Social Anthropology and Politics MA (Hons)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Edinburgh

Program Overview

If you’re fascinated by how people live, think, and organise their societies — and equally curious about how power, governments, and policies shape our world — this joint degree is made for you. Blending anthropology’s deep dive into culture and identity with politics’ focus on power and decision-making, it equips you to understand global issues from multiple perspectives and prepares you to make a real-world impact.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building strong foundations
You’ll start by exploring how people and cultures shape one another through courses like Social Anthropology 1A: The Life Course and 1B: Anthropology Matters, while also tackling key political ideas in Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates and 1B: The Global Dimension. You’ll meet big thinkers, question common assumptions, and lay the groundwork for deeper study.

Year 2 – Expanding your perspective
In your second year, you’ll examine the major theories behind anthropology in Social Anthropology 2: Key Concepts and get hands-on experience with Ethnography: Theory and Practice, learning how to gather and interpret real-world data. Politics modules such as Comparative Politics in a Globalised World and International Cooperation in Europe and Beyond will challenge you to think critically about how states interact and societies govern themselves.

Year 3 – Going deeper into your interests
This is where your studies become more specialised. You’ll prepare for your dissertation through Anthropological Research, choose advanced optional courses tailored to your interests, and may even conduct your own independent fieldwork over the summer — a chance to put your research skills into action.

Year 4 – Becoming a researcher and changemaker
Your final year is about bringing it all together. You’ll complete a substantial honours dissertation based on original research and tackle advanced topics such as Culture and Power. By now, you’ll be confident in analysing complex global challenges and ready to take on real-world roles where cultural understanding and political insight matter.

Focus areas: Culture, power, governance, fieldwork, identity, global challenges, policy.
Learning outcomes: Deep understanding of social and political systems, strong research and analytical skills, expertise in ethnographic methods, and the ability to connect theory with practice.
Professional alignment: This degree builds a strong foundation for careers in policy-making, NGOs, journalism, international development, research, and cultural organisations.
Reputation: The University of Edinburgh ranks among the top 5 in Europe for Anthropology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025), and its graduates are highly sought-after worldwide.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Edinburgh, studying Social Anthropology and Politics is about much more than lectures — it’s about learning by doing. From your very first year, you’ll be encouraged to think like a researcher and political analyst, applying theory to real-world issues and exploring how societies and governments work in practice. As you progress, you’ll gain hands-on experience with research methods, fieldwork, collaborative projects, and independent study — all designed to build the skills employers and postgraduate programmes are looking for.

Here’s how you’ll put your learning into practice throughout the degree:

Real ethnographic fieldwork: In second year, you’ll take Ethnography: Theory and Practice, a collaborative project where you and your classmates go into the field, collect data, write field notes, and produce your own ethnographic accounts — just like professional anthropologists.
Independent research opportunities: Before your final year, you’ll have the chance to carry out your own research project, often over the summer, either in the UK or overseas, with guidance from academic staff.
Honours dissertation: Your final year includes a substantial dissertation, usually based on your own original research, giving you four months to explore a topic you care about in depth and showcase your independent thinking.
Global perspectives through study abroad: Many students spend their third year at a partner university abroad, experiencing new political and cultural contexts firsthand.
Collaborative and flexible teaching: Your learning happens through seminars, tutorials, group discussions, and one-to-one supervision, helping you develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills.
Comprehensive support and facilities: You’ll have access to the University’s world-class libraries, digital research tools, computing labs, and dedicated student support teams — all based in the heart of Edinburgh’s vibrant Central Area campus.
Career-ready skills and services: Edinburgh’s Careers Service offers tailored workshops, internship support, and career planning advice — even for up to two years after you graduate — to help you turn your degree into a successful future.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A degree in Social Anthropology and Politics from Edinburgh opens up a world of possibilities. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the research, analytical, and communication skills that employers look for — as well as a deep understanding of how societies function and how decisions are made. This combination makes you highly sought after across many sectors, from government and NGOs to media and research.

Typical career paths our graduates follow include:

Policy Analyst or Advisor in government, think tanks, or NGOs
Social Researcher or Data Analyst in public or private organisations
Development Officer or Programme Manager for international aid agencies
Journalist, Communications Officer, or Media Specialist in global news and media organisations

And Edinburgh equips you with far more than just a degree. You’ll benefit from a full range of support to help you build your future:

Dedicated career services: The University’s award-winning Careers Service offers personalised career advice, internship guidance, employer events, and networking opportunities — and you can keep using it for up to two years after you graduate.
Career development hub: The School of Social and Political Science has its own Student Development Hub, where you’ll find tailored workshops, job-search support, and connections to graduate schemes.
Strong employability outcomes: Around 83% of graduates from this programme are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating.
Competitive salaries: Recent graduates report average starting salaries of around £25,000–£32,000, depending on the sector they enter.
Global networks and partnerships: Through Edinburgh’s partnerships with research institutes, NGOs, policy groups, and international organisations, you’ll have access to opportunities that can launch your career on a global stage.
Long-term career value: The unique combination of anthropology and politics makes your degree versatile and relevant in many fields — from diplomacy and public policy to media and development.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re interested in continuing your studies, this degree also sets you up perfectly for postgraduate pathways. Many graduates go on to complete a Master’s in areas like Anthropology, International Relations, Public Policy, or Social Research, while others pursue PhDs and research careers. You could also choose a more professional route, such as postgraduate study in journalism, public administration, or diplomacy, depending on your career goals.