Social Anthropology and Politics

Question your assumptions and think differently about some of the biggest questions of our time.

From the politics of contemporary issues such as migration and gender inequality to how political leaders make decisions and social movements challenge them, this course will teach you to reassess the world around you.

Why study this course?

• Find out how communities shape politics and discover an appreciation of complex lived experiences from around the world.

• Gain a global understanding. As Europe's youngest and most culturally diverse city, Birmingham is the perfect place to pursue a degree in Social Anthropology and Politics.

• Alongside practical research experience, you will gain critical and transferable skills that open up a broad range of career opportunities. You can also take advantage of our work-based placements and employability focused modules available to all our students.

• Enjoy an active and social student community - from talks, trips and podcasts to quizzes and celebrations. In recent years, our first years have enjoyed a Sudanese food evening and second and third years have gone on trips to the V&A in London and the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford.

Top 10 in the UK for Anthropology in the Complete University Guide 2025

First-year modules cover a broad base of the subject and are designed to introduce you to ways of studying at university. By the final year the modules you take will become more specialised and reflect the research expertise of the academic staff. More detailed module information can be found on the course page.