Anthropology and English

Anthropology and English is a pairing that sits at the productive intersection of two disciplines deeply concerned with how humans use language and narrative to make sense of their lives and their worlds. Anthropology examines humanity in all its cultural and social diversity, drawing on fieldwork and ethnographic methods to understand how different societies organise themselves and how people within them understand their experience. English literature engages with the creative and imaginative dimension of language, studying how writers across different periods and traditions have used narrative, poetry, and drama to explore what it means to be human.

At the University of Aberdeen, this four-year full-time programme develops both disciplines in depth. You will develop a thorough grounding in social and cultural anthropology, including the theoretical frameworks and research methods that the discipline has developed, alongside engagement with the full range of English literary traditions from the early modern period to the present. The programme includes a year abroad, which is particularly appropriate for a combination in which direct experience of cultural difference and immersion in different literary environments can both deepen your understanding.

The typical entry tariff of 168 points reflects the academic demands of a combined honours programme at Aberdeen.

You will develop critical thinking, the ability to analyse both texts and social practices with precision, cross-cultural awareness, and the research and communication skills that both disciplines develop.

Graduates pursue careers in journalism, publishing, education, international development, human resources, the cultural sector, research, and the voluntary sector. The combination of anthropological and literary analytical skills is genuinely transferable and valued across roles that require the ability to understand diverse human perspectives. Postgraduate study in anthropology, English, or cultural studies is a natural continuation.