Social Anthropology BSc (Hons)

The BSc Social Anthroplogy course is designed for imaginative, critical thinkers who are passionate about understanding why the world is as it is – and about using the insights anthropology provides to make it better. You will explore the incredible diversity of human experience, and consider what is universal to human societies and what is variable.

You will examine how different political, legal, and economic systems influence people’s beliefs, values and practices, and you will interrogate the very categories we use to describe the world with, such as gender, religion, race. In addition, you will explore how anthropological insights can be applied to make a difference: to see how legal systems could be made more just; how public health campaigns could be improved; and how development interventions could be made more effective.

The programme offers full training in anthropological research methods. Social anthropology is not a vocational degree, but the capacities for critical analysis and lateral thinking you gain will provide an excellent foundation in many careers. What really makes our anthropology graduates stand out is their ability to simultaneously see the big picture and appreciate how a policy or idea will play out on the ground. Recent graduates have gone on to work in journalism, development, medicine and counselling, law, human rights, nursing, teaching, business, theatre and film.