The BA Social Anthropology degree explores what it is to be human in a complex and changing world.You will study the great variety of beliefs and practices that exist around the world, from remote communities to global cities. You will learn theoretical frameworks and question your own assumptions, helping you to think creatively about how to address global problems.
Bridging the humanities and social sciences, anthropology offers a unique approach grounded in real-world research allowing for a greater understanding in cultural differences, political dynamics, social conflict, and human creativity.
Studying at SOAS is unique as it draws from the regional expertise of our academics in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern languages and societies. If you are passionate about understanding human society and behaviour, and want to learn to think critically about the world around you, then this Anthropology course is for you.
This programme has a first-rate graduate employability record, with graduates having moved on to work for a range of organisations such as Deloitte, The New York Times and the British Council.
Programme Code: L600 BA/SA
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
BTEC: DDM
Access to HE: Minimum of 30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
Scottish Highers: AAABB
Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB
Irish LC: 340 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
Advanced Placement: 4 4 5 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
Euro Bacc: 80%
French Bacc: 14/20
German Abitur: 2.0
Italy DES: 80/100
Austria Mat: 2.0
Polish Mat: Overall 75% including 3 extended level subjects
Dr Naomi Leite Convenor
The BA Social Anthropology is a three-year degree programme. In each year students need to take compulsory and optional modules to the total value of 120 credits following the structure below.
All students are expected to complete all compulsory modules.
Students are entitled to select up to 30 credits of Open Option modules per year. These modules can be in Anthropology or based in other departments within the School either in another subject or a language option.
Students will take the following compulsory modules (90 credits in total):
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101A Anthropology in and of the World: An Introduction (A) | 155901506 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 102A SOAS Anthropology Now (A) | 155901508 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 201 World Social Theory: Imagining Society from 500BCE to 1900 | 155901489 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 101B Anthropology in and of the World: An Introduction (B) | 155901507 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 102B SOAS Anthropology Now (B) | 155901509 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 202 Social Theory, Reform and Revolution in an Age of Extremes | 155901490 | 15 | Term 2 |
Open Options
Students are entitled to select up to 30 credits of Open Option modules per year.
Credits must be taken in the following combination;
Students will take the following modules (45 credits in total):
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 211 Anthropology Through History | 155901512 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 212 Theory in Anthropology | 155901513 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 213 Ethnography in Practice | 151802086 | 15 | Term 2 |
Students will take 45 credits from list below:
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 301 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (I) | 155901515 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 302 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (II) | 155901516 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 351 Migration, Borders and Space: Decolonial Approaches | 151802052 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 352 Anthropology of 'Race', Gender and Sexuality | 151802088 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 353 Anthropology and Climate Change | 151802087 | 15 | Term 2 |
Students will take a maximum of 30 credits from Year 2 Open Options: Options Language Open Options | Non-language Open Options
Credits must be taken in the following combination;
Students will take the following modules (30 credits in total):
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 401A Concepts in Anthropology (A) | 155901517 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 401B Concepts in Anthropology (B) | 155901518 | 15 | Term 2 |
Students will take 60 credits from list below:
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 301 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (I) | 155901515 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 302 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (II) | 155901516 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 351 Migration, Borders and Space: Decolonial Approaches | 151802052 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 352 Anthropology of 'Race', Gender and Sexuality | 151802088 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 353 Anthropology and Climate Change | 151802087 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 451 Medical Anthropology: An Introduction | 155901519 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 453 Mind, Culture and Psychiatry | 151802017 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 490 Special Topics in Contemporary Anthropology | 155901520 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 498A/B Directed Readings in Anthropology (T1/T2) | Term 1 (A): 155800099 | Term 2 (B): 155800100 | 15 credits | |
| 499 Independent Study Project in Anthropology | 151802039 | 30 | Full Year |
Students will take a maximum of 30 credits from Year 3 Open Options: Options Language Open Options | Non-language Open Options
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
The academic staff in the Department of Anthropology are dynamic, experienced teachers who are widely recognised for their expertise and enjoy working directly with students. Renowned scholars from other institutions also come to share their knowledge. The SOAS Anthropology Department sponsors several lecture series that are open to students, including the weekly Departmental Research Seminar, the Food Studies Centre's Food Forum and the Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies’ Seminar Series.
In addition to these formal settings for learning, our students also learn from one another. Hailing from around the globe, their diverse life experiences make our classes an exciting, rich environment for cultural and intellectual exchange. Students also benefit from campus-wide programmes, clubs, study groups, and performances.
The modules are taught by lectures and group discussions. Students become active in class through their reading and essay-writing as well as their participation in discussion groups. Whatever the topic, modules draw particularly on ethnographic studies of China, Japan, South East Asia, South Asia, the Near and Middle East, West Africa and East Africa, as well as their diasporas.
The ISP can be taken by final-year students only. This is an opportunity for students to conduct original anthropological research on their own initiative, to engage in in-depth analysis of particular subjects and to undertake ethnographic fieldwork and/or library-based reseach. It is supported by a bi-weekly seminar on anthropological research and writing and is assessed by a single 10,000-word dissertation (including notes but excluding bibliography).
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
Students from SOAS’ Department of Anthropology and Sociology develop an in-depth understanding of the world. Employers value our graduates’ cultural awareness and global perspective, as well as their skills in analysis, data interpretation and problem-solving.
Recent Department of Anthropology and Sociology graduates have been hired by:
Find out about our Careers Service.
Brendan HarveyI can say without a doubt that engaging with anthropological study at SOAS has a universal practical application that is becoming increasingly valuable in our interconnected world. I cannot recommend it enough.
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS.