BA & BSc major
Our BA and BSc programs offer a strong grounding in cultural anthropology, archaeology and biological anthropology. Our programs offer the flexibility to pursue your anthropological interests.
We know that people satisfied in their careers often combine a passion for what they do with knowledge and skills gained through education. The career paths open to anthropology students are as diverse as the wide-ranging interests and passions that our students bring to their studies.
In the BA program students combine their passion for anthropology with a broad range of electives in anthropology and other subjects. The BSc program is designed for students who want to combine their passions for the anthropological sciences, particularly in biological anthropology and archaeology, with a strong foundation in related sciences.
Admissions
Learn everything you need to know about becoming a UVic student, from choosing a program and reviewing admission requirements to submitting your application and reporting your grades.
If you have questions, talk to a student recruiter or attend one of our events.
Courses
See the University Calendar for a list of all ANTH courses.
Funding
UVic offers scholarships, bursaries, awards and other funding opportunities to help you further your education and succeed in your studies. Explore funding options at UVic.
Most scholarships are awarded based on recommendations made by the department. However, some require a separate application form.
Awards for anthropology students
Anthropology scholarship and award winners
Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)
The Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Award (JCURA) supports students who complete a research project under the mentorship of a faculty supervisor.
Full-time third- and fourth-year students with a GPA of 7.0 or above are eligible to apply. Each successful student receives a $1,500 credit in their UVic account.
Valerie Kuehne Undergraduate Research Awards (VKURA)
Valerie Kuehne Undergraduate Research Awards (VKURA) give first- and second-year students the opportunity to gain research experience with a faculty member. Paid research internships are full-time for 12 weeks (between May 1 and August 31).
Honours
Third- and fourth-year honours students conduct original research under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Learn advanced research methods that aren’t covered in regular coursework. Gain access to small courses restricted to top students.
Write your honours essay alongside a cohort of like-minded students who share ideas and support in the Honours Seminar (ANTH 499).
Get details on our honours program.
Career options
Our graduates have found careers in fields like education, research, public health and cultural resource management. Some work with Indigenous communities and other groups are working towards reconciliation in Canada.
Career Services can help you develop a career you love. From exploring career options to applying for jobs, they've got you covered.
Some career options for anthropology majors
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Devon Bidal, Anthropology - BSc with distinction (2019)
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Multimedia Journalist, Saanich News and Black Press Media
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Devon joined Saanich News as a Multimedia Journalist in June 2019. She covers news relating to Saanich and Greater Victoria. Bidal studied Biological Anthropology and Journalism at the University of Victoria and graduated with a Bachelor of Science. She started her career in journalism as a volunteer and then a senior staff writer at The Martlet, UVic's independent newspaper. Her work has also been published in The Martlet, Monday Magazine, Black Press Media papers across B.C. and in the first volume of the Anthology of Social Justice and Intersectional Feminisms.
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- Nicole Crescenzi, Anthropology and Professional Writing - BA (2013)
- Associate Producer, On the Island / All Points West, CBC Radio One
- Nicole has always been interested in people and their stories. As an Associate Producer for CBC Radio One in Victoria, she seeks out stories that will resonate with the Canadian public. Along with researching and pitching these stories to producers, her role includes preparing interviews, doing news breaks and audio editing.
- Sam Dunn, Anthropology - BA (1998)
- Film Director, Musician, Anthropologist, Banger Films Inc.
- Sam Dunn is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and the co-founder of Banger Films. From UVic, he went on to earn his master's degree in Anthropology at York University, then embarked on his first documentary film, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005), which won a Gemini Award for best writing in a documentary. He co-directed the biggest-ever TV series on the history of heavy metal, Metal Evolution, which reached #1 on VH1 Classic and MuchMoreMusic, and co-directed the Peabody Award-winning series Hip-Hop Evolution. Read more
- Honourable Marion Buller, Anthropology - BA (1975), LLB (1987)
- Chancellor, University of Victoria, British Columbia
- Marion was appointed the first woman First Nations judge in BC in 1994 and was appointed as chief commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in 2016. Among her many accomplishments, she was instrumental in starting the First Nations Court of British Columbia in 2006.
Co-op
Our optional co-operative education (co-op) program gives you hands-on paid work experience related to what you're studying. It's the perfect way to develop your skills and find a career you love.
Learn more about:
Sample jobs & employers
Anthropology students have had co-op placements like:
- trip facilitator with Me to We in Kenya
- documentarian and archaeologist in Ghana
- heritage interpreter and guide in Drumheller, Alberta
- Chinatown street interpreter in the historic town of Barkerville, BC
Hands-on learning
Our courses will take you out in the field and into the real world. Our hands-on learning approach lets you develop skills and perspectives you can apply to many careers.
Working in small groups, you'll gain transferable skill sets like:
- videography and film editing
- techniques to study human and animal bones
- archaeological excavation and lab methods
- mapping and landscape analysis
- data collection methods
- interviewing
- database management
Field schools
You'll find our students digging at archaeological sites, observing primates in the rainforest or conducting cross-cultural health research in downtown Victoria. Previous field schools have taken place in Cuba; Drimolen, South Africa; Hakai, BC and Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Learn about our field schools.
Volunteering
Interested in volunteering in the department? There are often volunteer possibilities in the archaeology labs. You can also ask faculty members if they need a volunteer.
Minors & specializations
A minor is an optional program that allows you to study in an area outside of your major program area. A minor in anthropology requires:
- 6 units of courses numbered at the 100 or 200 level
- 9 units of courses numbered at the 300 or 400 level