Introduction
Anthropology at Aberdeen is 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, 2025)
Study Information
At a Glance
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.
Anthropology is also available as a joint degree along with a range of other subjects that you can find here.
