Integrated Degree Anthropology (including Foundation Year)

This is a four-year degree. If you successfully achieve the progression requirements of the Foundation Year, you can continue with the full-time three-year BA (Hons) Anthropology degree.

• All you need is an interest in anthropology – there aren’t any formal entry requirements.
• You’ll learn about the key issues and themes and problems that have shaped contemporary anthropological thought.
• You’ll study a diverse range of human societies and cultures to acquire an understanding of the importance of anthropology to contemporary global issues. In this respect, you’ll explore relevant political, economic and social anthropological themes (including social justice; global inequalities; human rights; the environment and sustainability; race and ethnicity; sex, sexuality and gender; capitalism and consumption; peace and violence; nation, place and migration) with a focus on the kinds of inclusive, socially aware, politically engaged, and decolonial practice that epitomises anthropology at Goldsmiths.
• You’ll acquire key academic and study skills for essay writing, reading academic texts, note-taking, giving presentations, and undertaking independent research. You'll also develop digitally based and audio-visual research skills throughout your time on the programme. This will form part of your own, personalised learning journey, which will enable you to produce innovative research projects unique to you, but which will also be supported by your tutors.
• If you successfully achieve the progression requirements for the course, you'll be able to progress onto Year 1 of our BA Anthropology degree and really delve into the specifics of the subject.
• You'll be learning from leading academics in the Department of Anthropology, which has been rated top 10 in the UK for anthropology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact the Programme Convenor, Dr Justin Woodman.

There are no formal entry requirements for this programme, but you should demonstrate in your personal statement:

• An interest in and aptitude for the subject
• How you will benefit from studying the programme

Your referees are also welcome to include any relevant contextual comments around your academic achievements. We’ll look at all these things when making a decision on your application.

Selection process

Admission is by application to UCAS, interview and a short piece of written work.

International qualifications

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Our anthropology graduates have been successful in a range of areas, including:

• Filmmaking
• Advocacy work for NGOs and development agencies
• Journalism
• Museum curating
• Media careers
• Teaching
• Postgraduate research

Our particular emphasis on public anthropology encourages our students to explore options in a range of practice-based and public sector career paths.

Find out more about the types of jobs you can get with an anthropology degree.

Skills

The emphasis during the Foundation Year is on developing your academic skills so that you can express your ideas in a clear, concise and articulate manner – whether that's in writing or verbally.

You will also hone your ability to 'think anthropologically', and to engage thoughtfully with academic theory and research.

If you successfully achieve the progression requirements of the Foundation Year and progress to the BA Anthropology degree you will further develop skills in:

• Analytical thinking
• Communication (including public speaking, developing and presenting an argument, note taking, report writing)
• Awareness of social and cultural differences
• Understanding human behaviour
• Thinking 'outside the box'
• Research and evaluation
• Open mindedness