School: College of Arts and Law, School of History and Cultures, Department of African Studies and Anthropology. The BA (Hons) Social Anthropology degree at the University of Birmingham enables students to understand and critically analyze the contemporary world in all its variety. It encourages exploration of alternative perspectives on major global topics and questions established norms and assumptions. Through cross-cultural comparison and in-depth study of particular societies and communities, students broaden their views on subjects such as migration, international development, religious coexistence, economic inequality, marginality, urban life, popular culture, family forms, gender, and sexuality. The curriculum provides a strong grounding in social and cultural theory and offers opportunities to apply knowledge through personal research projects. This practical focus begins in the first year with an anthropological lens applied to the diverse city of Birmingham, continues with systematic and applied research methods training in the second year, and culminates in an individual dissertation project in the final year. The program aims to equip students with critical and transferable skills in analysis, research, reasoning, and communication.

Graduates with a Social Anthropology degree develop highly valued transferable skills such as critical thinking, research, analysis, cross-cultural understanding, and effective communication, which are applicable across a wide range of sectors. Common career paths include: International Development and NGOs, Human Resources, Marketing and PR, Market Research, Management Consultancy, Social Research, Civil Service, Government (e.g., policy analysis, foreign affairs), Journalism, Media, Education, Heritage and Museums, Tourism, Community Development, Public Relations, and roles in diverse commercial sectors. Many graduates also pursue further postgraduate study (MA, PhD) in Anthropology or related fields. The University of Birmingham is consistently among the most targeted universities by top UK employers, and the program offers work-based placements and employability-focused modules.

The University of Birmingham is a member of the UK's prestigious Russell Group, known for its world-leading research and excellent teaching. It is a highly ranked red brick university in the heart of England, offering a strong academic reputation. Birmingham is the UK's second-largest city and is very multicultural, providing a dynamic and diverse environment for studying social anthropology. The Department of African Studies and Anthropology is highly rated for its research (2nd in the UK for Area Studies in REF 2021). Students benefit from exceptional learning resources, including environmental and material culture teaching collections, and the Eton Myers Collection and Danford Collection of African art and artefacts. The university offers a supportive environment with personalized academic support and opportunities for work placements and study abroad.