PhD Anthropology at University of Virginia

Programme overview

Trains anthropologists in four subfields: anthropological archaeology, linguistic anthropology, medical anthropology and sociocultural anthropology, with emphasis on history and theory, ethnographic and analytical methods, and field research preparation.

Faculty: Graduate School of Arts & Sciences | Department: Anthropology | Intake: Admissions are biennial (odd years); not admitting this cycle, next cycle 2027-2028. | Study mode: full-time | Location: Charlottesville, VA, United States

What you will study

Small seminars, workshops, research groups and a department-wide colloquium series.

Career pathways

University or college professor; archaeologist or field researcher; sociocultural or linguistic researcher; community-engaged program coordinator; cultural resource specialist; applied anthropologist in government or nonprofits; museum or cultural heritage professional.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (all master's and PhD programs, University of Virginia): online application with a 500-1,000 word statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation (some programs require more), unofficial transcripts of all post-secondary study, and an $85 non-refundable application fee. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is expected. GRE is not required unless noted for the programme (required for Economics, Sociology, Statistics; Physics GRE required for Physics). International applicants need TOEFL iBT 90 (22 speaking, 22 writing, 23 reading, 23 listening), IELTS 7.0 in each section, or Duolingo English Test 130 overall unless waived (automatic waiver for undergraduate degrees earned entirely in English-medium instruction); committees may consider scores below these minimums. Enrolling students without an English-medium undergraduate degree take the UVA English Language Proficiency Exam in May before their first term. A writing sample is required for this programme.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Application fees (2026-27): undergraduate $75; Graduate School of Arts & Sciences $85; Architecture $80; Batten graduate $75; Darden non-PhD $250, Darden PhD $100; Data Science $85; Education and Human Development $65; Law $85; McIntire graduate $85; Medicine $80; Nursing $88; SCPS $70; Graduate Engineering no fee.

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