What’s it like to study a subject at university that you haven’t done at school?

Poppy unfortunately no longer works at Oxbridge Applications

Here at Oxbridge Applications, we are very excited to welcome the newest member of the team, Oxford graduate Poppy Cooper! She read Archaeology & Anthropology at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford and has since gone on to do a masters at UCL. She’s looking forward to supporting you with your application over the next few months.  If you’re thinking of applying for a subject that you’re not currently studying at school, get in touch with Poppy on 0207 499 2394. Now over to Poppy…

‘My decision to read Archaeology and Anthropology was based upon my love of a range of subjects which included both sciences and humanities. This degree choice allowed me to continue studying from an interdisciplinary perspective and engage with a huge variety of topics. Areas to which I was introduced during my time at Oxford were as diverse as: early Hominids and their evolution into anatomically modern humans, state formation in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the universal definition of marriage. The variety of subjects, all taught by experts infectiously passionate about their subject, made this a truly rewarding degree. I discovered my main area of interest was Early Medieval Europe, and chose to focus several modules on this era, studying the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of European States. I was also able to take part in excavations at the abandoned Roman town of Silchester and the Anglo-Saxon village of West Halton, which allowed me to place the theories I had learned into a practical context. I then focused my dissertation on the significance of various dress items in Anglo-Saxon inhumation burials of the 5th-7th century, analysing the iconography and rituals associated with these items. It was fascinating being able to go into such detail into this one area, becoming an expert myself in the process. This degree would be suited for anyone searching to gain a variety of marketable skills and knowledge in a range of topics. However, it still allows you to focus on a particular passion and become a specialist in your chosen discipline. Since graduating, I have continued my education to the Masters level and been fortunate enough to continue to use what I learnt in my degree by working for several museums in the UK and US, including the Ashmolean Museum, the Horniman Museum and the Smithsonian Museum.’

If you’re interested in Archaeology & Anthropology, but you’re not sure how to get started on your research, check out our Arch & Anth reading list in the Humanities Reading Room.  Don’t forget that Archaeology & Anthropology interviews can be a bit different to those for other subjects – so don’t forget to get some real experience with Oxbridge Arch & Anth graduates at our Interview Preparation.