BA Social Anthropology
SOAS University of London
Key Information
Campus location
London, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* full-time fees per academic year: UK £9,250; Overseas £20,350
Introduction
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
Our 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 of 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 Anthropology at SOAS is for you.
Why study Social Anthropology at SOAS
- We draw on the exceptional regional expertise of our academics in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern languages and politics, many of whom have joined us with practical working knowledge of their disciplines.
- You will be joining our thriving community of alumni and academics who have an impact on the world outside of academia.
- You will be able to flexibly structure your programme using our optional modules and/or optional modules from other departments, including the opportunity to learn a regional language.
- We are specialists in the delivery of languages. Your command of a second language at SOAS will set you apart from graduates of other universities.
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.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Structure
Students take 120 credits per year composed of compulsory and optional modules.
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.
Year 1
Compulsory Modules
All students are expected to complete the following compulsory modules, totalling 90 credits.
- Introduction to Social Anthropology
and
- Social Theory
and
- Voice and Place
and
Open Option
Choose related Language or Non-Language Open Option modules to a total of 30 credits
- Language Open Option Modules
- Non-Language Open Option Modules
Year 2
Compulsory Modules
All students are expected to complete the following compulsory modules, totalling 45 credits.
- Theory in Anthropology
- Ethnography in Practice
and
Guided Options
Choose module(s) from Year 2 Option List below to a total of 45 credits
and
Open Option
Choose a total of 30 further credits from the Year 2 Option List or any related Language or Non-Language Open Option modules
- Language Open Option Modules
- Non-Language Open Option Modules
Year 3
Compulsory Modules
All students are expected to complete the following compulsory modules, totalling 45 credits.
- Contemporary Trends in the Study of Society
and
Guided Options
Choose modules from Year 3 Option List below to a total of 45 credits
and
Open Option
Choose a total of 30 further credits from the Year 3 Option List and/or any related Language or Non-Language Open Option modules
- Language Open Option Modules
- Non-Language Open Option Modules
Option Modules (subject to availability)
- Year 2 Option List
- African and Asian Diasporas. Migration, Space, Identity (UG)
- Anthropology and Climate Change
- Anthropology and Film
- Anthropology of Globalisation
- Anthropology of Human Rights
- Anthropology of "Race", Gender and Desire
- Ethnography of China
- Ethnography of East Africa
- Ethnography of Japan
- Ethnography of Near and Middle East
- Ethnography of South Asia
- Ethnography of West Africa
- Mind, Culture and Psychiatry
- New Religious Movements in Africa, Asia and the Middle East
- Year 3 Option List
- African and Asian Diasporas. Migration, Space, Identity (UG)
- Anthropology and Climate Change
- Anthropology and Film
- Anthropology of Globalisation
- Anthropology of Human Rights
- Anthropology of "Race", Gender and Desire
- Ethnography of China
- Ethnography of East Africa
- Ethnography of Japan
- Ethnography of Near and Middle East
- Ethnography of South Asia
- Ethnography of West Africa
- Independent Study Project in Social Anthropology
- Mind, Culture and Psychiatry
- New Religious Movements in Africa, Asia and the Middle East
Important notice
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.
Rankings
Our Anthropology Department is ranked 5th in the UK and 13th in the world in the 2020 QS World University Rankings.
Career Opportunities
Employment
A degree from the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at SOAS will develop your understanding of the world, other peoples’ ways of life and how society is organised.
Skills gained include:
- Methods of social anthropological investigation
- Linguistic familiarity
- The ability to think laterally and employ critical reasoning
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
- The ability to formulate sound arguments
- Ability to interpret and explain complex information clearly
- Communication and presentation skills
Our alumni include everyone from dance therapists and film editors, to teachers, gender violence outreach workers, television and radio producers, international development workers, journalists, analysts, web developers, and more. Students with a SOAS degree in Anthropology are regularly employed by NGOs, charitable organisations, media companies, and voluntary sector organisations. Recent graduates have found jobs at Action on Hearing Loss, British Council, Deloitte, Hackney Migrant Centre, IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development), The New York Times, and the Social Mobility Foundation. Many of our graduates have their own successful start-ups.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including a range of NGOs, charitable and voluntary sector organisations:
- Deloitte
- The New York Times
- British Council
- Social Mobility Foundation
- IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development)
- Action on Hearing Loss
- Hackney Migrant Centre
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
- Gender Violence Outreach Worker
- Film Editor
- Dance Therapist
- Web Developer
- Food Bank Organiser
- Project Officer
- Journalist
- School and College Relations Officer
- Junior Analyst
- Radio Production Assistant
English Language Requirements
Certify your English proficiency with the Duolingo English Test! The DET is a convenient, fast, and affordable online English test accepted by over 4,000 universities (like this one) around the world.