Social Anthropology and Social Policy, MA (Hons)

This joint degree programme offers a comprehensive foundation in social anthropology and social policy, disciplines that mutually enhance understanding of human societies and governance. Social anthropology examines human behaviour, thought, and the diverse social, cultural, and political variations across societies, highlighting the underlying commonalities. Social policy at the University of Edinburgh addresses key topics such as health, welfare, labour markets, education, family, and childhood, fostering confident engagement in contemporary political debates. It equips students to analyse policy impacts on society and the economy, while critically evaluating policy formulation and the roles of various stakeholders.The programme collaborates closely with governments, NGOs, third-sector organisations, and international bodies, emphasising international comparative analyses and empirical research skills to develop critical researchers. In the first two years, students explore a wide range of courses in both fields, with opportunities for specialisation in years three and four. This culminates in an individual research project, including up to four months of fieldwork in the UK or abroad, forming the basis of a dissertation.