
The Anthropology at University of California, Santa Cruz is a Bachelor program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered on campus at the university's main campus in Santa Cruz , United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 4 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on August 22, 2027.
About Bachelor of Anthropology
The Anthropology Undergraduate Program incorporates three subfields of anthropology: anthropological archaeology, cultural anthropology, and biological anthropology. Students take courses in all three subfields in order to develop a multifaceted perspective on being human.
Study and Research Opportunities
- B.A. program in Anthropology with courses in archaeology, cultural anthropology, and biological anthropology
- Undergraduate minor in Anthropology
- Combined B.A. degree in Earth Sciences/Anthropology
- Ph.D. program in Anthropology with concentrations in archaeology or cultural anthropology
- Independent study courses available for students interested in lab work, internships, and independent research
The Archaeology and Biological Anthropology Laboratories are dedicated to teaching and research in both anthropological archaeology and biological anthropology. Within the labs are spaces for the study of ceramics, lithics, spatial archaeology (GIS), zooarchaeology, comparative anatomy and osteology, and forensic anthropology. The laboratories maintain collections related to local Monterey Bay archaeology, as well as comparative vertebrate osteology and taphonomic specimens.
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Anthropology at University of California, Santa Cruz
Entry Requirements
3.4GPA
For nonresidents
English Requirements
- IELTSMin 6.5
- TOEFLMin 80
English Program Requirements
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Overall band score of 6.5 or higher*, includes IELTS Indicator Exam (through fall 2022)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test or 80 on the Internet-based test, includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition (fall 2021 only)
- SAT (March 2016 or later) Writing & Language Test: 31 or higher
- SAT (prior to March 2016) Writing Exam: 560 or higher
- ACT combined English-Writing or English Language Arts portion: 24 or higher
- AP English Language and Composition, or English Literature and Composition: 3, 4, or 5
- IB Standard Level examination in English: Literature, or Language and Literature: 6 or 7
- IB Higher Level examination in English: Literature, or Language and Literature: 5, 6, or 7
- Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum score of 115 (through fall 2022)
Career Opportunities after Completing Bachelor of Anthropology
- Anthropology is an excellent major for students considering careers that involve communication, writing, critical analysis of information, and high levels of cultural interaction. Anthropology graduates pursue careers in fields such as: advertising, city planning, education/teaching, forensics, journalism, marketing, medicine/health care, politics, public health, social work, museums, writing, systems analysis, environmental consulting, community development, and law. Students interested in research and teaching in anthropology usually continue on to graduate school as professional employment in the field typically requires an advanced degree.
Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Anthropology at University of California, Santa Cruz
How to Apply for Bachelor of Anthropology at University of California, Santa Cruz
To apply to UC Santa Cruz, fill out and submit the online application. The application is common to all University of California campuses, and you’ll be asked to choose which campuses you want to apply for. The application for admission also serves as an application for scholarships.
Our campus is open for new freshmen and transfer students each fall quarter, and we are open for transfer students in selected majors for winter quarter.
The application fee is $70 for U.S. students. If you apply to more than one University of California campus at the same time, you’ll need to submit $70 for each UC campus you apply to. Fee waivers are available for students with qualifying family incomes. The fee for international applicants is $80 per campus.
Applicants for fall 2022: The UC Application opened on August 1, 2021, and the filing period is November 1-30, 2021.
Applicants for winter 2023: The UC Application will open on July 1, 2022, and the filing period is July 1-31, 2022.

United States of America, Santa Cruz