Field schools
Anthropology has a long and rich tradition of conducting research in "the field." You’ll find our students digging at archaeological sites, observing primates in the rainforest, studying social processes in international settings or conducting cross-cultural health research in downtown Victoria.
A field school consists of one or more field courses taught in the field. You’ll learn anthropological fieldwork and contribute to original research findings. Individual field courses can be held in Victoria so you can develop specific skills closer to home.
Field schools and individual field courses prepare you for advanced coursework. You’ll learn valuable, practical skills that can help you find work in anthropological settings.
You can't really know if you want to be an archaeologist until you have spent a week face-down in a wet pit. Attending a field school helps you better understand how research and data analysis work in practice.
Upcoming field schools
2025 Mexico Ethnographic Field School
Field School Dates: May 11 - 31, 2025
Information sessions:
- Tuesday October 22, 2024, 11:30 - 12:30, COR B237
- Thursday October 24, 2024, 11:30 - 12:30, COR B237
Past field schools
The 2024 Cuba Ethnographic Field School (May 27–June 17, 2024) offered students the opportunity to discover the unique cultural and social dynamics that characterize the largest island of the Caribbean.
Funding
Students travelling to field schools may be eligible for travel assistance. Learn about funding for field schools.
Learning at other institutions
If you’re thinking of taking courses or field schools elsewhere as part of your degree, you have 2 options:
- Participating in a formal exchange program
- Studying on a letter of permission (including field and language schools)
You should talk with our undergraduate adviser about any courses or field schools you want to take elsewhere.
Visiting from other institutions
If you’re not a UVic student, but are thinking of taking our courses or field schools as part of your degree please visit UVic Admissions page to see which admission category would apply.
You should also speak with your undergraduate adviser to ensure you follow your institution’s steps to apply credits, etc.