Program Overview

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Anthropology and International Relations, MA

Overview

Anthropology and International Relations at Aberdeen is a great partnership, exploring what it means to ‘be human’ within the context of understanding how organisations, states and governments interact in an ever-changing global and economic context. You will gain the unique insights, perspective and skills to understand the issues, challenges and opportunities of the world today, opening up a range of very exciting career options.

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: LLP2
• Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme

Introduction

Anthropology will give you a thorough grounding in humanity, the differences in human cultures and communities and how they have developed. You will gain insights into behaviours, beliefs and attitudes all over the world, exploring connections between aspects of life such as family, economics, politics and religion.

International Relations will set this in the context of our fast-moving world, as you study how organisations work, how states interact, the connection between global wealth and poverty, why and how we have inequality in our world and the ever-present concerns of conflict and peace.

You will be taught by internationally renowned academics with strong track records in publishing international papers and articles and who appear regularly in the media, analysing and explaining world events from the viewpoint of their own area of expertise and research.

You will gain the perfect foundation for a wide range of careers, including local and national government, politics, journalism, NGOs, global business and international development.

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:
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Introduction to Anthropology: Peoples of the World (AT1003)
  • Politics & International Relations 1: Democracy and Governance (PI1018)
  • Introduction to Anthropology: Questions of Diversity (AT1502)
  • Politics & International Relations 2: Power and Conflict (PI1518)
  • Academic Writing for Social Sciences (AW1006)
• Optional Courses: Select a further 60 credit points from courses of choice.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Key Debates in Anthropology (AT2010)
  • Ideas and Ideologies in Politics and International Relations (PI2009)
  • Reimagining Colonialism (AT2515)
  • Global Politics: Equality and Inequality (PI2508)

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Anthropological Theory (AT3027)
• Optional Courses: One Level 3 Anthropology course plus one Level 3 Politics & International Relations course in term 2.

Year 4

• Optional Courses: Choose one of the following options:
  • Option 1:
    • Joint Honours Dissertation in Anthropology (AT4047)
    • Plus one first-half session level 4 Politics and International Relations course from options listed below
    • Plus one second-half session level 4 Anthropology course from the table below
    • Plus one second-half session level 4 Politics and International Relations course from the table below
  • Option 2:
    • Dissertation (International Relations) (IR4031)
    • Plus one first-half session level 4 Anthropology courses from options listed below
    • Plus one first half-session course from level 4 Anthropology courses listed below
    • Plus one second-half session level 4 Politics and International Relations courses from the table below

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• 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.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Anthropology and International Relations?

Anthropology

• Aberdeen is one of the fastest growing Anthropology departments in the UK
• Study at a nationally and internationally renowned university for Anthropology.
• Aberdeen is ranked 1st in the UK for overall student satisfaction in Anthropology (National Student Survey 2024)
• Our core staff specialise in regions as diverse as Canada, the Central Asian Republics, Iceland and Scandinavia, Siberia, Scotland and the UK, South America, Tibet and the Himalayas.
• We offer innovative ideas and a fresh vision of the subject, with an emphasis throughout on work at the cutting-edge of the discipline and research.
• Aberdeen has a vibrant student Anthropology Society and PIR Society, both of which regularly organise academic and social events, bringing together undergraduate and postgraduate students with staff outside the classroom

International Relations

• Aberdeen is ranked 8th in the UK for International Relations (Guardian University Guide 2025)
• Aberdeen is ranked 3rd in the UK for Overall Student Satisfaction (National Student Survey 2024)
• Gain a nuanced understanding of key concepts and paradigms that structure the disciplinary study of International Relations, and the theoretical and analytical tools to engage in debates about them
• Learn from experts actively engaged in research across several areas of thematic and regional specialisation.
• Develop transferable skills that are sought after by employers across multiple sectors, including: research skills, organisation and structure, critical evaluation of sources and arguments, logic of argumentation, independent study and judgement and written and oral communication

Careers

• International Relations careers in organisations globally
• Consultant or academic research
• Museum and gallery curator
• Social research
• Political research

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.

Fees and Funding

• 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.