Anthropology is the systematic study of people. It examines and studies the role of social, cultural, economic, political, natural and environmental factors in the development of people and communities. As a discipline, Anthropology is interconnected. It bridges the life sciences, the social sciences and the humanities and is closely related to fields ranging from biology to fine arts. Additionally, Anthropology is an important academic discipline that contributes to multiculturalism, environmental studies and globalisation.

Students who pursue a course in Anthropology learn about human societies and cultures around the world, including when they were formed and how they are changing. This perspective is used by anthropologists to understand the ways in which people differ from one another. By drawing on knowledge from many cultures, Anthropology can provide great insights into understanding contemporary human societies and provide solutions for the future. 

Anthropology students learn a variety of skills that focus on collecting and organising data about human behaviour, formulating theoretical and practical questions about human life, and interpreting data using useful thought techniques. These skills can be applied to all engagements involving people, cultures and societies and job opportunities are varied for anthropology graduates in the field of law, medicine, education, business, community development, social services and human resources.

Study levels:

Admission requirements for Anthropology degrees tend to be quite flexible, reflecting the diversity of the subject matter itself and students can choose to study the subject at the undergraduate level of about three and four years, two years at the postgraduate level and a PhD lasting three and six years. The different programs offered by colleges and universities under these study levels include:

• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Archaeology
• Bachelor of Science in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology
• Bachelor of Science in Anthropology with emphasis on Human Biology
• Bachelor Degree in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
• Bachelor of Science in Market Management Anthropology
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Anthropology
• Bachelor of Arts in Applied Anthropology
• Master of Arts in Anthropology
• Master of Arts in Cultural Anthropology
• Master Degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Master of Science in Anthropology and Development Studies
• Master of Arts in Visual Anthropology
• Master of Arts in Anthropology and Social Change
• Master of Arts in Anthropology of Food
• Ph.D. in Anthropology
• Ph.D. in Anthropology and Linguistics
• Ph.D. in Applied Anthropology
• Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Anthropology

Specialisations:

Anthropology is a broad subject with a varied number of specialisation areas. Depending on the degree that the students are enrolled in, they have the opportunity to combine several topics or are required to choose a single topic at the beginning of their degree.

The different areas of specialisation in Anthropology include:

• Cultural Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Socio-cultural Anthropology
• Comparative Anatomy and Human Evolution
• Biological Anthropology
• Forensic Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology
• Linguistic Anthropology
• Environmental Anthropology
• Economic Anthropology
• Development Anthropology
• Evolutionary Anthropology
• Physical Anthropology

Employability:

A degree in Anthropology can lead to a surprisingly wide range of challenging careers both in the public and private-sectors, each of which value talent and expertise in human behaviour.

Some of the most popular career paths available to graduates range from careers in social research, policy development, media and communications, arts, culture and heritage, education, community and social work and much more.

Possible job titles include:

• Anthropologist
• Scientist
• Attorney
• Diversity Officer
• Foreign Language Teacher
• Foreign Service Officer
• Human Resources Representative
• International Non-profit Organization Administrator
• Interpreter/Translator
• Public Health Specialist
• Medical Researcher
• Tour Guide
• Archivist
• Cultural Resource Manager
• Urban Planner
• Curator
• Linguist
• Teacher/Lecturer