PhD in Anthropology is a doctorate in Social & Cultural Studies programme taught at University of Calgary in Calgary, Canada. The programme runs for 4 years. Tuition for international students is CAD 2,859 per semester (CAD 1,225 per semester for local students).
This is a Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology at the University of Calgary's Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, delivered on campus and structured around original thesis research defended through written and oral examination. Students select a specialization in either primatology or social and cultural anthropology and take a reading course along with further coursework tailored to their background and research needs. The department's socio-cultural stream spans areas such as militarization, medical anthropology, political economy, globalization, sustainability and urban anthropology, while its biological anthropology stream covers behavioral ecology, conservation, health and nutrition, human osteology, population genetics and paleoanthropology. As a doctoral program, it follows a master's degree and is intended for students who already hold research training in anthropology and want to develop an independent, original research project under faculty supervision. It suits those aiming for academic careers in anthropology or archaeology, as well as research-focused roles in museums, heritage management, government or non-profit organizations that draw on advanced anthropological expertise.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:3.40 / 4.0
Admission Requirements: Admission requires a master's degree in anthropology or equivalent from a recognised institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale over the past two years of full-time study; a supervisor is not required before the programme starts but is required for completion. Applicants submit a Statement of Academic Intent, two reference letters, and must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English; those specialising in social and cultural anthropology also complete fieldwork, plus oral and written candidacy exams. The programme page defers language testing to the Faculty of Graduate Studies' general standard: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0), TOEFL iBT 86 overall (no section below 20), PTE Academic 59, or Duolingo English Test 125 (no sub-score below 105). The application deadline is December 15 for September admission.
Application Details
Start Date:September
Application Deadline:For Fall 2027 entry, the University of Calgary opens undergraduate applications for domestic applicants on 1 October 2026 and for international applicants on 15 August 2026, both closing on the same firm application deadline of 1 March 2027, with supporting documents due by 15 March 2027 and offers accepted by 1 May 2027. International applicants follow the identical March 1 deadline; the university publishes no separate, later international closing date. Applications are not accepted on a rolling basis after the deadline for most direct-entry programmes, though a small number of programmes (e.g. Nursing) run further selection rounds into the summer while space remains. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
