Bachelor in Biology, Anthropology and Archaeology
UCLouvain (Université catholique de Louvain)
Information last verified July 2026
Program Overview
In addition to its biological dimensions and evolutionary history among the primates, the human being is characterized by its organization into complex societies of individuals sharing common values and cultural traits, which have evolved since its appearance some 200,000 years ago. Understanding humanity's past history, understanding how it functions today, and anticipating its development in a world undergoing major changes are all steps that require us to integrate the many facets of the human being. While university courses tend to deal separately with the biological, anthropological and archaeological aspects of human societies, this new Bachelor's program in biology, anthropology and archaeology - the only one of its kind in Europe - aims to combine these three related disciplines and thus envisage, study and understand human beings in all their complexity. The program is co-organized by the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Letters (FIAL), the Faculty of Science (SC) and the Faculty of Economics, Social Sciences, Politics and Communication (ESPO). Biology considers the anchoring of the human being in the dynamics and laws of the living world. Anthropology approaches the human being as a social and cultural being, and archaeology, finally, examines the material evidence of the presence and action of men and women of the past in close connection with their natural and social environment.
Career Opportunities
At the end of this bachelor's degree, you will be able to rigorously analyze the human being within the living world, and within historical and contemporary societies and cultures, and to grasp contemporary global and local changes and issues. You will be particularly well-equipped to navigate a world of relationships between individuals, perceiving the similarities and differences between the human species and the other species that make up biodiversity, as well as the relationships that exist between all these interdependent species, including human societies. At the end of your Master's degree in archaeology, armed with a solid theoretical background and a number of professional experiences, you'll be able to move into the heritage and archaeology professions, working in excavation and prevention departments, or in the management of public or private archaeological and scientific collections in museums; into the organization of cultural events, as an exhibition manager and content producer in maisons de la culture, cultural centers and museums; or into archaeological research, focusing on the multiple interactions between humans and their natural and living environment. At the end of your Master's degree in Anthropology, you'll have an extremely versatile diploma that opens the door to a wide range of professions in research, public administrations, NGOs, associations, development cooperation, teaching, social aid and (inter)cultural action, consultancy and journalism.
Program Curriculum
The programme combines teaching in the exact sciences and earth and life sciences (organismal biology, cellular and molecular biology, ecology, evolution, chemistry and biochemistry, physics, palaeontology, earth sciences, mathematics, hominisation and evolution, biogeography, vertebrate palaeontology) and the humanities (anthropology, sociology, archaeology, art history). It therefore offers a high degree of versatility, which is reflected in the particularly varied expertise of its many lecturers. Alongside the extensive theoretical courses, the programme also includes a great deal of practical work and fieldwork, with laboratory work, excavations, work on museum collections and socio-anthropological explorations. The interdisciplinary focus of this programme is reflected in a specific course on 'Societies, Environments and Transitions' taught in block 3, and an activity integrating the three disciplines, organised each year and bringing together all the students in this bachelor's degree. The bachelor's degree is organised into three annual blocks that combine teaching and activities in the three disciplines. After two common blocks, two paths are possible. An identical interdisciplinary programme in the third block enables students to go directly on to study for masters degrees in anthropology and archaeology. The third block consists of a large number of courses in biology and related disciplines, enabling students to pursue a Master's degree in biology (biochemistry and molecular and cell biology OR organismal biology and ecology).
Admission Requirements
You're passionate about human beings in all their facets, and you're interested in both the exact sciences and the humanities. Crossing disciplines and methods of analysis appeals to you, and juggling diverse concepts and learning doesn't scare you. You're motivated to embark on a demanding but exciting course of study.
Tuition & Financial Information
Detailed tuition information is not available. Please contact the university for the most current tuition and fee information.
Application Deadline
Please contact the university for application deadline information.
About UCLouvain (Université catholique de Louvain)
UCLouvain (Université catholique de Louvain)
Brussels, Belgium
UCLouvain (Université catholique de Louvain) is one of Belgium's largest and most prestigious universities, founded in 1425, offering programmes across science, engineering, medicine, humanities,...
University Profile- Start Date September
- Language French / English
- Duration 3 years
- Credits 180
