MSc Social Anthropology

Studying an MSc in Social Anthropology at LSE will give you a solid understanding of the subject, both in terms of its ethnographic diversity and its theoretical development. This programme is ideal for graduates with a degree in any discipline. Even if you have no prior knowledge of anthropology, you’ll enjoy developing a critical and comparative understanding of human societies and cultures over time.

The MSc provides an excellent introduction to the subject, even for those intending to pursue careers in other fields. It’s also ideal for those who want to undertake further research work in anthropology and related disciplines at LSE.

This is a 12-month programme consisting of one compulsory course, which examines the relationship between theory and ethnography in modern social and cultural anthropology. It covers the development of modern anthropological theory and the relationship between theoretical analysis and ethnographic data. You’ll also write a 10,000-word dissertation on an approved topic of your choice.

Teaching in the department is grounded in a strong tradition of fieldwork-based research, and you’ll benefit from the expertise and specialisms of our faculty. You’ll attend lectures and seminars every week as well as regular academic tutorials.

• L Bear Navigating Austerity (Stanford University Press, 2015)
• T H Erkisen Small Places, Large Issues: an introduction to social and cultural anthropology (Pluto Press, 2001) (If you have no existing knowledge of the subject)
• A Kuper Culture: the anthropologists’ account  (Harvard University Press, 2009)
• J Carsten After Kinship (Cambridge University Press, 2004)
• D James Money from Nothing (Wits University Press, 2014)
• N J Long Being Malay in Indonesia (University of Hawaii Press, 2013)
• S McKinnon and F Cannell  Vital Relations: modernity and the persistent life of kinship (School for Advances Research Press, 2013)
• R Willerslev Soul Hunters: hunting, animism, and personhood among the Siberian Yukaghirs (University of California Press, 2007)

This is a 12-month programme consisting of one compulsory course, optional courses to the value of two units, and an essay (dissertation). Attendance at seminars and at non-assessed tutorials is compulsory.

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 welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
• statement of academic purpose
• two academic references
• CV.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Please note: The applications, intake and ratio values below includes the Religion in the Contemporary World streams.

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.

There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It's designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. After examinations in June you are required to write an essay (dissertation) of not more than 10,000 words on an approved topic of your own choice, which is submitted in late August. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

The programme is an ideal preparation for research work in anthropology and related fields.

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.