Study anthropology abroad

Anthropology is the study of humans, our societies and cultures and how they’ve developed. It can also cover aspects of human biology and evolution, including the behavior of primates. It’s a wide ranging subject that seeks to answer questions about human development, culture and aims to help us better understand ourselves.

Degrees in anthropology can cover elements of linguistic, social and evolutionary anthropology, and will also have cross over with other subjects like biology, sociology and archeology. It’s the ideal subject for students who are interested in people, the way we work and why we’ve evolved to where we are today.

By studying anthropology abroad you’ll be able to see how a different culture and society interacts, adding a new perspective to your understanding of the subject. Anthropology degrees are available at universities and colleges all over the world, and by studying abroad, you'll have a huge range of programs to choose from.

The exact focus and content of every anthropology program will be different at each university or country. Most programs cover biological anthropology, which looks at human evolution and human interactions with the environment, and social anthropology, which explores cultural and social differences, practices and beliefs.

Most anthropology programs at undergraduate level last for three or four years, depending on the country you choose to study in. At master’s level, your program will take between one and three years, and PhD programs can last anywhere between three and six years.

At the end of your undergraduate program you will usually receive a BSc degree but you can also get a BA. Many of the modules are the same for both types of degree, but BSc programs tend to focus more on the science aspects of anthropology.

Anthropology programs are usually taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and seminars, and you’ll be expected to spend a lot of your time doing independent study. You’ll be assessed through written coursework, written exams and practical exams. Some programs will also include field trips or the option of taking a year abroad.

Here are some of the modules and subjects you can expect to study on an anthropology degree program:

A degree in anthropology will give you a huge number of transferable skills that mean you’ll be able to pursue a number of careers. Popular roles for anthropology graduates include:

• Charity worker
• Policy officer
• Government officer
• Market researcher
• Social researcher
• Community worker
• Higher education lecturer
• Social worker
• Human resources officer

As anthropology degrees can include elements of science and humanities, it means you’ll have a diverse range of skills that many employers value.