MA Social Anthropology and Social Policy
About this course
MA (Hons) in Social Anthropology and Social Policy, a social policy and anthropology degree focused on human conduct, societal variation, and policy analysis. Core topics include Research Methods. The programme combines perspectives from both disciplines across a four-year undergraduate structure. The first year introduces foundational themes through compulsory study of gender, personhood, work and making a living, the house, consumption and exchange, health, the body, climate change, hunger, wellbeing, body modification, human rights, social needs, social problems, and social rights. Year 3 advances studies with compulsory modules including Analytical Perspectives in Social Policy and Imagining Anthropological Research, which prepares students for the dissertation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from AAA to AAB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: from 36 points with 665 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
What students say
Based on about 39 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 84%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 72%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 75 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 87%
- Gained a higher qualification: 7%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Media Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 140 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 20%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 54%
- Northern Ireland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 75 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 71%
- Baccalaureate: 9%
- Access course: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 11%
- No formal qualifications: 8%
Modules
- gender
- personhood
- work and making a living
- the house
- consumption and exchange
- health
- the body
- climate change
- hunger
- wellbeing
- body modification
- human rights
- social needs
- social problems
- social rights
- Analytical Perspectives in Social Policy
- Imagining Anthropological Research (a dissertation preparation course for students taking the social anthropology dissertation)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Social Anthropology and Social Policy at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £33,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,000 and £43,500. The £33,500 median after five years is £6,000 more than the UK median for Social policy.
What do graduates of MA Social Anthropology and Social Policy at University of Edinburgh do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Social Anthropology and Social Policy at University of Edinburgh?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Social Anthropology and Social Policy at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 176 UCAS points.
Does MA Social Anthropology and Social Policy at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Social Anthropology and Social Policy at University of Edinburgh?
87% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.