Archaeology and Anthropology BA (Hons)

University of Oxford
Student rating (4.2) 916 reviews

UCAS CODE
LV64

Course description
Overview

Archaeology and anthropology together encompass the study of humankind from the origins of the human species to the
present day. Both disciplines have a long history: archaeology grew from 18th-century antiquarianism, while anthropology
began even earlier in the first days of colonial encounter. Today, both subjects involve a range of sophisticated approaches
shared with the arts, social sciences and physical sciences.

Oxford’s distinctive combination of archaeology and anthropology, pursued over three years, offers an unusually broad
perspective on human societies from earliest prehistory to the present. The course offers a comprehensive guide to the richness
and diversity of human cultural experience throughout space and time. By choosing to study here you will be able to:

● explore how humans evolved

● get to grips with major transformational processes in human history such as the development of farming, the emergence of
towns and trading systems and the spread of world religions
● learn why societies structure their families, economies and political systems in the ways that they do
● investigate how material culture represents and reproduces beliefs and ideologies.
Six Oxford institutions specialise in these subjects: the Schools of Archaeology and of Social and Cultural Anthropology, the
Ashmolean Museum, the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Research Laboratory
for Archaeology and the History of Art. All play a key role in the provision of teaching for the degree.

Fieldwork/work placements/international opportunities

As part of your course you must undertake a minimum of four weeks of fieldwork (subject to approval by your tutors), which is
normally completed in the summer vacation at the end of your first year. This can take place in the field (for example, an
archaeological excavation or survey) or in a laboratory or museum. It may include anthropological as well as archaeological
projects and at its conclusion you will be required to complete a (non-assessed) report on what you have done and its
significance. Recent destinations include archaeological digs in Georgia, Ireland, and Lesotho, an anthropological field school in
New York, and internships at the British Museum.

Financial support for your fieldwork is available from the University and may also be available from your college. You may also
choose to engage in further fieldwork as part of your final-year dissertation, while other opportunities may exist for work-based
learning in the University’s own museums.

Careers

Archaeology and Anthropology opens up a wide range of career opportunities, in part because the degree offers a unique
perspective on how human societies operate and develop and on how people interact with each other. This is also due to the
intellectually demanding requirements of an Oxford degree, and to the combination of independent study and tutorial teaching.
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Graduates of this course have found opportunities in heritage management, international development, education, the law, the
media and the Civil Service among other careers.

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Study options

STUDY MODE CAMPUS DURATION STARTS

Full time Hertford 3 Years OCT-21

Full time Harris Manchester (Mat) 3 Years OCT-21

Full time St Peter's 3 Years OCT-21

Full time St Hugh's 3 Years OCT-21

Full time Magdalen 3 Years OCT-21

Full time Keble 3 Years OCT-21

Full time Open Application 3 Years OCT-21

Full time St John's 3 Years OCT-21

Entry requirements

View entry requirement

Course fees

View fee details

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Introduction to world archaeology - Core
Introduction to anthropological theory - Core
Perspectives on human evolution - Core
The nature of archaeological and anthropological enquiry - Core

Modules (Year 2)
Social analysis and interpretation - Core
Cultural representations, beliefs and practices - Core
Landscape and ecology - Core
Urbanism and society - Core

Modules (Year 3)
Urbanism and society - Core
Landscape and ecology - Core
Cultural representations, beliefs and practices - Core
Social analysis and interpretation - Core

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 University of Oxford
Student rating (4.2) 916 reviews

COMPLETE TOTAL
WHATUNI RANKING UNIVERSITY GUIDE UNDERGRADUATE
61st / 131 RANKING STUDENTS
2nd 14,545

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Location
University of Oxford NEAREST TRAIN STATION:
University Offices Oxford 0.2 miles away
Wellington Square
Book a train ticket
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX1 2JD
United Kingdom

What we say about University of Oxford

You’re probably already well aware of the University of Oxford, and with over 17,000 people applying for a undergraduate place,
you’re not the only one. So make sure your application stands out, as they’ve only got around 4,500 places to give out each
year.This university has a great ratio of school leaver and mature studiers, as well as full time and part-time students. So no
matter what your circumstances, getting the right grades to apply is all that really matters to their admissions board.Ideal if you:
Academic, highly committed to your subject and want to go to a university which everyone has heard of . Famous Alumni: Fiona
Bruce, Richard Curtis and David Cameron.

What students say about University of Oxford

Rachel, Mathematics MMath 24 Jan 20

OVERALL UNIVERSITY RATING

I have very much enjoyed the best few years here.

JOB PROSPECTS
COURSE AND LECTURERS
STUDENT UNION
They are less central to student experience than college committees

ACCOMMODATION
All very good, cost good

UNI FACILITIES
CITY LIFE
Everything is in cycling distance
CLUBS AND
STUDENT
Gabriel,
OVERALL Mathematics
UNIVERSITY
SUPPORT
SOCIETIESMMath
RATING
24 Jan 20 www.whatuni.com 4
Accommodation, location, teaching, facilities all of a very high standard. Life can be quite intense and sometimes
overwhelmingly busy at points though.

JOB PROSPECTS
COURSE AND LECTURERS
STUDENT UNION
SU largely irrelevant to student life

ACCOMMODATION
Very good, very attractive buildings and fairly well maintained a bit expensive though

UNI FACILITIES
CITY LIFE
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Huge range, not necessarily time to commit to more than a couple though.

STUDENT SUPPORT

View more reviews

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