Main menu
Staff & students
In this section
Full-time
Apply direct with us

UK and international students need to apply through UCAS.  Except those inside the Crimea Region/Sevastopol, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) / Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), Cuba, Iran, North Korea or Syria who need to use our alternative application form.

Course information

Entry requirements

UCAS code

L601

Length

2 years (Foundation) + 3 years (undergraduate degree)

Department

Anthropology

Course overview

This is a five-year degree at Goldsmiths. If you successfully achieve the progression requirements of the foundation years, you can continue with the full-time three-year BA (Hons) Anthropology degree.

Why study the Integrated Degree in Anthropology Open Book Pathway at Goldsmiths

It's an ideal way to return to education

This programme is ideal if you have been out of education for a while, or have suffered social exclusion for any reason. The part-time pathway gives you extra time to adjust to academic study, and we provide lots of specially tailored support, from staff who share your experiences and concerns.

Become part of the award-winning Open Book programme

You'll become part of the award-winning Open Book programme, which supports people from non-traditional backgrounds that may include addiction, offending, and mental health challenges. Open Book also offers support to people who have never truly considered further and higher education as any kind of route to enhancing their future career choices and personal development. 

There are no formal entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for the Integrated Degree, you just need to have an interest in the subject. You can tell us about your interests and experiences at an informal meeting, an interview, or in your application form, and everyone who applies is assessed on their individual merits.

You'll get tailored support

You'll benefit from support tailored to your particular circumstances, with invitations to participate in Open Book activities throughout your time at Goldsmiths. You'll also attend a study skills course as part of the programme, to develop your abilities in this area.

You'll immerse yourself in a fascinating subject

You'll learn about anthropology, human society and cultural difference, and will examine globalisation and visual anthropology. If you successfully achieve the progression requirements of the foundation years, you can continue with the full-time three-year BA Anthropology degree. You'll learn from experts in the Department of Anthropology, rated top 10 in the UK for anthropology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact the Programme Convenor, Sarah Lambert.

Watch videos about your course

What you'll study

Note about optional modules (if available): The below is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.

Year 1 (credit level 3)

In the first year of the part-time Open Book pathway you take the following compulsory modules:

Module title Credits
Modern Cultures in Interdisciplinary Focus 30 credits
Academic Literacies 30 credits

Year 2 (credit level 3)

In the second year you take the following compulsory anthropology modules:

Module title Credits
Ways into Anthropology 30 credits
Contemporary Issues in Anthropology 30 credits

Teaching style

This programme is mainly taught through scheduled learning - a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.

The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*:

  • Year 1 - 17% scheduled learning, 83% independent learning
  • Year 2 - 27% scheduled learning, 83% independent learning
  • Year 3 - 13% scheduled learning, 87% independent learning
  • Year 4 - 12% scheduled learning, 89% independent learning

How you’ll be assessed

You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, group work and projects.

The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*:

  • Year 1 - 90% coursework, 10% practical
  • Year 2 - 63% coursework, 38% written exam
  • Year 3 - 88% coursework, 13% practical
  • Year 4 - 100% coursework

*Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2019/20. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Find out more about .

Download the programme specification.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entrance requirements, but you need to demonstrate an interest in and aptitude for the subject, and the ability to benefit from studying the programme.

International qualifications

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Alternative qualifications

See our full list of undergraduate entry qualifications.

We welcome students with a range of educational experiences. If you believe you may not meet the standard qualification requirements we would still encourage you to apply because we consider all aspects of your application when making a decision.

We’ll pay particularly careful attention to your personal statement, which is your opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the subject you’ve applied for. Your referees are also welcome to include any relevant contextual comments around your academic achievements. We’ll look at all these things when making a decision on your application, as well as your qualifications and grades.

Fees & funding

To find out more about your fees, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, and our careers service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies. Find out more about funding your studies with us.

Careers

Skills

If you successfully achieve the progression requirements of the foundation years, you can continue with the full-time three-year BA (Hons) Anthropology, which will enable you to develop the following skills:

  • Communication skills (including public speaking, developing and presenting an argument, note taking, report writing)
  • Analytical thinking
  • Awareness of social, political and cultural processes

The particular set of skills associated with anthropology, including development of awareness of social and cultural difference, and learning to think ‘outside the box’, provides a good foundation for a number of career paths.

Careers

Our students have been successful in a range of areas, from postgraduate research and teaching in higher education, to filmmaking and other media careers, journalism, and museum curating, to applied or advocacy work for NGOs and development agencies.

Our particular emphasis on public anthropology encourages our students to explore options in a range of practice-based and public sector career paths. You can find out more about career paths after an Anthropology degree on our Anthropology careers page.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.