- 7th in the UK for our research overall in Anthropology in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
- =12th in the UK for Anthropology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
- 13th in the UK for Anthropology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
For more than 50 years, Anthropology at Sussex has been at the forefront of anthropology's engagement with real-world problems. Anthropology gives you an in-depth understanding of global cultures and societies, helping you to grasp your place in the world, so you can make a difference.
You’ll learn from experts who influence debate on topics such as gender relations, migration, economic and political inequality, religion, health and reproduction.
Combining anthropology with a language gives you the tools to better understand the culture and society of the countries in which your chosen language is spoken. Choose one language from Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, or you can choose to study English Language Teaching.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Open Days and virtual visits
Meet us on campus or online
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for this course are currently under review – please check back in early March 2024.
Modules
This is a major/minor course, enabling you to study in depth in a core area (your major subject: taking up 75% of your time), while also exploring an additional area (your minor subject: taking up 25% of your time).
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Arabic Beginners A
- Arabic Intermediate A
- British Sign Language and Deaf Culture 1A
- Chinese Beginners A
- Chinese Intermediate A
- French Beginners A
- French For Professional Purposes 1A
- French Intermediate A Year 1
- German Beginners A
- German Intermediate A
- Italian Beginners A
- Italian Intermediate A
- Japanese Beginners A
- Japanese Intermediate A
- Spanish Beginners A
- Spanish for Professional Purposes 1A
- Spanish Intermediate A Year 1
- Arabic Beginners B
- Arabic Intermediate B
- British Sign Language and Deaf Culture 1B
- Chinese Beginners B
- Chinese Intermediate B
- French Beginners B
- French For Professional Purposes 1B
- French Intermediate B Year 1
- German Beginners B
- German Intermediate B
- Italian Beginners B
- Italian Intermediate B
- Japanese Beginners B
- Japanese Intermediate B
- Spanish Beginners B
- Spanish for Professional Purposes 1B
- Spanish Intermediate B Year 1
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Arabic Advanced A
- Arabic Intermediate A
- British Sign Language and Deaf Culture 2A
- Chinese Advanced A
- Chinese Intermediate A
- French Advanced A
- French for Professional Purposes 2A
- French Intermediate A
- German Advanced A
- German Intermediate A
- Italian Advanced A
- Italian Intermediate A
- Japanese Advanced A
- Japanese Intermediate A
- Spanish Advanced A
- Spanish for Professional Purposes 2A
- Spanish Intermediate A
- Arabic Advanced B
- Arabic Intermediate B
- British Sign Language and Deaf Culture 2B
- Chinese Advanced B
- Chinese Intermediate B
- Cities and Urban Lives
- Culture and Representation
- Ethnographic Field Research
- French Advanced B
- French for Professional Purposes 2B
- French Intermediate B
- German Advanced B
- German Intermediate B
- Italian Advanced B
- Italian Intermediate B
- Japanese Advanced B
- Japanese Intermediate B
- Spanish Advanced B
- Spanish for Professional Purposes 2B
- Spanish Intermediate B
- Visual Anthropology
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Study abroad (optional)
Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you
If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student
Study Abroad and Placements – Geert De Neve, Head of Anthropology
Placement (optional)
To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.
Find out more about placements and internships
Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
Options
You choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Anthropology of the Body
- Arabic Advanced A
- Arabic in Context A
- British Sign Language and Deaf Culture 3A
- Chinese Advanced A
- Chinese in Context A
- Death, Dying and the Corpse
- Development, Business and Corporate Social Responsibility
- French Advanced A (B)
- French For Professional Purposes 3A
- French in Context A
- German Advanced A
- German in Context A
- Human Rights
- Italian Advanced A
- Italian in Context A
- Japanese Advanced A
- Japanese in Context A
- Slavery, Emancipation and Legacies
- Spanish Advanced A (B)
- Spanish for Professional Purposes 3A
- Spanish in Context A
- The Anthropology of Geopolitics
- Understanding Contemporary India
- Arabic Advanced B
- Arabic in Context B
- British Sign Language and Deaf Culture 3B
- Chinese Advanced B
- Chinese in Context B
- Cults, Conspiracies and Political Religion
- Environmental Anthropology
- French Advanced B (B)
- French For Professional Purposes 3B
- French in Context B
- German Advanced B
- German in Context B
- Italian Advanced B
- Italian in Context B
- Japanese Advanced B
- Japanese in Context B
- Political Ecology and Environmental Justice
- Race, Ethnicity and Identity
- Re-Designing Life: Anthropological Approaches to New Biotechnologies
- Spanish Advanced B (B)
- Spanish for Professional Purposes 3B
- Spanish in Context B
Autumn teaching
Autumn and spring teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Anthropology at Sussex
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)
Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
The World Health Organization invited me to join their discussions on how to make human rights more effective in maternal health.”Professor Maya Unnithan
Professor of Social and Medical Anthropology
Anthropology
Prof Filippo Osella
Professor Of Anthropology And South Asian Studies
Dr Rebecca Prentice
Reader in Anthropology and International Development
Prof Margaret Sleeboom-Faulkner
Professor of Social & Medical Anthropology
Languages
Fees
Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2025/26 – please check back in September 2024. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.
Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex
Find out about our terms and conditions
Scholarships
Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26.
Careers
Studying our Anthropology with a Language BA will enhance your communication and language skills, which are highly valued by employers. Your degree is versatile and can lead to careers in:
- arts, media and journalism
- civil and diplomatic services, politics and research
- international organisations and public and private sectors.
At Sussex, you can attend specialist careers talks, drop-in sessions and workshops with industry representatives and potential employers.
Graduate destinations
Recent Anthropology graduates have taken up jobs such as:
-
project manager, Pepal Sustainable Change, Tanzania
-
press officer, British Film Institute
-
migrant rights advocate, London.
(Department of Anthropology careers database)
Working while you study
Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work