Anthropology and Heritage

ANU is a leading international centre for teaching and research in Anthropology and Heritage Studies, with specialists whose interests touch each corner of the globe. The field encompasses Anthropology (including biological anthropology; culture, health and medicine; development studies; forensic anthropology; human evolutionary biology; and visual anthropology) and Museum and Heritage Studies (including cultural and environmental heritage; museums and collections; and museum education and heritage interpretation).

Anthropology is the study of cultural differences and similarities in a globalised world, utilising a distinctive methodology—long-term ethnographic fieldwork. As a field of study, Anthropology is uniquely placed to interpret the widest range of contemporary social phenomena—from migration to religious fundamentalism, online communities and new social movements, and many changing forms of social relationships. Biological Anthropology is the branch of anthropology that focuses on the evolutionary and biological aspects of humankind. Heritage Studies examines our expression of the past through material culture, museums, cultural events and performance and the processes of remembering, forgetting and commemoration. Development Studies focuses on the challenge of inequality and the industry of promoting economic growth and human development in the Global South.

Check the Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies website for more information on the faculty, research, projects, latest news, upcoming events and more.

Check the School of Archaeology & Anthropology website for more information on the faculty, research, projects, latest news, upcoming events and more.

*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

^Times Higher Education - Global University Employability Ranking 2023-24

Key facts

1 in Australia & 9 for Anthropology in World* and
1 in Australia & 10 for Development Studies in World*

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

Degree programs

Bachelor of Arts

Key facts

3 in Australia
38 for Arts and Humanities in World*

3 year full-time
Semester 1 & 2 intake

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

UAC Code: 131003
CRICOS Code: 074016B
Graduate Certificate of Cross-Cultural Analysis

Key facts

1 in Australia 
9 for Anthropology in World*

0.5 Year FT or 1 Year PT
Semester 1 intake

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

Graduate Certificate of Museum and Heritage Studies

Key facts

1 Year PT
Semester 1 & 2 intake

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

UAC Code: 830071
Graduate Certificate of Studies

Key facts

0.5 Year FT or 3 Years PT
Semester 1 & 2 intake

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

UAC Code: 830584
CRICOS Code: 082261M
Graduate Certificate of the Repatriation of Ancestral Remains and Cultural Objects

Key facts

0.5 Year
Semester 1 intake

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

Master of Anthropology and Planetary Futures

Key facts

1 in Australia
9 for Anthropology in World*

1 year full-time
Semester 1 & 2 intake

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

CRICOS Code: 114811F
Master of Archaeological and Evolutionary Science

Key facts

1 in Australia
8 for Archaeology in World*

2 years full-time
Semester 1 & 2 intake

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

UAC Code: 830009
CRICOS Code: 096399M
Master of Heritage Tourism Management

Key facts

1.5 years full-time
Semester 1 & 2 intake

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

CRICOS Code: 114601E
Master of Museum and Heritage Studies

Key facts

1 year full-time
Semester 1 & 2 intake

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

PhD & MPhil

Key facts

2-4 Year FT or 4-8 Year PT
Semester 1 & 2 intake

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

Hear from our students

You can’t really know what a role involves until you actually do the job and give it a go. So I felt glad that I was able to do it at an early point in my degree.
Nicole O’Dowd , Master of Museum and Heritage Studies

My brilliant career

At ANU I was lucky enough to be taught by some of the best academics in the country and there was a lot of flexibility within my degree to do more research based projects which enabled me to focus on what I wanted to learn.
Charlee-Sue Frail , Bachelor of Arts

Watch the video

View discipline flyers

Anthropology (major/minor)
Anthropology discipline flyer
(PDF, 4.93 MB )
Bachelor of Arts
 Bachelor of Arts flyer
(PDF, 3.99 MB )
Biological Anthropology (major/minor)
Biological Anthropology flyer
(PDF, 3 MB )
Graduate Certificate of Cross-Cultural Analysis
Graduate Certificate of Cross-Cultural Analysis flyer
(PDF, 812.92 KB )
Graduate Certificate of Museum and Heritage Studies
Graduate Certificate of Museum and Heritage Studies flyer
(PDF, 3.27 MB )
Graduate Certificate of Studies
Graduate Certificate of Studies flyer
(PDF, 5.06 MB )
Graduate Certificate of the Repatriation of Ancestral Remains and Cultural Objects
Graduate Certificate of the Repatriation of Ancestral Remains and Cultural Objects
(PDF, 123.95 KB )
Master of Anthropology and Planetary Futures
(PDF, 770.23 KB )
Master of Heritage Tourism Management
Master of Heritage Tourism Management flyer
(PDF, 4.08 MB )
Master of Museum and Heritage Studies
(PDF, 2.64 MB )

Learn more

Check our series of videos about degree programs, majors and disciplines, and research strengths for your enjoyment.

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