Course summary

BA Social Anthropology and Politics enables you to build a degree programme that suits your interests. Studying undergraduate Social Anthropology will enable you to develop a distinctive set of skills and attributes. You will learn how to search for, select from and evaluate sources of information, weigh up arguments, and present your findings effectively. As an anthropologist however, you will also become sensitive to the assumptions and beliefs that underlie behaviour in a range of social and cultural contexts, and this gives you a critical edge. A knowledge of politics helps you to understand what governments do, shedding light on how some of history’s pivotal events were motivated by the political leaders of the day. You learn to find your way among different arguments, rival theories and alternative explanations and about campaigns, elections, protest movements, policy issues and political ideals. It also teaches you a great deal about human nature. Politics is not only what political scientists study, but also an activity in which professional politicians, civil servants and ordinary citizens take part. The first year of the degree course gives you a thorough grounding of Social Anthropology and Politics to assist you in choosing from a wide range of modules in the second and final year. Why study this course? Excellent reputation - We are ranked 7th for undergraduate Anthropology in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022. Outstanding employability - The University of Birmingham is the 4th most targeted University by the UK's top graduate employers (High Fliers Report- The Graduate Market 2022). Taught by experts – The staff who teach undergraduate Social Anthropology at Birmingham are based in the School of History and Cultures, in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology. These members of staff have lived and taught in countries beyond Western Europe, and have a range of language skills acquired through intensive ethnographic field work. As part of a small cohort of students, you will benefit from being taught by practising anthropologists and learning about their research experiences. Enhancing your student experience - In the Department of Political Science and International Studies, as well as benefiting from our world-leading expertise, you’ll also get the chance to take part in a range of in-house activities are designed to complement your curriculum and enrich your degree at Birmingham. Strong student experience - You will benefit from an intellectually challenging and stimulating environment for your undergraduate studies, focused on ensuring you are a fully supported and active learner. Our unique degrees are designed to provide both academic excellence and vocational development; a balance that’s highly sought after by employers in today's intellectual and creative industries. Top 15 for Anthropology in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 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