MA Social Anthropology with Development
About this course
MA (Hons) in Social Anthropology with Development, a social sciences and anthropology degree examining human conduct, thought, and societal variation. The first year covers introductory themes through gender, personhood, work and making a living, and the house. The second year focuses on core concepts and methods through Social Anthropology 2: Key Concepts, Ethnography: Theory and Practice, and International Development, Aid, and Humanitarianism. The third year offers advanced study in subjects such as Anthropological Theory, Kinship: Structure and Process, Ritual and Religion, and Urban Anthropology.
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
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 28%: 7 offers from 25 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
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 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 33 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 76%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 2%
- Unemployed: 4%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Customer service occupations: 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 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 65%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Access course: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- No formal qualifications: 10%
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 Anthropology 2: Key Concepts
- Ethnography: Theory and Practice
- International Development, Aid, and Humanitarianism
- Anthropological Theory
- Kinship: Structure and Process
- Ritual and Religion
- Consumption, Exchange and Technology
- Anthropology of Health and Healing
- Urban Anthropology
- Ethnographies of the United States
- War and Peace: Anthropological Perspectives
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Social Anthropology with Development 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 £8,500 more than the UK median for Social sciences.
What do graduates of MA Social Anthropology with Development at University of Edinburgh do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Social Anthropology with Development 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 with Development 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.
What is the offer rate for MA Social Anthropology with Development at University of Edinburgh?
28% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 7 offers from 25 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Social Anthropology with Development 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 with Development at University of Edinburgh?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.