The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements
Anthropology
BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons)
Key facts
UCAS code
L600
Start dates
September 2022 / September 2023
Location
Course length
Full time: 3 years
Part time: up to 6 years
Department
UCAS Tariff Points
104
Overview
Human societies today face tremendous change and insecurity - from global migration to disappearing wildlife. And our world needs people with innovative skills and perspectives to respond to these challenges.
When you study Anthropology, you’ll explore what makes us human, what drives our diversity and how we’re connected to our environment. And from day 1, your studies will take you across subjects, cultures, regions and species. You’ll debate critical issues like:
- social justice and inequality
- the origins of modern humans
- migration and multiculturalism
- gender identities and differences
- international development
- primate conservation
You’ll gain new perspectives on your culture, while you explore others. And you’ll examine the foundations of human societies - learning about our evolutionary history. You might be surprised where your interests can take you.
You’ll graduate with a strong awareness of social and environmental justice. And you’ll have sought-after employment skills and knowledge.
Joint honours options
You can also study this course as part of a joint honours degree. This course can be joined with:
How to apply
Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 104
A Level: BCC
IB Points: 29
BTEC: DMM
Contextual offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 88
A Level: CCD
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM
Further offer details
For combined honours, normally the offer will lie between the offers quoted for each subject.
Applications are also welcomed for consideration from applicants with European qualifications, international qualifications or recognised foundation courses. For advice on eligibility please contact Admissions: admissions@brookes.ac.uk
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, or if you would like more preparation before you start, you can take an international foundation course. Once you enrol, you will have a guaranteed pathway to this degree if you pass your foundation course with the required grades.
If you only need to meet the language requirements, you can take our pre-sessional English course. You will develop key language and study skills for academic success and you will not need to take an external language test to progress to your degree.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.
Find out more about transferring to Brookes. If you'd like to talk through your options, please contact our Admissions team.
Application process
Full time Home (UK) applicants
Apply through UCASPart time Home (UK) applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityInternational applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityFull time international applicants can also apply through UCAS
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Please note tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.
Financial support and scholarships
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
We do not expect students to purchase any compulsory course books, as they are all available in the library. If students wish to purchase additional books to supplement their reading this is at their own discretion.
Learning and assessment
On this course, you’ll experience Anthropology’s diverse approach. You won’t be limited to studying one subject area - you can satisfy your curiosity to explore cultures, regions and species.
Your course draws on concepts from History, Psychology, Biology, Geography and Philosophy. And you can choose to focus on Biological or Social Anthropology - or pursue a mix of both.
In your first year, you’ll explore what it means to be human. You’ll learn about gender in different societies. You’ll explore ancient human communities. And you’ll learn about our endangered primate cousins.
In your second year, you’ll explore your interests. You can specialise in:
- human origins and archaeology
- international development
- environment and conservation
- contemporary societies
- primate behaviour and evolution
In your final year you’ll have the freedom to focus on what you care about most. You might examine the illegal wildlife trade, or investigate habitat loss. You could do fieldwork in a refugee camp. Or you might analyse ancient stone tools. Or you could even examine anime cosplayer culture.

Learning and teaching
You’ll learn through a mix of group discussion, independent research and hands-on practical work.
You’ll participate in:
- lectures
- small seminars
- tutorials
- practicals
- lab work
All your learning will be led by expert practitioners, who carry out fieldwork alongside teaching. This means your learning will always be underpinned by the latest thinking and research.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
Your assessments will be diverse, and will support different learning styles - you’ll have a real opportunity to showcase your strengths.
You might write a blog, create a video diary or give a presentation. You’ll be able to carry out lab work, write essays and participate in seminar discussions. You’ll have some exams and in-class tests as well.
Study Abroad
You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Oxford Brookes. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.
After you graduate
Career prospects
This is a diverse course. You’ll explore many different areas. And as you learn, you’ll have opportunities to apply your learning directly to career contexts.This will help you identify the most rewarding career path.
You’ll graduate with strong intercultural awareness - a sought-after skill in today’s employment market. This will set you up for people-orientated careers like:
- marketing
- PR
- human resources and recruitment
- urban planning
- tourism
- international development
You’ll also develop specialist biological skills and knowledge - equipping you to progress into areas like:
- museum curation
- contract archeology
- biological or primatological research
- animal welfare or zoo management
You’ll also have built up a set of transferable skills that you can take straight into any workplace - like written communication, collaboration and critical thinking.
Further study
Many of our graduates are currently engaged in further study in Anthropology and also in a range of other subjects, such as Education, Archaeology, Geography, International Relations, Security and Society, History, and Primate Conservation, with many choosing to continue these studies at Oxford Brookes.
Student profiles
Our Staff
Professor Anna Nekaris
Anna is a world-renowned primatologist who teaches on the BSc Anthropology course. She is a specialist in Asian lorises and is internationally recognised for her work identifying threats to these critically endangered species. Anna has published more than 250 papers, and has appeared in documentaries on Animal Planet, the BBC, the History Channel and more. You’ll see Anna on modules like Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Primate Conservation.
Read more about AnnaDr Sam Smith
Sam is an experienced field archeologist. He’s an expert on ancient technologies - like chipped stone tools. And he’s charted human progress from nomadic hunter gatherer societies to today’s urban cityscapes. He can tell you about climate change throughout our evolution - and also humans’ impact on their landscapes. You’ll see Sam in Year 1 in our Deep History module and in Year 3 modules Cognitive Evolution and The Dawn of Civilisation.
Read more about SamDr Thomas Chambers
Thomas is an expert on Indian Muslims. He has extensively studied Indian Muslim workers - both in India and in Middle Eastern labour camps. He also examines how gender, class, ethnicity and religion shape everyday experiences. And he looks at issues from economic change to intimacy, sexuality and care. You’ll see Thomas on modules such as Anthropology of India and Social Anthropology Theory.
Read more about ThomasFree language courses
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Related courses
Information from Discover Uni
Full-time study
Part-time study
Programme Changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.