BA Anthropology at Yale University

Programme overview

Anthropology is the study of human cultural, social, and biological diversity from the distant past to the present day and around the world. The undergraduate major in Anthropology introduces students to key topics and approaches in three broad areas, also known as subfields: (1) the evolution of human and nonhuman primates, including the evolutionary biology of living people; (2) the archaeological study of human societies and cultures; (3) social, cultural, and linguistic dimensions of human life. In addition to gaining a broad understanding of these complementary areas of Anthropology, majors develop advanced skills in one or more subfields and may elect to pursue a formal concentration in archaeological, biological, or sociocultural anthropology, or in medical anthropology and global health (see Concentrations).

Faculty: Yale College | Duration: Thirty-six term courses in eight terms of enrollment (Yale College bachelor's degree) | Study mode: full-time | Location: New Haven, CT, United States

What you will study

Number of courses: 12 course credits (incl senior req). Distribution of courses: At least one introductory or intermediate, 1000-2000 level course in each of three subfields; at least three advanced, 3000-4000 level courses (not incl ANTH 4071 , 4091 , or seminar senior essay). Senior requirement: Senior essay in advanced sem; or ANTH 4091 ; or yearlong essay in ANTH 4071 and ANTH 4091 ; students electing a concentration may have additional requirements specific to that concentration

Career pathways

All students write a senior essay, often based on independent research, and many go on to careers that incorporate anthropological perspectives.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Yale College, not to this major (applies to all Yale College programmes). Yale College requires letters of recommendation, a school report with transcript, and ACT or SAT scores; applicants who are non-native English speakers without two or more years in an English-medium school must also submit an English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English or Duolingo English Test). The major has no course prerequisite.

USD 72,500 a year (2026-27). Yale College 2026-2027 tuition (single rate for all Yale College students). Excludes housing, food, optional health insurance, student activities fee and class dues. Source

First-year and transfer applicants apply to begin in the fall semester.

First-year applicants apply through the Common Application, the Coalition Application on SCOIR or the QuestBridge Application. Single-Choice Early Action deadline: November 1. QuestBridge National College Match deadline: November 1. Regular Decision deadline: January 2. Yale does not advantage students by program.

First-year and transfer applicants must include ACT or SAT scores (testing is required); neither exam is preferred.

Transfer applicants submit the Transfer Common Application by March 1 to enter as sophomores or juniors.

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences deadlines (all 11:59 pm Eastern) for fall 2027: December 1, 2026 (e.g. BBS, Chemistry, Economics, History, Linguistics, Psychology, Public Health, Statistics); December 15, 2026 (e.g. American Studies, Anthropology, Applied Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science PhD, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Political Science, Sociology); January 2, 2027 (e.g. African Studies, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Architecture, Computer Science MS, Earth and Planetary Sciences, East Asian Studies, Nursing, Philosophy). Combined programs follow the earlier deadline or December 15.

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences application fee for all degree-seeking applicants is US $105, non-refundable, payable by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express; fee waivers can be requested until January 2.

GRE General Test requirements vary by GSAS program (required, optional or not accepted) for the 2026-2027 cycle.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.yale.edu/apply

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