School: College of Arts and Law, School of History and Cultures, Department of African Studies and Anthropology (jointly run with the Department of History). This joint honours degree allows you to explore the nature of human societies and cultures across time, combining the contemporary, critical, and globally comparative perspective of social anthropology with the in-depth study of past events, societies, and peoples through history. You will examine major global topics through different lenses, question established norms, and understand human behaviour from diverse cultural and historical viewpoints. The curriculum provides a strong grounding in both anthropological and historical theories and methods, offering opportunities to apply knowledge through personal research projects. This practical focus culminates in an individual dissertation in the final year, drawing on either discipline. The program aims to equip students with critical and transferable skills in analysis, research, reasoning, and communication, making them highly adaptable for a range of professional fields.

Graduates with a joint honours in Social Anthropology and History develop highly valued transferable skills such as critical thinking, advanced research (qualitative and quantitative), analytical reasoning, cross-cultural understanding, and effective communication, which are applicable across a wide range of sectors. Common career paths include: Research (social, historical, market), Archives and Heritage, Museums and Galleries, Journalism and Media, Publishing, Civil Service, Government (e.g., policy analysis, foreign affairs), International Development and NGOs, Human Resources, Marketing and PR, Management Consultancy, Education, Law (with further study). Many graduates also pursue further postgraduate study (MA, PhD) in Anthropology, History, or related fields. The University of Birmingham is consistently among the most targeted universities by top UK employers.

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 human societies and their pasts. Both the Department of African Studies and Anthropology and the Department of History are highly rated for their research (History was Top 10 in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025). Students benefit from exceptional learning resources, including the Cadbury Research Library (with extensive historical archives), environmental and material culture teaching collections, and ethnographic collections. The university offers a supportive environment with personalized academic support and opportunities for work placements and study abroad.