Learn from the lived experiences of communities worldwide and play a role in redefining how we understand and shape the world around us.
Question assumptions and embrace diverse ways of understanding contemporary issues such as gender, migration, inequality, religion, the economy, popular culture, and politics.
Despite having researched and chosen Anthropology, I finished my first year still surprised at the sheer range of topics you cover, so every lecture felt like something new and exciting.
Approach your degree from another perspective with our BA Liberal Arts programme. This may offer you an alternative way to study modules in your preferred subject areas.
By choosing Birmingham, you'll be joining the Daily Mail University of the Year 2027.
With outstanding graduate employability outcomes and high student satisfaction just two of the reasons for our success, there has never been a better time to join us.
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in the UK for Anthropology
Complete University Guide 2027
Anthropology students taking part in a Sudanese Kitchen event
Learn directly from world-leading anthropologists and researchers deeply engaged with communities across the globe — from Africa to the Pacific, and back home in the UK - gaining real-world insights and hands-on experience.
From favourite local hotspots to the study trip of dreams in Barbados, our students give you the lowdown on being a student in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology.
Become an anthropologist by learning from Birmingham’s unique urban classroom. As a vibrant majority-minority city, Birmingham offers anthropology students a remarkable opportunity to explore the multiplicity of stories, cultures and journeys that shape contemporary urban life. Studying anthropology in Birmingham means learning to understand and make sense of multiple identities, unexpected encounters, and the forms of collaboration that emerge across social and cultural differences.
From podcasting to brain monitoring, our state-of-the-art facilities empower our students to create, perform, collaborate and explore in new and exciting ways.
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Study at the University of Birmingham and learn from world-class experts — leaders in global teaching and research experience.
At Birmingham, you’ll have plenty of support to help you adjust to university life:
Your degree is designed to help you achieve 120 credits per year, which equals about 40 hours of learning each week. This includes lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, revision, and assessments.
You’ll be assessed in different ways to suit each module. At the start of a module, you’ll be told how and when you’ll be assessed. Methods will vary but may include coursework (e.g., essays), group or individual presentations and projects, exams, reports or computer-based assignments.
Feedback: You will receive timely feedback on each assessment, so you can learn from it and improve your performance in future assessments.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
2027/28
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Discover Anthropology | 20 |
| Thinking Anthropologically | 20 |
You'll choose 80 credits of optional modules. All optional lists are indicative; not all modules will run each year depending on staff availability.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Anthropologists at Work | 10 |
| Anthropology of Africa | 20 |
| Ethnographic Film | 10 |
| Urban Encounters: Anthropology in Birmingham | 20 |
| Writing Worlds: Ethnography as Craft | 20 |
You may also be able to take up to 20 credits of approved modules from another School or Department, with the agreement of your programme leader. An indicative list of other modules is below:
2028/29
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research in Practice | 20 |
| Theory and Ethnography | 20 |
You’ll choose at least 40 credits of optional modules in Social Anthropology. You can also choose up to 40 credits from outside Social Anthropology, which can include one 20-credit Future or Professional Skills module. You can also apply to complete a Professional Skills placement in place of 20 credits of taught modules.
2029/30
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 40 |
In your final year, you’ll choose 80 credits of optional DASA modules. You can’t take a module that you’ve already studied in your second year. At least 40 credits must be in Social Anthropology and you can take up to 40 credits from outside Social Anthropology. You can also take one 20-credit Professional Skills module, as long as you didn’t take one in your second year.
The Professional Skills Module allows students to take part in an internship that they can apply for from a bank of placements provided by the college, or an internship that they land by themselves externally, as a means of promoting hands-on learning.
In the College of Arts and Law, we're committed to helping you become career-ready. With our intercalated options, we offer undergraduate students the opportunity to take an additional year and dive into industry, language and more.
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
ABB
6,5,5 including 32 points overall.
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD. See below for full information.
Number of A levels required: 3
Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade B in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade B in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Applicants who have achieved (or who will achieve) any level 3 graded examination in music performance at grade 8 or above (e.g. ABRSM, Rockschool, Trinity College London) and outline that on their UCAS application will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus the Music qualification. This alternative offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Applicants who play sport at county level or above will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower. This alternative offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice. If you have already received a one grade reduction through one of our performance athlete schemes (e.g. our Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway programme), then you will not receive an additional reduction - we will apply a maximum one grade reduction on an offer.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer.
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
BBC - A level
BBB - A level
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2027/28
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
If you're a UK student and starting university in September 2026, find out more about what financial support is available to you.
We want to help you reach your full potential. Explore our wide variety of scholarships available for international students.
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Application deadline for September 2027 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please speak to our team.
By studying an undergraduate degree in Anthropology at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths:
Our African Studies and Anthropology students have gone on to secure roles such as Journalist, Executive, Marketing Specialist, and Senior Policy Advisor working for organisations such as:
The University has commissioned Cturtle as our data partner for tracking our alumni destinations. The data above is a subset from 43,666 alumni who completed their course up to 31 July 2024.
We’re consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers
High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2026’ report
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.
Our intercalated opportunities offer the chance to take a year out from your existing course to study within another field. This takes place usually between year 2 and year 3 of your programme.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.
