Anthropology studies humankind, our origins, forms of social organisations, and different ways of interacting across cultures and environments.
Anthropology looks at globalisation processes such as the spread of a free market economy, the revolution of information and technology, rapid urbanization, and transnational migration worldwide, affecting cultural change at an increasing pace. If you are interested in people, their history and way of work, international relations and languages, then this field might be the subject area for you.
A UK degree in anthropology will provide you with unique skills for working with people. You will:
- Gain a deep understanding of human society, contemporary cultural & ethnic differences
- Learn people’s perspectives in social, political & economic context
- Have transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving & team-working
- Discover the ability to gather & process information as well as construct convincing and well presented arguments
- Help you analyse human rights, multiculturalism, religion, beliefs, gender roles, and politics
- Learn theories and methodology with research work and field trips
Learn more about the best universities to study anthropology in the UK below (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024). If you would like to begin your application, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK India.
Best Five UK Universities for Anthropology
1. University of Oxford
The School of Archaeology at the University of Oxford is a renowned research and teaching institution that specialises in the study of archaeology and human evolution. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate archaeology programmes and opportunities for students to participate in fieldwork and excavations in the UK and worldwide.
The School has a strong reputation for academic excellence, and its faculty are renowned experts in their fields, focusing on cutting-edge research into the archaeology of the past, including human evolution and the cultural heritage of the ancient world. Undergraduate courses in anthropology at the University of Oxford offer a comprehensive and interdisciplinary programme in Archaeology and Anthropology. The courses cover the study of human diversity from prehistory to the present day through a combination of theoretical and practical approaches.
The programme includes practical laboratory sessions, fieldwork, artefact handling and analysis, and a dissertation. Students are encouraged to participate in internships and research opportunities, both in local and national museums, as well as abroad.
- Oxford anthropology course to consider: Archaeology and Anthropology
- Entry requirements: A Level: AAA or equal international qualifications
- International fees: £35,080
2. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge's Department of Social Anthropology is dedicated to studying social and cultural anthropology. The department offers undergraduate and graduate programmes in social anthropology. It researches various topics in the field, including economic anthropology, political anthropology, medical anthropology, and the anthropology of religion.
Undergraduate anthropology courses at the University of Cambridge, such as The Human, Social, and Political Sciences (HSPS), are designed to provide students with a broad foundation in social science disciplines, focusing on interdisciplinary study. It allows students to delve deeper into their areas of interest and continue to explore the interconnections between different offshoots of social sciences.
- Cambridge anthropology course to consider: BA (Hons) in Human, Social, and Political Sciences
- Entry requirements: A Level: A*AA or equal international qualification
- International fees: £24,507
3. University College London
UCL’s Anthropology department is known for its commitment to interdisciplinary research and critical engagement with pressing social and cultural issues. The faculty of UCL Anthropology consists of experts from medical anthropology, urban anthropology, the anthropology of religion, and the anthropology of development.
The department is dedicated to providing students with a rigorous and innovative education. It encourages students to participate in fieldwork, research projects, and other opportunities to engage with the wider anthropology community. The BSc in Anthropology is a popular undergraduate anthropology course at UCL that examines the environmental, cultural, social, and material aspects of human beings and their evolution.
Practical learning opportunities are provided through engagement in the UCL Ethnography Collections, hominin and primate specimens in the Biological Anthropology Collection, and writing for the in-house print magazine and student-run blog.
- UCL anthropology course to consider: Anthropology BSc
- Entry requirements: A Levels: AAB two A-level subjects should be taken from UCL’s list of preferred A-level subjects.
- International fees: £32,100
4. London School of Economics and Political Science
The Department of Anthropology at The London School of Economics focuses on studying human society and culture and approaches the subject from a range of theoretical and empirical perspectives. The department also hosts a vibrant community of students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering an intellectually stimulating environment for learning and research.
LSE’s undergraduate anthropology course is available as a joint honours programme in anthropology and law with equal emphasis on both subjects. This allows students to fully understand what it means to be human while obtaining a qualifying law degree.
The degree allows students to engage in contemporary social justice, multiculturalism, and global change debates. It also offers full training in anthropological research methods, including ethnographic study, summer fieldwork placements, and a year abroad at one of the department’s global partners.
- LSE anthropology course to consider: BA Anthropology and Law
- Entry requirements: A Levels: AAB or equal international qualification
- International fees: £24,720
5. University of Edinburgh
The Department of Anthropology at Edinburgh focuses on studying societies and cultures worldwide. The department provides a comprehensive education in anthropology and sociology, emphasising critical and comparative perspectives.
The University of Edinburgh often emphasises interdisciplinary approaches, encouraging students to draw on insights from disciplines such as sociology, history, geography, and philosophy to enrich their understanding of human societies and cultures. The department typically features faculty members who are experts in various subfields of anthropology, including social anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and medical anthropology. Students can expect to encounter a rich array of courses covering topics such as cultural diversity, human evolution, kinship and social organization, globalization, and more.
- Edinburgh anthropology course to consider: MA Social Anthropology
- Entry requirements: IB: 37 points with 666 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL
- International fees: £26,500
Careers in Anthropology
A degree in Anthropology opens up avenues of employment in a wide variety of sectors.
Graduates find employment in government agencies, NGOs, businesses, colleges and universities, social & welfare, museums, community organizations, education, public health & human services, international studies, ethnic & gender studies, banking, retail and manufacturing and research centres.
Study Anthropology in the UK
If you want to learn more about studying Anthropology in the UK, arrange a free consultation today with SI-UK.
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