Anthropology is the study of human diversity around the world. In studying anthropology, you will learn how different societies live together and think about such topics as family, sex, religion, art, and economics and gain skills increasingly in demand in a globalized and automated world.
The BA in Anthropology at Queen’s will allow you to examine some of the deepest and most pressing questions about human beings. Issues addressed in our modules include:
- Does globalisation mean the end of cultural differences?
- Can a post-conflict society heal?
- How do ritual traditions, musical performances, and art shape cultural identities?
- How do some people become willing to die for a group?
Through classroom modules, optional placements, performance ensembles and your own anthropological fieldwork, you will also gain valuable skills in critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, researching, interviewing, writing, and presenting.
Global Opportunities
As part of their dissertation study in years 2 and 3, students have carried out ethnographic field research around the world, including on orphanages in Kenya, AIDS in southern Africa, education in Ghana, dance in India, NGOs in Guatemala, music in China, marriage in Japan, backpacking in Europe, and whale-watching in Hawaii.
Students have the opportunity to use practice-based research skills during eight weeks of ethnographic fieldwork in areas of their specialisation, which can entail working with organisations around the globe.
World Class Facilities
Anthropology at Queen's provides students access to world-class facilities, including; The Ethnomusicology Performance Room, which includes a variety of musical instruments from around the world, a collection that has grown since the 1970s when Ethnomusicology was first established as an International Centre at Queen’s by the late Prof John Blacking. These instruments, together with the sprung performance room floor, facilitate music and dance ensembles, enabling our unit to remain one of the leading departments in Ethnomusicology.
Internationally Renowned Experts
Anthropology at Queen’s is internationally renowned in the following areas: Ethnomusicology and performance; Conflict and borders; Religion; Cognition and culture; Migration and diasporas; Irish studies; Material culture and art; Human-animal relations and The cross-cultural study of emotions.
Students can also work with world-class institutions, including; Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice: The Institute of Cognition and Culture; The Institute of Irish Studies; Two International Summer schools, including the Irish Studies Summer School; and the Conflict Transformation and Social Justice Summer School.
Student Experience
- Anthropology combines an understanding of cultural diversity through human behaviour and expression with a hands-on method of study that focuses on lived experience.
- Queen's offers the only anthropology course in the UK that combines the study of expressivity (through art and music) with thematic strands on conflict, religion, cognition, and business anthropology.
- Anthropology at Queen’s offers the opportunity to learn about human and cultural diversity through field research funded by the university.
- There is a focus on creativity, performance, religion, the study of conflict, and business anthropology, that sets Queen's apart from other UK universities.
- In the Guardian University Guide 2020, Anthropology was ranked 4th in the UK for student: staff ratios.
- Our National Student Survey results have returned 100% student satisfaction with the course consistently since 2019.