and biological anthropology, which means you can work in various disciplines once you graduate, including archaeology, forensic science, cultural ecology, human environment interaction and human evolution to name just a few.

Within six months of completing their course, 90% of our students who study anthropology courses are working or studying.

Further study

Career possibilities

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that staff can change.

Dr Martin Smith – Principal Academic in Forensic & Biological Anthropology

Martin Smith is a Biological Anthropologist with a particular interest in prehistoric populations and areas of taphonomy and trauma with relevance to both forensic and archaeological remains. Some of Martin’s most enjoyable work has involved experimentation, such as feeding meat on the bone to various carnivorous animals; he most memorably came within inches of a very irritable lynx as well as a rather inquisitive tiger!

Dr Martin Smith's staff profile

Costs and fees

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course. You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our undergraduate fees and funding section. That’s also where you’ll find information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer – including unlimited Academic Excellence Scholarships for UK, EU and International students.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be. You’ll also find you could benefit from a range of discounts as a student.

Find out more about budgeting and living expenses

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

One set of study-related consumables such as a memory stick/ DVD
Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
Disability and additional learning support
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team
Loan of lab coats and safety glasses
Compulsory/assessed fieldwork.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website
Optional fieldwork travel, outdoor wear and footwear (where applicable)
Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses
Travel costs to and from the university campus. An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation
Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas). Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website
Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement.

Repeat units

Financial help available from BU

Course changes

Changes in 2020

Date	Changes to this course
06/03/2020	Where the change was made: Course details Changes: Second year unit 'Growing up & Growing old' has been made a core unit when it was previously optional. Second year unit 'Controversial Cultures' has changed name to 'Understanding Cultures' and is now optional when it had previously been a core unit. Second year unit 'Globalisation & Margelisation' has changed name to 'Understanding Globalisation'.

Date

Changes to this course

06/03/2020

Where the change was made: Course details

Changes:

Second year unit 'Growing up & Growing old' has been made a core unit when it was previously optional.
Second year unit 'Controversial Cultures' has changed name to 'Understanding Cultures' and is now optional when it had previously been a core unit.
Second year unit 'Globalisation & Margelisation' has changed name to 'Understanding Globalisation'.

Changes for 2019 entry

The table below indicates any changes to the course content.

Date	Changes to this course
17/01/2019	Where the change was made: Course details Change: Removal of the second year option unit Interpreting History. As a result the previous option units of Controversial Culture and Archaeological Science become core units. Previous text: N/a

Changes in 2018

The table below indicates any changes to the course content.

Date	Changes to this course
14/05/2018	Where the change was made: Course details content Change: Removal of Level 5 unit Bonobos, Bones & Bottlenecks
19/02/2018	Where the change was made: Course details content Change: Removal of Level 5 option unit Community Histories

Changes in 2017

The table below indicates any changes to the course content.

Date	Changes to this course
15/11/2017	Where the change was made: Fees Change: After an annual review of the placement year tuition fee, a price increase in line with current inflation, equating to 3% has been introduced. Previous text: £790
06/09/2017	Where the change was made: Key facts and 2018 entry requirements Change: 2018 entry requirements have changed to 104-120 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent qualifications. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM. Previous text: For 2017 entry: 104-120 tariff points including 3 A-levels or equivalent qualifications. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM.
06/09/2017	Where the change was made: 2018 entry requirements Change: 2018 GCSE entry requirements have changed to This course requires GCSE English and Mathematics grade C (or grade 4 in the reformed GCSE grading) or equivalent qualifications. Previous text: This course requires a minimum of 4 GCSEs grades A* - C (or grade 4 or above in the newly reformed GCSE grading) including Maths and English or equivalent qualifications.
14/06/2017	Where the change was made: Course details content Change: Introduction to Social Anthropology Previous text: Introduction to Anthropology
03/03/2017	Where the change was made: Course details content Change: Adding Archaeological Sciences as an option to Year 2, semester 1 unit options Previous text: N/A

Hear from our staff

Dr Fiona Coward

Studying anthropology will lead you to question all kinds of things you’ve taken for granted about the way we live our lives and how our society is organized.

Hear from our staff

Dr Christos Gatzidis

It’s important not to disregard the impact of a BU education on an individual such as attention to deadlines, professionalism, facilitation of organised teamwork, and many others.

BSc (Hons) Anthropology

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How Alex gained valuable insights through studying Sociology and Anthropology

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Hear from our staff

Dr Fiona Coward

Hear from our staff

Dr Christos Gatzidis