School: College of Arts and Law, School of History and Cultures, Department of African Studies and Anthropology (jointly run with the Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology). This integrated joint honours degree allows you to understand the nature of human societies, the material worlds they inhabit, and the extraordinary variety of cultural life across all time periods, from the Palaeolithic to the present day. The program adopts a hands-on approach, combining the contemporary, critical, and globally comparative perspective of social anthropology with the study of material remains of past societies and environments through archaeology. You will explore topics such as rituals, beliefs, social structures, human evolution, and archaeologies of the world. There is a strong emphasis on student choice, small-group teaching, individual research, and thematic study. The curriculum equips students with a unique blend of practical, intellectual, and transferable skills in critical analysis, research, and communication, by learning to understand different worldviews, work with diverse kinds of data, and conduct detailed research.

Graduates develop highly valued transferable skills including critical thinking, research, analytical reasoning, teamwork, and effective communication, which are applicable across a wide range of sectors. Career paths include: Archaeologist (commercial/contract archaeology, heritage agencies), Heritage Manager, Museum/Gallery Curator or Education Officer, Conservator, Academic Researcher, International Development, NGOs, Human Resources, Marketing and PR, Market Research, Management Consultancy, Social Research, Civil Service, Government (e.g., policy analysis), Journalism, Media, Education. Many graduates also pursue further postgraduate study (MA, PhD) in Anthropology, Archaeology, Heritage Studies, or related fields. The University of Birmingham is consistently among the most targeted universities by top UK employers.

The University of Birmingham is a member of the UK's prestigious Russell Group, known for its world-leading research and excellent teaching. It is a highly ranked red brick university in the heart of England, offering a strong academic reputation. Birmingham is the UK's second-largest city and is very multicultural, providing a dynamic and diverse environment for studying human societies. The Department of African Studies and Anthropology, and the Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology, are highly rated for their research (Archaeology was Top 10 in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025). Students benefit from exceptional learning resources, including environmental and material culture teaching collections, the Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum, and the Eton Myers Collection and Danford Collection of African art and artefacts. The university offers a supportive environment with personalized academic support and significant fieldwork opportunities and work placements.