BA Social Anthropology

If you’re an imaginative, critical thinker who wants to understand why the world is as it is, our BA Social Anthropology is the perfect choice.

You’ll examine the variable and universal aspects of human culture and society and the political, economic, family, and religious systems that influence people’s beliefs, values and practices. At every stage, we’ll encourage you to look at the world in new ways and challenge your own perceptions.

Rated the top anthropology department in the UK for research, LSE has pioneered anthropology fieldwork methodologies used worldwide. The programme provides full training in anthropological research methods and you’ll complete an in-depth ethnographic study.

You can take part in our Summer fieldwork projects scheme and apply to spend a year abroad with one of our global partners. All students have the option to add a language specialism to their degree – see the "Programme content" section for details.

If you wish to gain further insight into social anthropology, we suggest that you look at one or more of the following books. The general introductory texts will allow you to get a sense of the discipline's coverage, while the ethnographies will allow you to dig deeper into specific isues and give you a flavour of the primary materials you will be engaging with during your degree. We have offered a wide selection to allow you to choose texts that mesh closely with your personal interests.

General introductions to anthropology

• R Astuti, J Parry and C Stafford (eds) Questions of Anthropology (Berg, 2007)
• M Engelke Think Like an Anthropologist (Pelican 2017)
• C Geertz The Interpretation of Cultures: selected essays (Basic Books, 1973)

Ethnographies

Gender, poetry and emotions:

• L Abu-Lughod Veiled sentiments: honor and poetry in a Bedouin society (University of California Press, 1986)

Cyber-ethnography, the virtual:

• T Boellstorff Coming of Age in Second Life: an anthropologist explores the virtually human (Princeton University Press, 2008).

Gender, sexuality:

• S G Davies Challenging Gender Norms: five genders among the Bugis in Indonesia (Thomson Wadsworth, 2007)

Hunter-gatherers, shamanism, cosmology:

• P Descola The Spears of Twilight: life and death in the amazon jungle (The New Press, 1998)

Race, education and achievement:

• S Fordham Blacked Out: dilemmas of race, identity and success at capital high (University of Chicago Press. 1996)

Economics, globalisation:

• R J Foster Coca-Globalization: following soft drinks from New York to New Guinea (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008)

Medical ethics, law, feminism:

• F Ginsburg Contested Lives: the abortion debate in an American community (University of California Press, 1998)

War, anti-colonialism/nationalism, religion:

• D Lan Guns and Rain: guerillas and spirit mediums in Zimbabwe (University of California Press, 1985)

Postcolonialism, exchange, modernity:

• C Piot Remotely Global: village modernity in West Africa (University of Chicago Press, 1999)

Christianity, morality, conversion:

• J Robbins Becoming Sinners: christianity and moral torment in a Papua New Guinea society (University of California Press, 2004)

The first year covers foundational knowledge in social anthropology. You’ll take three compulsory anthropology courses plus an introductory option from another department. These options include: economics, geography, international relations, law, philosophy, politics, sociology, social psychology, language and literature.

Additionally, you’ll ​also take LSE100.

Developing your skills in anthropology further, you’ll design and complete your own research project.

Year 2 allows you to deepen your knowledge of core anthropology themes with four half units from our list of semi-core courses. You can also choose social anthropology courses (worth one unit) from additional core courses, anthropology options or options from another department.

Depending on timetabling, you may also be able to take options from three colleges at the University of London with anthropology departments – Goldsmiths, University College London, and the School of Oriental and African Studies.

This year allows you to specialise in your chosen areas of interest. You’ll write an extended essay (dissertation) based on your chosen anthropological topic and take social anthropology courses (worth three units). These are chosen from our list of semi-core courses and anthropology options (which may include an option from another department).

You may be able to take options from three colleges at the University of London with anthropology departments (as above for second-year courses).

The Department of Anthropology is world-leading and internationally renowned – rated the top anthropology department in the UK (Good University Guide 2024).

Our work is rooted in ethnographic research: we explore how different societies and communities work. We ask big questions about what people have in common and what makes us different – challenging traditional assumptions and ideas.

Anthropology has been taught at LSE since 1904. The department rose to prominence under Malinowski – the founder of British social anthropology. Many of the leading figures in the field have taught and/or studied at LSE. Today, we strive to work in the best radical traditions of the discipline while constantly pushing our thinking in new directions.

The department offers a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate study opportunities, including a single honours degree in Social Anthropology and a joint undergraduate Anthropology and Law programme.

We have a dynamic and active research community. Long-term anthropological fieldwork is a key strength of our department. Most staff are involved in ongoing field research, in both well-established and emerging fields. Our academics also work at the intersections with other disciplines, including history, cognitive psychology and religious studies.

The department has strong international links. Leading scholars from around the world come to LSE as visiting academics. Postdoctoral fellows and PhD students also make important contributions to the department’s research.

We’re proud to welcome students from all over the world and diverse academic backgrounds to our vibrant, welcoming and inclusive department.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Department of Anthropology

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• an interest in diverse cultures and societies
• an inquisitive nature and the ability to ask incisive questions
• a creative and flexible mindset for academic study
• intellectual curiosity
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard.

This is the 2025/26 tuition fee. The home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

This is the 2025/26 fee for each year of your programme. The overseas tuition fee will remain at the same amount for each subsequent year of your full-time study regardless of the length of your programme. This information applies to new overseas undergraduate entrants starting their studies from 2025/26 onwards.

Formative coursework

All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. This helps prepare you for summative assessment. We use a wide range of formative assessment methods, such as essays, case studies, reports, quizzes and mock exams. Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the learning experience. Class teachers mark formative coursework and feedback is normally given within three weeks – provided the work is submitted on time.

Summative assessment

This assessment counts towards your final course mark and degree award.

Summative assessment is generally through continuous assessment, take-home examination or a traditional unseen examination in May or June each year.

In the second year, you’ll conduct an ethnographic study and write a report (up to 5,000 words) and, in the final year, you’ll write an extended essay (up to 8,000 words).

You’ll receive feedback on any summative coursework as part of the assessment for individual courses. Feedback is normally given within four weeks – provided the work is submitted on time.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods.

Social anthropology is not a vocational degree, but the capacities for critical analysis and lateral thinking you gain will provide an excellent foundation in many careers. What really makes our anthropology graduates stand out is their ability to simultaneously see the big picture and appreciate how a policy or idea will play out on the ground. Recent graduates have gone on to work in journalism, development, medicine and counselling, law, human rights, nursing, teaching, business, theatre and film.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.