Program Overview

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Anthropology and Geography, MA

Overview

This degree brings together two closely linked and relevant subjects. Through various course choices, you will build your understanding of human societies and develop a greater understanding of the earth in which they lived.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: LL67
• Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme

Introduction

Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultural differences. Responding to the challenges of our time, such as how to live sustainably on our planet, we need to know how people in different places live and give meaning to their existence.

We need to see the connections among all aspects of life – family, economic, political, religious, ecological – that are otherwise parcelled up between different disciplines for separate study. Anthropology provides this approach. It looks at social life ‘from the inside’, from the point of view of those living it.

Geography is a fantastic subject to study with anthropology as it focuses on the relationship between people and their environment. Few other subjects cover such a diversity of phenomena, combining elements of the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. Geography is key to understanding and resolving many of the most pressing problems faced by society, including climate change, poverty, energy transitions, sustainable development and environmental conservation.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Social Sciences (AW1006)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Introduction to Anthropology: Peoples of the World (AT1003)
  • Creating the Anthropocene (GG1010)
  • Introduction to Anthropology: Questions of Diversity (AT1502)
  • The UN Sustainable Development Goals: Transforming Our World (GG1512)
• Optional Courses: Plus 60 credit points from courses of choice.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Key Debates in Anthropology (AT2010)
  • Space, Economy and Society (GG2014)
  • Reimagining Colonialism (AT2515)
  • Skills and Techniques in Geosciences (GG2508)
• Optional Courses: Plus two courses from the following:
  • Physical Environments (GG2013)
  • Environment and Society (GG2509)
  • Mapping and Monitoring the Environment (GG2510)

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Anthropological Theory (AT3027)
  • Approaches to Geography (GG3071)
  • Research Design (GG3574)
• Optional Courses: Plus a further 30 credit points from level 3 or 4 courses in Geography.
• One Term 2 level 3 Anthropology course from the following:
  • Comparative Constitutional Systems (AT3557)
  • Emotion, Self and Society (AT3558)
  • The Political Anthropology of Indigenous Rights (AT3559)
  • More Than Human (AT3560)

Year 4

• Optional Courses:
  • EITHER:
    • Joint Honours Dissertation in Anthropology (AT4047)
    • Geographical Issues (GG4537)
  • OR:
    • Geography Dissertation (AT4023)
    • One Term 1 level 4 Anthropology course from the following:
      • Roads, Mobility, Movement, Migration (AT3061)
      • Anthropology of the North (AT4062)
    • One Term 2 level 4 Anthropology course from the following:
      • Comparative Constitutional Systems (AT4557)
      • Emotion, Self and Society (AT4558)
      • The Political Anthropology of Indigenous Rights (AT4559)
      • More Than Human (AT4560)

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Group Projects
• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
• Written examinations at the end of each course.

Why Study Anthropology and Geography?

• Study at a nationally and internationally renowned university for Anthropology.
• Aberdeen is ranked 1st in the UK for Earth Sciences.
• Aberdeen is ranked 1st in the UK for overall student satisfaction in Anthropology.
• An education in anthropology not only furnishes us with knowledge about the world; it also educates our perception of the world, and opens our eyes to other possibilities of being.
• Your Geography degree provides great flexibility.

Careers

• Anthropology and Geography Expert and Consultant.
• Teaching.
• GIS Officer.
• Town Planning.
• Conservation.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers:
  • Standard: AABB
  • Minimum: BBB
  • Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS:
  • Standard: BBB
  • Minimum: BBC
  • Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and Funding

• Tuition Fees:
  • England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
  • EU / International students: £20,800
  • Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme.
  • Home Students: £1,820

Scholarships and Funding

• UK Scholarship: Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding.
• Aberdeen Global Scholarship: The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.