BA Social Anthropology - School of Orien

Tuition Fee

USD 26,450

Per year

Start Date

Medium of studying

On campus

Duration

36 months

Program Facts

About Program

About University

Admission Requirements

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Program Facts

Program Details

Degree

Bachelors

Major

Anthropology | Sociology

Area of study

Social Sciences

Education type

On campus

Timing

Full time

Course Language

English

Tuition Fee

Average International Tuition Fee

USD 26,450

Intakes

Program start date	Application deadline
2023-10-10	-
2024-01-16	-
2024-04-24	-

About Program

Program Overview

The BA Social Anthropology degree explores what it is to be human in a complex and changing world.

You will study the great variety of beliefs and practices that exist around the world, from remote communities to global cities. You will learn theoretical frameworks and question your own assumptions, helping you to think creatively about how to address global problems.

Bridging the humanities and social sciences, anthropology offers a unique approach grounded in real-world research allowing for a greater understanding in cultural differences, political dynamics, social conflict, and human creativity.

Studying at SOAS is unique as it draws from the regional expertise of our academics in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern languages and societies. If you are passionate about understanding human society and behaviour, and want to learn to think critically about the world around you, then this Anthropology course is for you.

Why study Social Anthropology at SOAS?

We are ranked 5th in the UK and 12th in the world for Anthropology (QS World University Rankings 2023).

We are ranked 4

in the UK (2023 Times/Sunday Times League Table).

Draw on the exceptional regional expertise of our academics in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern languages and politics, many of whom have joined us with a practical working knowledge of their disciplines.

Join our thriving community of alumni and academics who have an impact on the world outside of academia.

Flexibly structure your programme using our optional modules and/or optional modules from other departments, including the opportunity to learn a regional language.

We are specialists in the delivery of languages - your command of a second language at SOAS will set you apart from graduates of other universities.

Program Outline

Students take

120 credits per year

composed of compulsory and optional modules.

All students are expected to complete all compulsory modules.

Students are entitled to select

up to 30 credits

of Open Option modules per year.

These modules can be in anthropology or based in other departments within the School, either in another subject or a language option.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Students will take the following compulsory modules (90 credits in total):

Module	Credits
101A Anthropology in and of the World: An Introduction (A)	15
101B Anthropology in and of the World: An Introduction (B)	15
102A SOAS Anthropology Now (A)	15
102B SOAS Anthropology Now (B)	15
201 World Social Theory: Imagining Society from 500BCE to 1900	15
202 Social Theory, Reform and Revolution in an Age of Extremes	15

Guided options term 1

Students take the following guided option

a 15 credit module from the language open options.

Module	Credits
150 Mind at University	15

Guided options term 2

Students take one 15 credit module from the following guided options

a 15 credit module from the language open options list.

Module	Credits
190 Year 1 Seminar: Explorations in Anthropology	15
Languages of the World	15
Decolonising Pop: K-Pop and Beyond	15

Year 2

Credits must be taken in the following combination:

45 credits from Year 2 compulsory modules

and

45 credits from Year 2 guided options

and

Maximum of 30 credits from second year open options (language open options and non-language open optons)

Compulsory modules

Students will take the following modules (45 credits in total):

Module	Credits
211 Anthropology Through History	15
212 Theory in Anthropology	15
213 Ethnography in Practice	15

List A regional modules

Students will take 15 credits from List A

Note: the other regional module may be taken as a guided option under List B.

Module	Credits
301 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (I)	15
302 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (II)	15

List B guided options

Students will take a minimum of 30 credits from List B

and

a maximum of 30 credits from second year open options (language open options, and non-language open options).

Module	Credits
251 Anthropology of Economic Life	15
301 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (I)	15
302 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (II)	15
351 Migration, Borders and Space: Decolonial Approaches	15
352 Anthropology of 'Race', Gender and Sexuality	15
Language, Society and Communication	15
Beyond Regions: Cultures in the Diaspora	15

Year 3

Credits must be taken in the following combination:

30 credits from Year 3 compulsory modules

and

60 credits from Year 3 guided options

and

Maximum of 30 credits from Year 3 open options: language open options and non-language oipen options

Compulsory modules

Students will take the following modules (30 credits in total):

Module	Credits
401B Concepts in Anthropology (B)	15
401A Concepts in Anthropology (A)	15

Guided options

Students will take between a minimum of 30 credits from List A and a minimum of 30 credits from List B.

List A

Directed Readings in Anthropology can be taken in Term 1

Term 2 (

not both

)

If Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (I) or (II) is taken in Year 2 it

cannot

be taken again in Year 3

Module	Credits
301 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (I)	15
302 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (II)	15
351 Migration, Borders and Space: Decolonial Approaches	15
353 Anthropology and Climate Change	15
451 Medical Anthropology: An Introduction	15
Issues in Gender and Development	15
498A/B Directed Readings in Anthropology (T1/T2)	15

List B

Module	Credits
352 Anthropology of 'Race', Gender and Sexuality	15
453 Mind, Culture and Psychiatry	15
490 Special Topics in Contemporary Anthropology	15
499 Independent Study Project in Anthropology	30
Museums and Museology	15
The Music Business	15

And

Maximum of 30 credits from Third year open options

anguage and non-language open options.

The academic staff in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology are dynamic, experienced teachers who are widely recognised for their expertise and enjoy working directly with students. Renowned scholars from other institutions also come to share their knowledge. The SOAS Anthropology Department sponsors several lecture series that are open to students, including the weekly Departmental Research Seminar, the Food Studies Centre's Food Forum and the Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies’ Seminar Series.

In addition to these formal settings for learning, our students also learn from one another. Hailing from around the globe, their diverse life experiences make our classes an exciting, rich environment for cultural and intellectual exchange. Students also benefit from campus-wide programmes, clubs, study groups, and performances.

The modules are taught by lectures and group discussions. Students become active in class through their reading and essay-writing as well as their participation in discussion groups. Whatever the topic, modules draw particularly on ethnographic studies of China, Japan, South East Asia, South Asia, the Near and Middle East, West Africa and East Africa, as well as their diasporas.

Independent Study Project (ISP)

The ISP can be taken by final-year students only. This is an opportunity for students to conduct original anthropological research on their own initiative, to engage in in-depth analysis of particular subjects and to undertake ethnographic fieldwork and/or library-based research. It is supported by a bi-weekly seminar on anthropological research and writing and is assessed by a single 10,000-word dissertation (including notes but excluding bibliography).

SOAS Library

is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Pre-entry reading

Eriksen, Thomas H. 2015 Small Places, Large Issues: An Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology, Pluto Press.

Astuti, Rita, et al (eds.) 2007. Questions of Anthropology. Oxford: Berg.

Engelke, Matthew 2017. Think Like an Anthropologist. Pelican.

Abu-Lughod, Lila. 2015. Do Muslim Women Need Saving? Harvard University Press.

Fassin, Didier. 2013. Enforcing Order: An Ethnography of Urban Policing. Polity Press.

Kate Fox 2014. Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour. Stodder & Houghton.

Macclancy, J. 2002. Exotic No More: Anthropology on the Front Lines. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Das, V. 2006. Life and Words. Violence and the Descent into the Ordinary. University of California Press.

Students from SOAS’ Department of Anthropology and Sociology develop an in-depth understanding of the world. Employers value our graduates’ cultural awareness and global perspective, as well as their skills in analysis, data interpretation and problem-solving.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

Allen & Overy

BBC

British Council

Deloitte

Hackney Migrant Centre

IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development)

IOM- UN Migration

Media 52

New York Times

Social Mobility Foundation

The Week

UNICEF

United Nations Development Programme

World Bank Group

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School of Oriental and African Studies, London (SOAS)

Overview:

SOAS, the School of Oriental and African Studies, is a public research university in London, specializing in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It is renowned for its diverse academic programs, world-class research, and commitment to global understanding.

Services Offered:

Student Life and Campus Experience:

Key Reasons to Study There:

Global Focus:

World-Class Faculty:

Diverse Student Body:

Research Opportunities:

Academic Programs:

SOAS offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Arts:

Languages, Cultures, and Linguistics:

Social Sciences:

Other:

SOAS is a member of the University of London and is located in the heart of Bloomsbury, London. The university has a strong commitment to social justice and global citizenship, and its research and teaching contribute to a better understanding of the world.

Total programs

191

Admission Requirements

A Levels

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Austria

: Reifeprufungszeugnis / Maturazeugnis: four subjects at 1, 2, 2, 2

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Belgium

: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs: 75% (7.5/10, 15/20) overall

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Belgium

Bulgaria:

Diploma za Zavarsheno Sredno Obrazovanie: 5.3 and 5.0 in two State Maturity Exams

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Bulgaria

Canada:

High School Diploma

80% with 5 acceptable Grade 12 subjects (most territories).

British Columbia: AABBB in Grade 12 courses.

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Canada

China:

Senior Secondary Graduation Certificate + Gaokao

78% overall in Gaokao PLUS 85% overall in Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate (year 11 and 12)

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from China

Croatia:

Matura Certificate

4.5 overall with 5 in 1 Higher level subject

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Cyprus:

Apolytirion with 2 A-Levels

Apolytirion 18/20 + A-level grades BB

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Czech Republic:

Matura Certificate

1, 2, 2, 2

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Denmark:

Studentereksamen; Hojere Forberedelseseksamen; Hojere Handelseksamen; Hojere Teknisk Eksamen

7 plus 10, 7, 7 in three Level A subjects

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Denmark

Estonia:

Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus

4.0 with 85%, 80%, and 80% in 3 state exams

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Finland:

Ylioppilastukint / Studentexamen

four subjects at 6, 5, 5, 5

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

France:

French Baccalaureat or Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB)

13/20

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from France

Germany:

Abitur

1.8

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Germany

Greece:

Apolytirion of Geniko Lykeio with Pan Hellenic exams

18/20

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Greece

Hong Kong:

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

544 in two electives and one core (all other subjects grade 3)

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Hong Kong

Hungary:

Matura (Erettségi)

4.5 overall

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Iceland:

Stúdentspróf

7.5

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

India:

Standard XII

75% (CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & West Bengal boards), 80% (all other state boards)

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from India

Ireland:

Irish Leaving Certificate

H1, H2, H2, H3, H3

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Israel:

Bagrut

Overall grade of 7, 80% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Israel

Italy:

Diploma Consequito con L’Esame di Stato

80% overall

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Italy

Latvia:

Certificate of General Secondary Education

88% in four State subject exams

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Lithuania:

Brandos Atestatas

8.5/10 and 90%, 85%, 85% in three State Exam

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Lithuania

Malta:

Advanced Matriculation Certificate

AB (Advanced) + BBB (Intermediate)

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Netherlands:

Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs

7.5 overall with 8, 8, 7, 7 in four subjects

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Norway:

Vitnemål vidergaende opplaering

4.3 overall

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Norway

Poland:

New Polish Matura

75% in three Advanced Level subjects

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Poland

Portugal:

Diploma de Ensino Secundario

overall 17.5/20

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Romania:

Diploma de Bacalaureat

8.5 overall

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Romania

Singapore:

Polytechnic Diploma (Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Singapore, Temasek and Republic Polytechnic)

GPA 3.3

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Singapore

Slovakia:

Maturitná skúška / Maturita / Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške

four subjects at 1, 2, 2, 2

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

South Africa:

National Senior Certificate

77666

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from South Africa

Spain:

Curso de Orientación Universitaria / Título de Bachillerato

7.5

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Spain

Sweden:

Slutbetyg / Examensbevis från Gymnasieskolan

A in 1200 credits and no grades below D / 18 / mainly B overall (MVG/VG)

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Sweden

Switzerland:

Federal Maturity Certificate

4.5

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Switzerland

Tanzania:

Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education

ACSE with BBB in 3 principle subjects

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Tanzania

Trinidad and Tobago:

CAPE

Six CAPE units with grade 2 (+two double-unit courses)

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Turkey:

Lise Diplomasi

78-83% (depending on high school)

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from Turkey

USA:

High School Diploma plus ACT, SAT, or AP exams:

High School Diploma GPA 3.0

plus

SAT 1280

ACT 27

and

2 AP's at 4,4

High School Diploma GPA of 3.2

plus

2 AP's at 4,4

High School Diploma GPA 3.4

plus

SAT 1300

ACT 29

2-year Associate degree GPA 3.1

A Level equivalent

: ABB

Contextualised offer

: BBB

Information for prospective students from the USA

See

undergraduate entry requirements

and

English language requirements

for international and alternative entry requirements.

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