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Anthropology

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Anthropology

Introduction

Anthropology at Aberdeen includes the study of the diversity of human communities and cultures around the world. It brings together theories about ‘being human’ from a wide range of Western and non-Western thinkers to understand human action, culture and thought, as studied through long-term international research with the communities themselves.

Aberdeen is ranked 1st in Scotland for Overall Satisfaction in Anthropology (NSS 2024) and ranked 3rd in the UK for Anthropology and Archaeology (Guardian University Guide 2025)

Our Degrees

We offer a range of Anthropology degrees which you can read more about below.

View available degree programmes

Pathway Programmes

The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre offers preparation programmes for progression to undergraduate degree study at the university.

Discover the International Study Centre

Our courses examine the connections among all aspects of life – family and kinship, economic systems, political and religious institutions, human-animal and ecological relations – and the way in which they come together to create whole ways of living within an increasingly global and postcolonial world.

At Aberdeen, our degree draws on the expertise of staff specialists on South America, Tibet and South Asia, the Pacific and the circumpolar North from Scotland and Siberia to Canada. It provides students with training in interview and social research skills, research design, ethnographic reporting and museum skills, culminating in a supervised fieldwork or library-based dissertation project of the student’s choice.

The skills you will develop in critical thinking and analysis will give you a deep knowledge and understanding of human behaviour which can be applied in business and many other fields. Many of our graduates now work in research, teaching, media, politics, or in business or public sector organisations in a host of roles with international and cultural contexts.

Anthropology graduates go on to careers in development, foreign affairs, journalism and research, amongst many others.

You will enjoy a special, warm welcome at the University of Aberdeen and benefit from excellent teaching, the international impact of our research, and a global experience as part of our friendly and vibrant international community. You will love our beautiful campus and great facilities for learning, sports and leisure, and many opportunities to develop extra skills, broaden your horizons, and gain the competitive advantage in the career path you choose.

Available Programmes of Study

Single Honours Degrees

Joint Honours Degrees

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Joint Honours Degrees

Why Study Anthropology at Aberdeen?

  • Aberdeen boasts the largest concentration of anthropologists in the UK specialising in the anthropology of ‘the North’, and one of the largest groups internationally, with research recognised as world-leading.
  • In addition to the circumpolar north, our experts also specialise in Canada, the Central Asian republics, Siberia, and Tibet.
  • Access to extensive anthropological and ethnographic museum collections, and the spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library with great first-class study facilities and state-of-the-art learning technology.
  • A packed programme of student and public events, exhibitions, seminars, the annual May Festival and the ‘Being Human’ festival with new findings, new thinking and lively debate on big world issues you will be studying on your course.
  • A programme designed to give you a deep knowledge and understanding of human behaviour, which you can use in many other fields.
  • Close links with other programmes such as Sociology, Politics, International Relations and Archaeology, giving you an all-round perspective on issues topical in the world today.
  • Anthropology and Archaeology at Aberdeen is ranked 3rd in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2025.
  • Aberdeen is ranked in the Global Top 100 for Anthropology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
  • Aberdeen is ranked 1st in Scotland for Overall Satisfaction in Anthropology (National Student Survey 2024)

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

View the Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX
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