Arch and Anth...

11

Well i've been looking into it and it seems perfect, so whats the catch?

does anyone take arch and anth? can you give me a better idea of the studies than the prospectuses, also, what is the difference between the ox and cam courses - or am i just being stupid?

muchly abliged :biggrin:

Reply 1

amateurish

4

I do Arch & Anth (at Cambridge). It's a really good course. The main difference is that in Oxford you keep all three all the way through (though there are paper options so you can specialise to a certain extent you have to take some element of all of them, I think), while at Cambridge you specialise in one of the three disciplines after the first year. This means that things like compulsory digging apply to everyone in Oxford but only those who take part II archaeology in Cambridge.

As to which is best it really depends on the individual concerned; if you want to study one branch in depth (you don't have to know which one) then apply to Cambridge; if you want to keep a broader range of subjects throughout your degree then apply to Oxford. Also, I think it is a lot smaller at Oxford (only offered at 7 or so colleges) whereas at Cambridge all but one college accept applications for it. Hope that helps - if you have anymore questions feel free to PM.

Reply 2

artorscience?

OP

11

thanks, i think that that will probabally help, i'm not too sure but i think i might go for the broader one... but atleast i don't have to decide yet...

:smile:

Reply 3

CamSPSer

Arch and Anth at Cambridge also allows you to do the possibility of doing Sociology in your first year, not sure about whether this is possible at oxford

Reply 4

buttons7

1

"i don't know why anyone would do arch and anth at cambridge."

that's what i heard an arch&anth-doing friend of mine say once. it wasn't a bitter or snide comment, more of an observation.

however, this is all i know.

Reply 5

gooseymcgoose

11

buttons7

"i don't know why anyone would do arch and anth at cambridge."

time spent helping an archaeology friend revise suggest all of the archaeological frameworks were developed and forefronted here, and that every important archaeologist ever is in the faculty =P

Reply 6

A^^

Sorry new to this site... not sure whether to post this here..

Could I please have some advice....I have taken biology, physics, french and english lit at AS level but no history or geography at either As or GCSE. From reading prospectuses there does not seem to be any specific subject requirements but I would have thought that history and geography would be very useful. Anyone know whether this would be a disadvantage? thanks

Reply 7

anonymous1985

I'm also going to be applying for Arch and Ant - it's so interesting and broad - suits me down to the ground!

Reply 8

Vivien_K

alisdair_123

Sorry new to this site... not sure whether to post this here..

Could I please have some advice....I have taken biology, physics, french and english lit at AS level but no history or geography at either As or GCSE. From reading prospectuses there does not seem to be any specific subject requirements but I would have thought that history and geography would be very useful. Anyone know whether this would be a disadvantage? thanks

Go for it! Biology is highly useful for bio Anth (wish i'd taken it) and the other subjects prove you're an all rounder. I did Eng Lit n French at AS and if I get the grades (crosses fingers) will be starting arch & Anth at Camby this year, I also did history and tbh dont think it would be much use anyway. :smile:

Reply 9

anonymous1985

I liked History :smile:

Reply 10

A^^

Thanks vivien and well done on the offer :smile:

. Depending on grades I think I probably will go for it. Another query.. did you do any work experience and if so what sort of stuff?
thanks

Reply 11

anonymous1985

Go on digs..

Reply 12

naelse

15

I've just finished second year at Cambridge, specialising in Soc Anth. I had no interest in Archaeology and still have never been on a dig. By all means go on a dig if that's what you're into, but there are plenty of people who haven't so don't feel that you need to. Don't bother with work experience unless you already have an idea what you want to do. Just read, do some travelling, go to some museums or whatever: do whatever interests you.

Re: A-levels- Biology will make first year Bio Anth easier, but it's by no means necessary if you're willing to work hard. History and Geography might give you essay writing skills but not really that useful in terms of content (maybe social geog could help you out in the human ecology bit of bio anth but most of it is common sense). By all means, have an idea of what countries exist in which continent and a vague idea what has happened in them- You'll find it a steep learning curve if you've no idea what happened in Bosnia for example.

Reply 13

rachelcee

9

I'm definitely applying for arch/anth too but I'm in a real dilemma about Oxford and Cambridge. I really love the atmosphere at Oxford... the people, the city and all. But I am more inclined towards the course at Cambridge because I would like to specialise in Social Anth and do a bit of Sociology as well. I've just been on a dig in Marcham and I did quite enjoy the archaeology involved so I might change my mind about specialising in Social anth.

Reply 14

rachelcee

9

The Anthropologist

May I ask how your grades are so far rachelcee and what sort of extra.c. stuff you do?

As for mocks but I'm afraid I might have messed up my ASes because I had the worst AS schedule ever (violently ill before my English exam -had a major coughing fit in the middle of it...probably disturbing lots of people in the process- , Chemistry AND history ont he same day!!)...

E.cs aren't really taken into account by oxbridge... i have a long list written down for american uni apps though..hahah arch/anth wise, i've been on a couple of digs, done work exp at two museums and travelled quite a bit. basically i've done things that i really enjoy..not just for oxbridge. i travelled alone to and spent 2 weeks in mongolia recently..it was awesome!

you?

Reply 15

YouAreWhatYouEat

I was thinking of taking this subject at Oxford as it sounds really interesting and up my ally (more so the anthropology side than the archaeology side tbh :smile:

)........

However i was wondering what would the career prospects be from doing this degree???

- I really want to go into Front Office IB so would this be alright for it as it is more arts per say??? Does anyone know of any students they are currently with or previous students who have gone into this career field???

Thanks :tsr2:

Reply 16

Vivien_K

alisdair_123

Thanks vivien and well done on the offer :smile:

. Depending on grades I think I probably will go for it. Another query.. did you do any work experience and if so what sort of stuff?
thanks

I've been a volunteer at a museum for a few years and been on a few training digs. :smile:

Reply 17

rachelcee

9

what kinda questions did they ask you at your interview? my grasp of current affairs isn't quite at its best at the moment..

Reply 18

rachelcee

9

Vivien_K

I've been a volunteer at a museum for a few years and been on a few training digs. :smile:

Vivien_K, I heard the corpus christi arch/anth DoS favours breast size more than intelligence when it comes to interviewing arch/anther wannabes! haha.

Reply 19

rachelcee

9

gooseymcgoose

time spent helping an archaeology friend revise suggest all of the archaeological frameworks were developed and forefronted here, and that every important archaeologist ever is in the faculty =P

are there none in the oxford faculty? *starts to worry*

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