Anthropology Degree

Student holding skull while measuring width

Anthropology is like history … but messier. 

Whether you’re interested in examining relics, learning how evolution produces long distance runners, or studying decolonization, use lessons from the past to shape the future.

Take the first-year introductory course then, in upper years, you’ll set your focus on what you’re most curious about: archeological, biological, or socio-cultural anthropology. 

Learn data gathering techniques and apply them to field work on real architectural sites. Study abroad, explore a different culture, and get experience at museums or in the field! Or take the co-op stream and earn while you learn.

With your broad understanding of the world’s people and cultures, you’ll graduate with a range of career options: market research, cultural resource management, forensic anthropology, international development, and much more.

What courses will you take in Anthropology?

First-year courses

As an Arts student, you’ll choose your major at the end of first year. You’re encouraged to explore a second major in first year to discover potential new interests.

You will also take an Arts First course in either the fall or winter term of your first year. Instead of going to a lecture hall, you and your classmates will work together to respond to an intriguing challenge. With only 25 students in this course, you might address topics such as The Science of Happiness, Are We Erasing History?, Games and Culture, and Writing About Poems and Songs.

You can choose to study Anthropology through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

Honours Arts

September to December

  • One of:
    • ANTH 100 – Introduction to Anthropology
    • ANTH 105 – Prehistoric Peoples and Places
    • ANTH 106 – Technologies of Being Hums
  • Arts First requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2
  • Two electives

January to April

  • ANTH 201 – Introduction to Archaeology OR ANTH 202 – Social and Cultural Anthropology
  • Arts First requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2
  • Two electives
This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

Honours Arts and Business

September to December

  • ARBUS 101 – Introduction to Business in North America
  • ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • One of:
    • ANTH 100 – Introduction to Anthropology
    • ANTH 105 – Prehistoric Peoples and Places
    • ANTH 106 – Technologies of Being Human
  • Prospective major #2

January to April

  • ARBUS 102 – Accounting Information for Managers
  • ARBUS 202 – Professional and Business Ethics
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • ANTH 201 – Introduction to Archaeology OR ANTH 202 – Social and Cultural Anthropology
  • Prospective major #2

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

40% of the classes you’ll take will be Anthropology courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo or fulfil additional requirements for your chosen entry program.

Sample upper-year courses

ANTH 292 – Skeletons: Sex, Disease, and Death
ANTH 303 – Anthropology of Digital Media
ANTH 355 – Human Osteology
ANTH 455 – Skeletal Biology and Forensics

Customize your degree

You can also include one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students.

Popular areas of focus for Anthropology students include French; History; and Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies.

Faculty:
Faculty of Arts

Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
Yes

Pick from 40+ courses. Choose from more than 40 Anthropology courses, including seminars, field courses, and independent research courses.

Conduct hands-on fieldwork. In upper years, put data-gathering techniques into action by participating in field work on archaeological sites.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample co-op job titles

  • Archaeological field technician
  • Student historical teacher/interpreter
  • Marketing intern
  • Human resources co-op
  • Lab assistant

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

If you choose to study Anthropology through Arts and Business, your first work term will be halfway through second year (January - April 2027).

Year September to December (Fall) January to April (Winter) May to August (Spring)
First Study Study Off
Second Study Co-op Study
Third Co-op Study Co-op
Fourth Study Co-op Co-op
Fifth Study Study -

or after second year (May to August 2027) if you choose to study Anthropology through Honours Arts.

Year September to December (Fall) January to April (Winter) May to August (Spring)
First Study Study Off
Second Study Study Co-op
Third Study Co-op Study
Fourth Co-op Study Co-op
Fifth Co-op Study -

What can you do with a degree in Anthropology?

Waterloo Anthropology graduates typically pursue careers in research, forensic anthropology, and more. They often work in research laboratories, non-profit organizations, museums, and government departments.

Recent graduates

  • Field Archaeologist — Archaeological Services
  • Technical Specialist — Edward Jones Investments
  • Collections Manager — Sharon Temple National Historic Site Museum
  • Scientific Officer — Australian Museum
  • Transit Planner — City of Mississauga
  • Supervising Agent — AIL Traboulay Agency

Learn about the future of careers in arts, humanities, social sciences, languages, and creative arts.

Tuition fees for programs in the Faculty of Arts

First-year tuition

Type of fees Tuition (8 months of school)
Domestic (Ontario residents) $9,000
Domestic (Out of province students) $9,000
International (visa students) $57,000
 
  • Estimated amounts listed include incidental fees. Fees based on 2024-25 tuition rates.
  • Visit our financing page to learn about scholarships, estimate your total expenses, and see how co-op can help pay for your education.

Admissions

Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Anthropology as your major at the end of first year.

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

  • Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of at least 70%)

Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

Related programs

Psychology

Sociology

History

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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, careers?

Please contact Stavros Stavroulias, our Faculty of Arts recruitment co-ordinator who can answer any questions you have.