Psychology and Anthropology CL86 September 2025

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Typical offers

Typical offers
A Level	AAA
BTEC	DDD
International Baccalaureate	37

Course details

This British Psychological Society accredited degree explores what it means to be human, including our relationship to other species. You will be taught by staff who are leading researchers in their fields, including those with expertise in both subjects.

In Psychology, you will study cognitive, biological, social and developmental perspectives. In Anthropology, you will use primarily evolutionary and biological perspectives to inquire into the mind and behaviour of past and present human and primate populations. You will learn how Anthropology and Psychology provide both complementary and contrasting perspectives, plus the various quantitative and qualitative research methods used in both disciplines.

The interface of Anthropology and Psychology explicitly integrates intercultural, international and global issues. For example, both subjects address issues of cross-cultural diversity and representation in research.

In the first year, the core modules will give you a broad introduction to key methods, knowledge and theories in Anthropology and Psychology.

The second year continues to build on project design and research skills, broadens theory and topical knowledge (ensuring British Psychological Society accreditation), and explores the interface between Psychology and Anthropology.

The third year includes a dissertation that allows a deep exploration of a specific interdisciplinary research area, and the final Psychology module required for BPS accreditation.

Course Structure

Year 1

Core modules:

Doing Anthropological Research provides a grounding in research methods used in both biological and sociocultural anthropology. This will prepare you for further research, both quantitative and qualitative, and ensure you develop academic and transferable skills for your degree and beyond.

Human Evolution and Diversity introduces the biological basis of human diversity and the evolutionary history of our species. The module provides key concepts in evolutionary theory, human diversity, palaeoanthropology and primatology which are essential for an evolutionary and biologically-informed understanding of modern human psychology and behaviour.

Introduction to Psychological Research provides an introduction to key research methods and statistical techniques used in psychology.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology
People and Cultures
Health, Illness and Society
Introduction to Psychology.

Year 2

Core modules:

Conceptual Issues in Psychology and Anthropology provides an advanced understanding of the relationship between psychological and anthropological approaches. This module will develop your skills in researching and communicating a range of contemporary and conceptual issues, and prepare you for the integrated psychology and anthropology dissertation.

Research Project Design builds upon previous methods training by providing the skills necessary to develop independent research projects.

Primate Societies allows you to develop your understanding of the evolution of primate social life, helping you understand human behaviour in a wider biological context.

Mind and Culture covers the evolution of human cognition and culture in comparative perspective, extending your understanding of humans as primates.

Advanced Psychological Research will develop your experimental design and statistics knowledge to fulfil the requirements for a British Psychological Society recognised degree in Psychology. You will also discuss psychological research in a tutorial context and develop skills in studying classic papers in psychology.

Cognitive and Biological Psychology develops an understanding of theoretical, methodological and empirical approaches in cognitive and biological psychology, with particular emphasis on visual neuroscience and visual cognition.

Social and Developmental Psychology provides a broad knowledge and understanding of research and theory in some of the key areas of developmental psychology and examines the contribution that social psychology has made to an understanding of the relations between people and social structures.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

Reading the Skeleton
Palaeoanthropology: The Story of Human Evolution
Sex, Reproduction and Health
Anthropology of the Body
Critical Global Health
Health and Inequality
Anthropological Research Methods in Action
Environment, Climate and the Anthropocene.

Year 3

Core modules:

The Dissertation, a substantial research project in an interdisciplinary psychology and anthropology topic of your choice, allows a deep, independently driven exploration of a specific research area.

Differential and Clinical Psychology is the final module required for British Psychological Society accreditation. The module develops knowledge and understanding of theory and research in differential psychology, the study of psychological differences and similarities between people and understanding of theory and research in atypical and clinical psychology.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

Anthropology of Physical Activity for Health
Evolutionary Medicine: Maternal and Infant Health
Evolution of Cooperation
Cultural Evolution of Music
Primates in Peril
Forensic Anthropology
Palaeoanthropology and Palaeoecology
Clinical Neuropsychology
Psychology in the Workplace
The Visual Brain
Criminological Psychology
Reward and Addiction.

Additional pathways

Students on the Psychology and Anthropology can apply to be transferred onto either the ‘with Year Abroad’ or ‘with Placement’ pathway during the second year. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four.

Placement

You may be able to take a work placement. Find out more.

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Entry requirements

Grade 5 (or Grade B) or above in Mathematics at GCSE (or equivalent) is required.

A level offer: AAA.

Contextual offer – BBB.

BTEC offer: Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD.

IB Diploma offer: score of 37 with 666 in higher level subjects.

No specific subjects are required, and a combination of arts and science subjects is acceptable.

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.

We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact our Admissions Selectors.

You may be eligible for a contextual offer – see www.durham.ac.uk/contextualoffers

If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Programme offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses.

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

Science A levels

Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.

Alternative qualifications

Other UK qualifications

EU qualifications

International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

Fees and funding

Full Time Fees

Tuition fees
Home students	£9,250 per year
EU students	£33,250 per year
Island students	£9,250 per year
International students	£33,250 per year

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages.

In deciding the annual level of increase the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of;

6%, or,
the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.

Find out more about Scholarships and Bursaries

Career opportunities

Anthropology

With a degree in Anthropology, you will be equipped with a diverse and practical knowledge base, including highly transferable skills in research and communication. Employers worldwide value this skill set, particularly where creativity, curiosity and the ability to understand human diversity are at a premium.

Our graduates apply their knowledge directly in fields as diverse as health, community work, conservation, education, international development, culture, and heritage. Many progress into careers that require a broad understanding of human society and behaviour as well as the interpersonal, organisational, problem solving and independent thinking skills that come with the discipline. Such careers include advertising, publishing, journalism, teaching, human resource management, law, consultancy and marketing.

A significant number of graduates progress onto higher level study with many pursuing further research in anthropology or other fields.

Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:

93% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

78% are in high skilled employment
With an average salary of £25,000.

(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)

Psychology

Your degree will equip you with the academic knowledge, analytical and problem-solving skills that are in demand across a wide range of professions.

We are committed to developing your skills and offer a range of support activities to help you find a career that’s right for you. From Year 1 you will have an academic advisor, and you will be invited to graduate careers fairs where you can talk to recruiters. You can also attend the Psychology Employability Retreat.

Our undergraduate degrees are recognised by the British Psychological Society – the first step towards a career as a psychologist.

Our graduates also progress to postgraduate courses and have qualified in areas such as teaching, law, and speech and language therapy.

Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:

84% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

81% are in high skilled employment
With an average salary of £24,750

Department information

Anthropology

Studying Anthropology at Durham allows you to gain a deep understanding of humanity in all its rich diversity and complexity, helping to navigate the biggest challenges our societies face today.

Join a dynamic and welcoming Department that takes a distinctly broad-based approach to the study of humanity. We are among the largest Anthropology departments in the UK with around 120 students in each year group, and one of the few to combine social, biological and medical aspects of anthropology. You can choose from one of three single-honours programmes or combine Anthropology with Sociology, Psychology or Archaeology as a joint-honours degree. This gives you the chance to explore humanity from multiple perspectives, covering our species' evolution over millions of years up to the present day diversity of human societies.

Our lecturers are passionate, dedicated teachers and researchers, and our modules cover numerous areas that overlap with other subjects, including culture, environmental issues, evolution, genetics, forensics, literature, health, music, politics, primate behaviour, religion, reproduction, skeletal anatomy and many others still. And with a research-led approach, our teaching is constantly evolving to incorporate the latest findings into the curriculum.

Our flexible courses offer the opportunity both to explore the breadth of Anthropology and to specialise in one of our sub-disciplinary areas. We offer a residential field course to all our undergraduate students (as well as a virtual alternative), providing hands-on experience of varied anthropological methods in practice.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

23rd in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2023
6th in The Guardian University Guide 2024
8th in The Complete University Guide 2024
Top 10 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Anthropology pages.

Research Excellence Framework

45% of our research was rated as world-leading (REF 2021)

Facilities

We are based in the Dawson Building, conveniently located next to the main library, and close to lots of other departments and university services. We have a common room which students are welcome to use for studying and socialising.

The Department’s research facilities include skeletal, fossil cast and material culture collections available for students to use as part of their learning activities and research projects.

We also house a number of research centres and laboratories including an Infancy and Sleep Centre, a Physical Activity Lab and an Ecology and Endocrinology Laboratory which is equipped to analyse human samples.

Psychology

How do we develop empathy? How does culture affect our behaviour? Where does prejudice come from? Learn from leading researchers in their fields as you explore some of the most challenging questions in psychology today.

Psychology is concerned with understanding the mind and human behaviour. You will investigate the processes that underpin the thoughts, feelings and motivations behind our actions. Learning from academics with real enthusiasm for their subject, you will explore topics such as social behaviour, childhood development and cognitive neuroscience.

Our psychology degrees offer a genuinely research-led education. While learning the core principles of psychology, you will have the opportunity to work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will have access to cutting-edge technologies, including the Department’s clinical and experimental facilities which include motion capture, eye tracking and biophysical recording laboratories.

Our innovative approach to learning takes us beyond the traditional student-lecturer dynamic. Through a combination of practical teaching sessions, an optional placement module, and even an employability retreat we actively prepare you for working life. The third year includes a research project, and you can gain additional lab-based experience with our popular Research Assistant Scheme. You can also apply for a placement year or year abroad.

Students who graduate with a 2.1 or higher are accredited by the BPS as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership – the first step towards a career as a psychologist.

To find out more see our department pages.

Rankings

World Top 100 in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2023

For a current list of staff, please see the Psychology Department pages

Facilities

Guided by experts in the field, you will have access to a range of world-leading clinical and experimental facilities. This hands-on experience brings theory to life and helps you gain a deeper understanding of the mind and behaviour. Facilities in the Department of Psychology include body scanners with integrated eye tracking, molecular psychology suites, VR suites with motion capture and mock environments for ecologically valid research.

You will be ideally located in a dedicated psychology learning space, adjacent to many university departments and services, and within walking distance of Durham’s historic centre.