Top Universities for Anthropology in 2022-2023

Best global colleges and universities offering Anthropology programs

About Anthropology

Anthropology is the scientific study of human origins, cultures, practices, and interrelations. The experts who study humans from different perspectives to gather information regarding both past and present aspects of the human race are known as anthropologists. Based on their research, anthropologists come up with theories that are then applied to different dimensions of humanity, across time and space. These theories are proven to be helpful in solving real-world problems related to education, the environment, and human health.

For anyone who is interested in learning about human ancient civilizations, biology, and linguistic patterns, anthropology is the best career option for them. This article aims to cover the top anthropology universities in the world, the types of degrees available, career opportunities, and average salaries for all students wanting to pursue anthropology.

Duties of an Anthropologist

Since anthropologists study such complex topics related to past and present aspects of humanity, their duties vary from one day to the next. One day they could be visiting an ancient site to collect data, and the next day they might be sitting in their office analyzing that data. Here are a handful of the duties they perform:

• Investigate historical art and artifacts to learn more about ancient civilizations
• Assist in the preservation of ancient treasures for future generations
• Gather data through observations, interviews, and documentation
• Record and manage field observations
• Analyze data from samples and other sources to identify patterns of human origins, life, and culture
• Prepare reports and theories on their findings and present the results of their research
• Personalize data gathering methods for better outcomes
• Collaborate with other team members 
• Keep up to date with recent advances and findings in the field of anthropology

Popular degrees for pursuing a career in Anthropology

To become an anthropologist, students can enroll in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs in anthropology. Furthermore, students can pick between arts degrees, which provide a broader anthropology education, or science degrees, which provide a more concentrated anthropology education. A bachelor’s degree in anthropology, for example, can be either a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or a bachelor of science (B.S.) in anthropology. Also, arts degrees require fewer credits compared to science degrees in anthropology. Most of these programs include field or laboratory work, providing students with hands-on experience and specialized training in their chosen subject. The following is a list of some of the best undergraduate, postgraduate, and P.h.D degrees in anthropology.

Bachelor’s programs

• B.A. in Anthropology
• B.S. in Anthropology
• B.A. in Archaeology
• B.S. in Archaeology

Master’s programs

• M.A. in Anthropology
• M.S. in Anthropology
• Master of Biological Anthropology
• Master of Sociocultural Anthropology
• Master of Linguistic Anthropology
• Master of Archaeology

Doctoral programs

• PhD. in Anthropology
• PhD. in Medical Anthropology
• PhD. in Bioarchaeology
• PhD. in Sociocultural Anthropology
• PhD. in Evolutionary Anthropology

Specializations in Anthropology

There are four major areas for specializations in anthropology. 

• Cultural/Social anthropology
• Biological anthropology
• Linguistic anthropology
• Archaeology

Let us discuss each one by one for students to better identify their areas of interest.

Cultural/Social anthropology: This subset also referred to as “ethnology”, studies human culture to understand how people perceive themselves and the people around them to help solve social problems around the world. 

Biological anthropology: This involves the study of human evolution to understand how evolutionary mechanisms, genetics, and environmental stressors create human diversity and adaptability over time. It encompasses three key fields of study: human biology, primatology, and paleoanthropology.

Linguistic anthropology: It investigates the evolution of human languages and communication, including verbal, written, and nonverbal forms. This aids in comprehending socio-cultural impacts perceptions of reality.

Archaeology: The field of archaeology investigates humankind by unearthing and examining the artifacts that people have created and left behind to build a picture of the evolution of human behavior and culture. Although considered a subset of anthropology, archaeology in itself is a broad subject linking many disciplines, such as geography, history, and social sciences. Even some top universities offer specialized courses in archaeology. 

Duration of programs in Anthropology

To advance beyond entry-level jobs to administrative and executive positions, a master’s or a doctoral degree is crucial in anthropology.  After earning their master’s in anthropology specializations, the majority of potential candidates pursue a Ph.D. to become professors and scientists. The following table compiles the average duration of anthropology degrees. 

Career opportunities in Anthropology

Anthropologists can work in a variety of settings, from exploring ancient remains to examining language and speech trends in an office. Anthropologists will be in high demand because they can assist businesses in expanding and exploring markets, allowing them to better serve their clients or target new demographic groups by researching specific cultures or social groups. Here is a list of some popular career opportunities in the field:

• Anthropologists
• Archaeologists
• Historians
• Political Scientists
• Sociologists
• Geographers
• Forensic Science Technicians
• Lawyers
• Legislators
• Museum Curator
• Linguist
• Social Worker
• Geologist
• Ecologist

Average salaries for Anthropologists

Graduates in anthropology are employed by the government, private organizations, NGOs and universities. Pay is determined by the job type, location, experience, and educational level. Overall, anthropologists are well rewarded around the world, as seen in the table below:

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.

Top 50 universities in the world for Anthropology based on world rankings (Shanghai/QS/THE)

Top universities in the USA for Anthropology

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), anthropology is expected to expand by 7% between 2020 and 2030, creating a lot of job opportunities for students pursuing a degree in anthropology. Therefore, anthropology is one of the top careers to study in the USA. Furthermore, the USA leads the world in terms of educational quality, and undergraduate anthropology degrees are plentiful. Students who want to specialize in anthropology to improve their earning potential can go for master’s degrees in anthropology. 

Top universities in the UK for Anthropology

The QS ranking has rated the University of Oxford as one of the best universities to study anthropology. Their master’s courses in anthropology, such as MSc in Social Anthropology, MSc in Medical Anthropology, and MSc in Visual, Material, and Museum Anthropology, are some of the best anthropology graduate programs in the UK. They also offer bachelor’s courses in anthropology for students to get started in anthropology. Here is a list of all the top anthropology universities to study in the UK.

Top universities in Australia for Anthropology

Many international students prefer to study in Australia due to its long-standing history of welcoming international students. Also, it has one of the world’s greatest immigrant rates. The majority of master’s in anthropology programs in Australia are focused on social or cultural anthropology, with a few exceptions for biological anthropology. There are B.A. and B.S. options available, with respect to the bachelor’s courses offered by Australian universities in anthropology. The table below lists some of the best Australian colleges for anthropology. 

Top universities in Canada for Anthropology

International students prefer studying in Canada because of its high standard of living, economic independence, and excellent learning programs. The scope of traditional courses such as anthropology has expanded in Canada. But doctoral and postgraduate anthropology degrees are in higher demand since they pay generously. The following is a list of some of Canada’s top universities offering a variety of master’s and bachelor’s degrees in anthropology. 

Top universities in the Netherlands for Anthropology

The Netherlands is a non-Anglophone country, but approximately 95% of its locals speak English. Therefore, Dutch universities offer a lot of courses in English. Although there are only a few universities in the Netherlands that provide graduate and undergraduate anthropological courses, it is one of the most well-known teaching programs in the country. Universities such as the University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University, and Leiden University provide some of the best graduate anthropology programs in the Netherlands. 

Academic requirements for studying Anthropology

Knowledge of history, or other social sciences, math, statistics, physical sciences, biology, chemistry, and language (both English and foreign) is very useful for getting into the best anthropology colleges in the world, particularly when writing a statement of purpose. Also, students should make sure that they apply to respectable, accredited universities.

The following are some of the accrediting agencies in the USA:

• New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
• The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Here are some of the academic requirements requested by top universities for anthropology throughout the world.

Bachelor’s level

• A high school diploma with a GPA of 3.0 or greater out of 4.0
• Academic transcripts 
• Valid passport
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation letter
• English language proficiency (TOEFL 90 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)

Master’s level

• A bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or a relevant field with a GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Academic transcripts 
• Valid passport
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation letters
• Work experience (highly recommended) 
• English language proficiency (TOEFL 90 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)