Anthropology at UB
See the world differently
Anthropology students at the University at Buffalo explore what it means to be human across cultures, places and time. By combining scientific and humanistic perspectives, students study how people live, adapt and create meaning in different societies. Through hands-on research, fieldwork and close faculty mentorship, students learn anthropology by doing it and become part of an active research community from their first semester.
UB combines the breadth of a major research university with the access of a close-knit department.
You will:
- Learn in small, faculty-taught classes where discussion drives insight
- Work alongside professors on real research projects
- Explore archaeology, cultural anthropology, biological anthropology and medical anthropology
- Connect your studies to community partnerships in Buffalo and beyond
- Build skills that prepare you for professional careers or graduate school
Our students come from many backgrounds and bring different experiences and perspectives into the classroom. That exchange strengthens both research and learning.
Why UB?
UB is a place where you can challenge yourself, find your community and build a future. As New York’s flagship public research university, UB gives you the power of an R1 institution and the support of a campus that feels welcoming from day one.
What you’ll experience at UB
- Affordable excellence: Earn a top-tier education at a cost that supports your goals.
- Collaborative community: Learn from faculty and peers who care about your growth.
- Built-in opportunity: Get experience through research, internships and student clubs.
- A vibrant place to live: Buffalo offers friendly neighborhoods, a lively arts and food scene and easy access to Toronto and New York.
The UB difference
UB students get big-university advantages without losing the personal connections that make college meaningful. You’ll join a campus that encourages curiosity, celebrates different perspectives and gives you room to explore your path.
Anthropology at UB is hands-on and interdisciplinary.
Your experience may include:
- Excavating archaeological sites
- Studying primate behavior abroad
- Analyzing artifacts in museum collections
- Conducting ethnographic interviews
- Exploring mock forensic investigations
- Partnering with local organizations
You will work in labs, classrooms and communities. Faculty mentor students closely and support independent research, internships and conference presentations.
Learning beyond the classroom
Anthropology majors at UB do not just study human behavior, they experience it.
Students have opportunities to:
- Work with artifacts in museum collections
- Explore mock crime scenes
- Support refugee and irregular migrant communities in Buffalo
You can also take part in:
- Internships and field schools
- Study abroad programs
- Faculty-led research
- Guest lectures, conferences and community partnerships
If you enjoy learning by doing, you will feel at home here.
An anthropology degree from UB prepares you for flexible, people-centered careers. Graduates pursue:
- Graduate study in anthropology, archaeology and related fields
- Public health, medicine and health policy
- Law, advocacy and social services
- Museums and cultural heritage
- Government, nonprofit and research roles
Students interested in teaching can complete the BA in Anthropology and EdM in Social Studies Education in five years through UB Teach.
> Learn more about the BA in Anthropology and EdM in Social Studies Education
Anthropology at UB offers flexible paths to match your goals.
Undergraduate
Graduate
If you want to understand humanity and gain the tools to work thoughtfully in a complex world, anthropology at UB offers a rigorous and supportive place to begin.