Anthropology and Sociology

A majority of our PhD graduates have embarked on an academic career, taking up lectureships in universities in the UK as well as abroad, or pursuing further their interests through post-doctoral fellowships and other research-based posts.

At the same time, SOAS anthropology PhD graduates have gone on to a range of occupations in the fields of social and market research, development organisations at home and overseas, international and national government and policy, heritage and museum services, journalism and in advisory services of many kinds.

Social anthropology is widely regarded by employers as an excellent training, equipping holders of the degree with a range of sought after skills. The MPhil/PhD offers graduates the opportunity to enhance their qualitative research skills and advance their expertise in their chosen field of study. Thus equipped, they are valuable not only for generating the empirical data required for reaching certain decisions, but also for providing the necessary critical tools that enable organisations to innovate and address the challenges of a fast changing world.

Why study MPhil/PhD in Anthropology and Sociology at SOAS

• We are ranked 6th in the UK and 19th in the world for Anthropology (QS World University Rankings 2024)
• 3rd in the UK for Employer Reputation (QS World University Rankings 2024)
• 6th in the UK for Academic Reputation (QS World University Rankings 2024)
• 4th in the UK (2023 Times/Sunday Times League Table)

The SOAS PhD in Social Anthropology is recognised by the ESRC as both a +3 and 1+3 course. (See ESRC Scholarships and MRes in Social Anthropology)