Studying Social Anthropology

A leader in teaching and researching about urgent societal challenges in cross-cultural comparison, Manchester is the perfect place to study Social Anthropology in the 21st century.

Student stories and experiences

Our teaching

• We are strongly committed to teaching and the student experience, as indicated by our consistently high scores on the National Student Survey (NSS) over the past 10 years, with 92% satisfaction in 2022.
• We ensure that all classes are engaging by linking theoretical analyses with contemporary issues and by encouraging you to pursue your own passions.
• We make innovative use of digital technologies and software to enhance your learning experience.
• Employability skills are embedded throughout your degree. You will gain transferable skills that employers value.
• We value student feedback. You will be our partners in continuing to improve the student learning experience.

How you'll learn

Through ethnographic and creative research methods, anthropologists at Manchester shed light on some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Our department has a diverse set of expertise, from migration to material cultures.

Overall, our strengths lie in visual anthropology, the study of global social and health inequalities, and urban and environmental challenges. Since all staff are involved in teaching as well as research, you will be learning from experts doing cutting-edge work. Learn more about our research projects:

• Research projects

You will explore theoretical and timely issues not only in academic contexts but also in conversation with material and people beyond the University.

Our students in the Anthropology of Development and Humanitarianism module have created an Anthropology of Aid website over the past years, in dialogue with aid workers from the British Red Cross, Save the Children, organisations assisting refugees and asylum seekers, and more.

A unique experience