Why Study Anthropology?

Why study anthropology?

Given anthropology’s broad focus on biological, evolutionary and social aspects of human life, it is appealing to students with a broad range of subject interests that cut across Science, the Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities.  At UCL, anthropology students learn how to think differently and critically about their own society and positionality in the world. They learn about the diverse everyday reality of communities across the globe and bring these micro perspectives to bear upon larger economic, political, social, environmental and structural transformations. They also learn to evaluate the evolutionary differences and similarities between human and non-human primates and consider human/environment interactions and their implications in a time of unprecedented global environmental change. All anthropology students are trained in social science research methods – both qualitative and quantitative – and learn how to use research as a critical tool to address the complex challenges of contemporary society.

What career does anthropology lead to?

Graduates in social science subjects offer a wide range of skills that are enormously valuable to employers across the public, private and third sectors.  This includes their discipline-specific knowledge, critical analysis, problem solving, writing skills, interpersonal communication, and qualitative and quantitative research skills. As reflective thinkers, anthropology graduates in particular bring their ability to question assumptions, understand complex issues holistically, on individual and cultural and societal levels, as well as understand people, institutions and their relationships to the employment arena. These skills are transferrable to a broad range of careers including teaching, social work, the civil service, the ‘not for profit’ sector and development, as well as advertising, the arts, museum curation, media, market research and business.

Key employment facts:

One year after graduation, nine in ten social science graduates are working, continuing their studies, or both - Campaign for Social Science

The employment rates of social science graduates are similar to those of graduates in STEM subjects; the 2017 Labour Force Survey shows that 88% of HSS graduates and 89% of STEM graduates were employed in that year - Qualified for the Future