Aberdeen has been ranked 1st in Scotland for Overall Satisfaction and 3rd in the UK for Student Positivity in Anthropology, according to the National Student Survey 2024.
Anthropology and Archaeology at Aberdeen is ranked 3rd in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2025.
This summer, a team of Museum Studies students from the Department of Anthropology created the digital exhibition 'Toxic Relationships: The Dose Makes the Poison'
Dr. Elena Volzhanina published a volume entitled "The Economic Development of Nadym region in the early 20th Century". This completed a grant from the Leverhulme Trust.
Welcome Professor Macdonald, who joins the Anthropology Department as Honorary Professor.
Anthropology is the comparative study of human societies in all their diversity. It seeks to understand cultural life in a wide range of social activities. Anthropologists carry out their research through long-term, in-depth fieldwork.
At Aberdeen, our staff specialise in regions as diverse as Canada, the Central Asian Republics, Iceland and Scandinavia, North Africa, Oceania, Siberia, Scotland and the UK, South America, and Tibet and the Himalayas. Along with our undergraduate degrees, we have a large contingent of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers. We welcome applications and proposals to study or work with us.
Please use these pages to explore more of what we do!
With a population of 230 000, Aberdeen is a city which captures the charm and comfort of a smaller municipality but simultaneously offers the amenities of a large metropolitan city. The beach promenade and surrounding natural areas are excellent for long walks and hikes. The bustling city centre meets the cultural, culinary, and shopping needs of tourist and residents. The airport offers 44 destinations and more than 10 flights a day to London.
King's College was built to house the University, founded by Bishop Elphinstone under a Papal Bull issued by Pope Alexander VI on 10 February 1495. 
The Old Town House was built in 1788 and is the focal point for Old Aberdeen. Today it is home to the King's Museum and offers various exhibits. 
Fully completed in 2014, Aberdeen Sports Village offers an Olympic-size swimming pool, a 25 metre diving pool, a full-size indoor football pitch and a gym.
Sir Duncan Rice Library was designed by Danish architects Schmidt, Hammer and Lassen and opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabth II in 2012.
Elphinstone Lawn is located at the heart of the university surrounded by New King's (c. 1913), Elphinstone Hall (c. 1930) and King's College Chapel (c. 1509).
The address of the University of Aberdeen School of Social Science is:
School of Social Science
University of Aberdeen
Edward Wright Building
Dunbar Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3QY
Telephone: +44 (0)1224 272726
Email: socsci@abdn.ac.uk
Please see the People section for specific contacts.
