Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultural differences, at all places and in all times. Its approach is comparative, holistic and gives a view of social life 'from the inside'

Why Aberdeen?

• At Aberdeen we have one of the youngest and fastest growing programmes in Anthropology in the UK
• We offer innovative ideas and a fresh vision of the subject, with an emphasis throughout on work at the cutting-edge of the discipline, and on problems of pressing concern for people throughout the world
• The opportunity to work with staff and postgraduate students who are actively engaged in internationally recognised research
• The discipline's unrivalled strengths in the fields of the anthropology of the North and the study of art, creativity, visual representation and material culture are reflected in teaching
• Students enefit from our close links with programmes such as Sociology and Politics, and from the resources of the University’s Museums and Elphinstone Institute, with their extensive anthropological and ethnological collections

Programmes

You may also be interested in

Archaeology, Divinity, Sociology

Study Abroad

study abroad information

The opportunity to take Enhanced Study options as part of your degree and participate in co-curricular activities. See www.abdn.ac.uk/thedifference for more information.

Anthropology is available as a Designated degree which can be obtained after three years of study. It takes four years of undergraduate study to obtain an Honours degree.

First Year

There are two introductory courses, Introduction to Anthropology: Peoples of the World in the first half-session, and Introduction to Anthropology: Questions of Diversity in the second. These courses introduce key theories and approaches,
as well as issues of contemporary anthropological debate.

Second Year

Political Anthropology introduces students to the principal schools of anthropological thought on political institutions, movements and state formation. Anthropological Approaches to Religion discusses contrasting theoretical perspectives anthropologists have employed in the study of religion and provides students with the conceptual tools critically to interrogate the topic. These courses are taught in the first half session. Colonialism Re-imagined explores contemporary colonial expressions from an anthropological perspective.

Meanwhile, Anthropology and Imperialism explores the synergy between anthropology and history as it has been situated in a colonial world order. These two courses are taught in the second half session.

Third and Fourth Year (Honours)

In third year, students take courses in Anthropological Research, Anthropological Theory and Ethnography. In addition students take optional courses such as Society and Nature and Emotion, Self and Society.

Students are introduced to the major concepts and theoretical debates of the discipline, gain insight into the practice, politics and ethics of doing and writing ethnography, and learn about qualitative methods of research and analysis. Students also begin work on their individual research projects.

In fourth year, students complete their individual research projects and choose courses on a range of special topics. These include: Indigenous Media; Aboriginal Rights in a Global Context; Language in Culture and Society; Anthropology, Museums and Society; Anthropology of Myth; Morality and Belief in Islam; Anthropology of the North; Knowledge, Creativity and Ownership; Materials, Technology and Power in the Andean Region; Anthropology and Landscape; More than Human; Roads: Movement, Mobility and Migration.

Teaching and Assessment

Most courses are taught through lectures and small-group seminars and are assessed by a combination of essays and formal examinations.

Careers

Anthropology challenges students to think critically and equips them with practical skills in working with people in a variety of cultural contexts. Graduates work in research and teaching, in television, radio and journalism, with overseas development agencies and non-governmental organisations, as well as many other fields and professions.

Finding your direction

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success.  The Careers Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us – from first to final year – and beyond.

• More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen.
• More information on the Careers Service.
• More information on careers prospects and employability with a degree in Anthropology.

Entrance Requirements

SQA Highers - AABB
A Levels - BBB
IB - 32 points, 5,5,5 at HL
ILC - AABB

For further details of entrance requirements click here

Please click on the links below to find out more information on funding in your area.

• Scotland and EU (Excluding England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• Rest of UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• International
• Scholarships

Related Links

• Scholarships
• Entrance Scholarships
• Funding Database
• England Wales and Northern Ireland Finance Guide