Department of Anthropology | PhD Biological Anthropology

PhD Biological Anthropology at Durham University

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Anthropology PhD students can take either a Socio-Cultural or Biological Anthropology route. Both routes last three years and are examined by thesis. We encourage prospective PhD students to make informal contact with a member of the academic staff to discuss their application at an early stage.

Within the first few months of study, students will agree a work plan with their supervisors and identify any training needs, which may involve attending modules from our Masters programmes as appropriate.

Students are encouraged to attend our writing seminars designed for research students. This seminar series brings together both pre and post-fieldwork students to discuss reports of fieldwork in progress, draft chapters written by students and recent publications of relevance to students' work.

All PhD students are required to produce a 7,000 word progression report towards the end of their 1st year. This will be examined by two internal examiners who will hold a progression viva at which the student and examiners will discuss the progression script. Upon successfully passing their progression viva students will be permitted to proceed with their PhD research.

Students should aim to complete their research and write-up, and to submit their thesis by the end of their 3rd year.

As an Anthropology student, you will have access to the Department’s highly respected research laboratories including the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre, Behavioural & Ecological Physiology Lab, Physical Activity Lab, the South Africa Field Station and to Material Culture & Skeletal Collections.

Our Anthropology postgraduates are well-placed to build on the research-led teaching the Department offers. Many continue their academic careers by carrying out further research into the complex and diverse nature of humanity.

Durham courses develop a depth of practical skills and knowledge about understanding behaviour and society that are hugely applicable to the workplace environment and are highly sought after by employers in the UK and internationally.

Such attributes and qualities are easily transferable to a range of stimulating and rewarding professional careers. Our postgraduates have secured roles in development, health, government, policy, social research, culture, heritage, consultancy, education and media.

Recent postgraduates have moved into roles with employers that include Save the Children, HM Prison Service, Civil Service, Durham University, VSO, Office for National Statistics, National Graduate Development Programme (the local authority graduate scheme) and non-governmental organisations such as Concern Universal and Kenwa.

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