Course summary

Social Anthropology is the study of human social and cultural diversity. If you want to understand the past to prepare for your future in a changing world, studying History is the way forward. This undergraduate degree course combines the contemporary, critical, and globally comparative perspective of social anthropology with historical study of modern, early modern and medieval Britain, Europe and the wider world. After a thorough grounding in both disciplines in the first year of your degree, you will be able to follow your interests by choosing from a wide range of optional modules in your second and third years. Your degree will culminate in a final year dissertation in either Social Anthropology or History. Staff at Birmingham teaching Social Anthropology and History have an outstanding reputation for excellence in both teaching and research. This degree will provide you with valuable skills in analysis, research, reasoning, and time-management, equipping you to present yourself confidently orally and in writing, wherever your future takes you. Why study this course? Immerse yourself in a unique perspective - The Department of African Studies and Anthropology is the only one of its kind available at both undergraduate and postgraduate level allowing you to explore the disciplines in entirely new and exciting ways. Exceptional learning resources – You will have access to a range of learning resources including environmental and material culture teaching collections at the University of Birmingham; the Eton Myers Collection and the Danford Collection of African art and artefacts. Taught by the very best – You will study alongside some of the finest minds at university. 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 (based on grade point average). Present day application - We believe in history as a practical and engaged endeavour that speaks to questions of social inequality, community belonging and even climate change. As a Birmingham student you have opportunities to learn about the uses of history such as through a placement in the heritage sector on our Professional Skills module. Unparallelled opportunities – Equipping you with skills that employers value is a priority for us. Make use of free language tuition, Arts Internships and the opportunity to Study Abroad. Top 10 for Anthropology and Archaeology in the Guardian University Guide 2023 Top 10 for History in the Complete 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