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BA (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology

University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Course Overview

Archaeology and Anthropology seek to understand the nature of human societies, the material worlds they inhabit and the extraordinary variety of cultural life over time.

This integrated undergraduate degree programme is run jointly by the Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology, and the Department of African Studies and Anthropology, who together provide an exceptionally diverse and dynamic learning environment.  It is designed both for future archaeologists and anthropologists and for those seeking an exciting and dynamic non-vocational degree course.

Every aspect of human experience and expression is open to archaeological and anthropological enquiry, including ritual and religion, social organisation, art, architecture, music, mythology, dress, identity, technology, health, violence, migration, economy, and landscape. Each discipline complements and enriches the other and, in combination, guides contemporary understanding of global human culture and its diverse forms, achievements and changing character.

In this degree programme there is great emphasis on student choice, small-group teaching, individual research and thematic study.  Areas of study in the course are diverse and the coverage is global, ranging from Europe to Africa, Asia and the Americas, and embraces all human cultural life from the Palaeolithic to the present day.

General Eligibility

  • Three GCE A levels (including International A Levels)

  • The International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • SQA Highers and Advanced Highers (many programmes will accept Highers without additional Advanced Highers)

  • The Cambridge Pre-U (minimum three separate subjects)

  • A mix of A levels and Cambridge Pre-U subjects (minimum three in total)

  • The Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level

  • The European Baccalaureate

  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (the grade required will be the same as from an A level and must be combined with 2 A levels.)

Part Time Work Details

20 Hours of Work permit weekly for international students.

What You'll Study

1 Year 1

Compulsory modules

  • Project A (10 credits)

  • Project B (10 credits)

  • Understanding Archaeology (20 credits)

  • Practice of Archaeology (20 credits)

  • Studying Societies (10 credits)

  • Studying Societies (Anthropology and its Regions) (10 credits)

  • Anthropology of Africa (20 credits)

  • Thinking Anthropologically (20 credits)

2 Year 2

Compulsory modules

  • Theory and Ethnography (20 credits)

  • Research in Practice (20 credits)

Optional modules

80 credits of optional modules - for the optional modules, you can choose to take 20-40 credits from Department of African Studies and Anthropology and 40-60 credits from Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology.  

3 Year 3

Compulsory modules

  • Dissertation (40 credits) with African Studies and Anthropology or a Dissertation with Classics, Ancient History or Archaeology or a CAHA Extended Essay (20 credits)  

Optional modules

Choose 80-100 credits (depending on whether a Dissertation or Extended Essays has been chosen) of optional modules and students must take a minimum of 20 credits of these modules from each department. 

Language Requirement

In order to undertake a programme of study here at the University, you will need to demonstrate that you have a suitable level of English proficiency.

You can demonstrate your level of English with IELTS/TOEFL/PTE or alternative qualifications. The sections below will tell you what grades you need in these qualifications for the subject area you want to study.

English tests/qualifications normally need to have been taken within two years of the start date of your programme.

For those joining us for 2022, we will accept the following additional tests as evidence of English language proficiency:

  • TOEFL Home Edition

  • IELTs Online

  • PTE Academic Online

Ready to get started?

For any enquiries or further details, please don't hesitate to contact us. Let's take the next step in your academic journey together.

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