Psychology and Anthropology

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.

Why Durham University?

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.
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.
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.

Psychology
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.

Facilities
Anthropology - 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 - 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.

Rankings

Anthropology
Top 30 in the QS World University Rankings 2024
3rd in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
5th in the Complete University Guide 2025
5th in the Guardian University Guide 2025

Psychology
World Top 100 in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Top 20 in the Complete University Guide 2025
Top 20 in the Guardian University Guide 2025

Careers Opportunities

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

For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.

Assessment varies by module, but may include written essays, examinations, presentations, research projects, practical reports, scientific articles, podcasts, museum displays and outreach activities.

Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning, with a particular focus on learning how to carry out your own research.

In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/

In your final year you will produce an interdisciplinary dissertation which makes up one-third of your final-year credits.