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Undergraduate
UCAS code:L603
Department of Anthropology

BSc Social Anthropology

Explore what makes us human. Learn about different rituals, belief systems and cultural practices. Study in the UK's top-rated anthropology research department.
BA/BSc Social Anthropology at LSE

Overview

Introduction

If you’re an imaginative, critical thinker who wants to understand why the world is as it is, our BSc 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.

Entry requirements

Here, you can check our entry requirements for GCSEs, A-levels (please read them alongside our information about subject combinations) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We also consider applications from students with a range of other UK qualifications and from overseas. Please select the overseas button below and choose your country from the dropdown list to find the equivalency to A-levels of your qualification.

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We welcome students from all walks of life at LSE. We want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation. So, whatever your background, please do apply. Get all the details on our general entry requirements.

Competition for places at LSE is high. We cannot guarantee you an offer of a place even if you’re predicted or achieve our standard entry requirements.

Our standard offer requirements are intended only as a guide and, in some cases, you’ll be asked for different grades.

Programme content

Anthropology can be considered an art or a science so you choose either the BA or BSc title for your degree award – the course content is the same. See BA Social Anthropology.

On this programme, you’ll study 12 units over three years, plus LSE100.

You’ll have the chance to apply for a year abroad with one of our partners.

Politics or International History specialism

If you take and pass at least one course from the departments of Government or International History in each year of your degree (25% of the overall programme), you’ll have the option to add a specialism from the subject studied to your degree award, for example:

BSc in Social Anthropology (with Politics)

BSc in Social Anthropology (with International History)

To qualify, you must take an introductory course in your first year and more advanced courses in the second and third years.

Year 1

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.

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the department

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.

Your application

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.

Overview

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

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.

122
Applications
17
Intake
7:1
2022 Ratio

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for each year of your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

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£9,250

Home student fee per each year of your programme

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

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Graduate destinations

Overview

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

Median salary of our undergraduate students 15 months after graduating:

£27,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media, Entertainment, Publishing and Journalism
Recruitment amd Employment Activities
Law and Legal Services
Financial and Professional Services
Education, Teaching and Research
This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

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Programmes offered by different institutions with similar names can vary quite significantly. We recommend researching the programmes you're interested in and taking into account the programme structure, teaching and assessment methods, and support services available.

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