Course summary

Are you interested in contemporary social and cultural diversity? Social Anthropology gives you the tools you need to understand and analyse the contemporary world, in all its variety. The BA Social Anthropology degree will allow you to explore alternative perspectives on topics such as: migration international development religious tolerance economic inequality marginality urban life popular culture family forms gender and sexuality Through cross-cultural comparison and in-depth study of particular societies and communities, you will learn to question taken-for-granted assumptions and to think differently about some of the biggest questions of our time. Your degree will equip you with a grounding in social and cultural theory and provide opportunities for you to put your knowledge into practice through your own research projects. This practical focus begins from the first year, when you will apply an anthropological lens to the dynamic city of Birmingham, the UK's most ethnically-diverse city; it continues with more systematic and applied research methods training in your second year, and culminates in an individual dissertation project in your final year. From Africa to Oceania, Europe to Asia and the Americas, anthropology teaching in the department is truly international. Our staff are all committed to long term, on the ground, research on matters of global importance and enjoy sharing their latest research with students through specialist optional modules and project supervision. Why study this course? Exceptional student experience - We provide opportunities for staff and students to get to know one another beyond the classroom. In recent years, for example, our first years have enjoyed a Sudanese food evening and second and third years have gone on trips to the Liverpool Slavery Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford. A global understanding - As Europe's youngest and most culturally-diverse city, Birmingham is the perfect place to pursue a Social Anthropology degree. You also have the option to experience a different society first hand by studying abroad with one of our 300 international partners as well as being able to study a foreign language for free. Practical applications to the real world - Alongside practical research experience, you will gain critical and transferable skills that open up a broad range of career opportunities. In your second year, you may choose to take the Professional Skills module which includes a work placement in a field such as marketing, curation or event management. As the fourth most targeted university by the UK's Top 100 employers (The Graduate Market 2022), our anthropology graduates and alumni are equipped with the skills to pursue successful careers in a wide range of sectors. Access to global collections - Our on-campus facilities give you access to over 3000 learning resources including environmental and material culture teaching collections in the Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum; the Eton Myers Collection and the Danford Collection of African art and artefacts. Students also have the option to volunteer with the Archaeology and Eton Myers Collections to gain invaluable work experience in research, curation, heritage handling, marketing and more. Taught by the very best – You will study alongside some of the finest minds in Anthropology, and the relatively small (homely!) size of our department's community means that you will get to know our academics on a personal level. An internationally diverse staff will be supporting you with your own research interests throughout your degree. 2nd Times Higher Education ranked the Department of African Studies and Anthropology 2nd in the country for its performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework exercise Top 15 for Anthropology in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 Top 15 for Anthropology in the Complete University Guide 2023