School of Social and Political Science

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Our programmes

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Societies across the globe vary enormously, socially, culturally, and politically. The study of these variations and the common humanity that underlies them is at the heart of social anthropology.

Social Anthropology at Edinburgh is a major international centre of undergraduate and postgraduate training. We're ranked in Europe’s top 10 universities for anthropology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022.

You can select from single or joint-degree undergraduate options, choosing to study another closely related area of social science in addition to the core degree.

At postgraduate level, we have a range of choice for research and taught programmes.

You can choose from a wide range of courses covering regional specialisations from Africa to Latin America, and thematic specialisations such as happiness, medical anthropology, the invention of history, or anthropology of food.

Across all our programmes, we offer hands-on research-led teaching, independent creativity, and interpersonal and group-based learning.

Choose to study social anthropology with us and it could change the way you think about the world.

Undergraduate programmes

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MA

Social Anthropology and Politics

This popular joint degree programme provides a grounding in both social anthropology and politics.

MA

Social Anthropology

The MA Social Anthropology studies human conduct and thought, exploring the variations and the common humanity of people across the globe.

MA

Social Anthropology and Social Policy

Our programme will equip you with the knowledge to understand how policies affect society and the economy.

MA

Social Anthropology with Development

This programme aims to give you a broad knowledge of a range of social and cultural contexts, institutions, processes and ideas.

MA

Sustainable Development

The MA in Sustainable Development investigates the challenges of reducing global inequity and poverty, and improving wellbeing, while reducing threats to Earth’s life-support systems from industrial […]

Postgraduate research programmes

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PhD

International Development

Join our community of academics and explore global development challenges.

MSc

Research in Social and Political Science

Undertake doctoral-level research in Social and Political Science subject areas, and gain necessary skills through a structured programme of research training.

PhD

Social Anthropology

Join one of the largest social anthropology departments in the UK and explore ethnographic fieldwork with a focus on contemporary issues.

PhD

South Asian Studies

Join one of Europe’s leading centres of excellence in South Asian studies. This programme brings together areas of research in sociology, politics, social anthropology, social policy and social work.

Postgraduate taught programmes

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MSc

Energy, Society and Sustainability (Via School of GeoSciences)

Analyse the social, societal and environmental dimensions of energy transitions.

MSc

International Development

Study the challenges facing people, communities and institutions in the Global South.

MSc

Medical Anthropology

Providing specialist training in medical anthropology for both social/cultural anthropologists and trained health practitioners. 

MSc

Social Anthropology

An intensive introduction to contemporary anthropology, intended for those relatively new to the subject.