Anthropology Bachelors in UK

A lot of our tips talk about how you can strengthen your application, but you can build a stronger application when you’ve done the things this program values in the years prior to the application. The application itself is the communication part (in which you communicate what you’ve done to the admission committee). Still, this section gives guidance on the substance part (what you can actually do before you apply). In this section, we talk about what you can do in the years leading up to applying that can make you an ideal candidate. Supplement the following tips with general tips (under the tab of ‘Pre-Application’) to become a competitive applicant.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND 

Degree Requirement:

Students interested in applying for an undergraduate degree in Anthropology do not need any specific secondary school background, i.e., there are usually no specific subject requirements. For BSc degrees, one or more Science subjects are sometimes desirable but not usually required. However, if you are applying to specializations that include science-related content, for example, Physical/Biological Anthropology or Forensics, then programs may require students to have some background in biology or a related subject.

Foundation Programs: Some universities offer foundation programs for students who do not meet the entry requirements of the program they are applying to. Foundation programs help bring students to the same level as others in their prospective program. These are mainly offered to students who show potential in their application and usually last for 1 year. Note, however, that not all programs offer foundation programs.

Coursework and Transcripts:

It may be useful to have Sociology as a subject in your prior studies; however, this is not a requirement. Biology is another valuable subject to take for some programs, particularly those incorporating science, as mentioned above.

• Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on transcripts (under the tab of ‘transcripts’).

GPA Requirement:

The A-level grade requirements usually range between AAA-BBB. For IB candidates, the minimum requirement is typically 31-38 points; however, this will likely vary according to the program. If you have studied under a different education system, you should check university pages for requirements for such a background, or you can call the university to find out if you are eligible to apply.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Since Anthropology is a research-oriented field, some background in research will make your application stand out. However, note that research experience is not a requirement for an undergraduate degree in Anthropology.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Work experience can make your application stand out; however, it is not often required for admission. Teaching and writing are considered valuable forms of experience by Sana Malik.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

• Any kind of fieldwork experience is highly recommended. Many degrees/programs involve fieldwork — having past experience with it can show the admissions committee that you are prepared for the degree/program.
• Sana Malik recommends that students read ethnographies that interest them, including both class ethnographic texts and contemporary ones. Such texts could show you how the field has changed over time and also give you exposure to the kind of questions asked by anthropologists in that specialization. Additionally, this could also help students understand the kind of methodology used by anthropologists over time to assess and represent various experiences. She adds that, aside from reading, there are multiple other media students can make use of – these include podcasts on Soundcloud and other websites, blogs, ethnographic films, etc. All of these can help you develop a better understanding of what the field is and how to engage with it meaningfully.

This section provides an overview of general guidelines pertaining to the application process. It also delineates the key components of the application process.

GENERAL ADVICE

The generally required components of the application for an undergraduate degree in Anthropology are transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement and a resume/CV. All of these components are important parts of your application. Otherwise, interviews are sometimes required – if they are required, then they are also an important part of the application. Lastly, English Proficiency Tests, such as TOEFL, are required and are important. Some top-tier universities require the submission of a writing sample/s too – this is more common for MA programs. If these are required, they also form an important part of your application.

Refer to the Program Selection Section for further information.

COMPONENTS

Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on overview (under the tab of ‘overview’).

Many applicants suffer the most because of inadequate information — or wrong information — about essays and personal statements. This section will address those inadequacies specifically in relation to applying for this program. Supplement the following field-specific tips with general tips (under the tab of ‘essay’) to craft a stellar personal statement.

BASIC INFORMATION

The personal statement is one of the important components of your application. It gives you an opportunity to explain to the admissions committee that you are equipped for this degree. Your UCAS personal statement has to be a maximum of 4000 characters (approximately 500 words). Below are tips on what to include and how to write this essay.

Note that in many cases, the programs outline what they expect candidates to write within the personal statement. The guidelines below are general in nature – we highly recommend you check program requirements first and make sure to fulfill those. Some programs may require you to answer a question (which they will mention on the entry/admission requirements page) – in such cases, you should focus on structuring your essay in accordance with this question.

TIPS ON GOOD AND BAD STATEMENTS 

What is essential in the statement:

• Within your personal statement, you should show all the ways in which you have pursued the study of Anthropology. This can be through academic means, in the form of subjects taken, or this can be through non-academic means, such as work/research experience or reading about the subject yourself. Note that reading about the subject because you are curious about it rather than because it is part of your academic studies shows your passion, initiative, and commitment to the subject.

What are some elements of exceptional statements?

• You should try to write about your future plans or what you plan to do with this degree in the future. This can include studying Anthropology at a postgraduate level (Master’s and Doctoral level study) or certain career paths related to the field that you plan to pursue. Note that the admissions committee doesn’t expect you to have a detailed plan set out. Writing about future goals (even general goals) just shows that you have a purpose behind pursuing this degree.

OTHER TIPS

 How can applicants manage the process of writing?

Sana Malik recommends brainstorming. She advises students to “list down things that matter to you, what you are interested in, and what you have done so far in those areas of interest. Make a Venn diagram if you can – see where these three categories overlap. Write down notes, draw, and be creative while brainstorming – you might not realize that you have a lot of interesting ideas until you sit down and brainstorm with a pen and paper.”

She adds that you need to be yourself when writing the essay. Students who write in an authentic way are appreciated by programs. Additionally, she comments on the importance of empathy in your writing — you need to show the admissions committee that you are aware of the diverse issues within the field and within the world at large. She recommends that students consider the ways in which they think about the world and their place in it.

This section will cover the basics of recommendation letters, which are one of the most important parts of the application process. Supplement the following field-specific tips with general tips (under the tab of ‘recommendations’) to ensure you have strong letters of recommendation.

BASIC INFORMATION

Usually, two letters of recommendation are required. For undergraduate degrees, academic references tend to be preferred. Your reference/s should highlight relevant skills that you have, for example, writing, research, critical thinking etc., to show that you are a good potential candidate for the program. References from teachers who have taught you Anthropology or a related subject are best. 

TIPS ON GOOD AND BAD LETTERS 

What is essential in the LoRs:

• The reference letter should be positive in nature, so make sure to choose recommenders who you are sure will write a positive review of your potential. Give them plenty of notice in advance so they have plenty of time to write it. Also, make sure you explain your motivations for studying anthropology in general and any specialization you have chosen particularly. You should also tell them about why you want to go for postgraduate study and why this particular program has been chosen. The letter should be relevant, so it is good to give the recommender some background.
• Highlight your strengths and experiences so the recommender can mention them in the letter.

What are bad LoRs/ what things to avoid

• References should not be written by personal contacts. The admissions committee wants to know more about your academic and professional capabilities and potential and less about your personal character.   
• Language teachers are not the best references; your language skills (non-English) can be viewed by the admissions committee through other application components.

OTHER TIPS:

• Make sure to give your professors plenty of time to write the LOR.
• Sana Malik recommends students try to consult with professors (who are going to be their referees) when deciding on various programs. She argues that student involvement during the LOR writing process is important –  try to interact with professors so they understand more about you, your selected program and your future aspirations. This can help improve the quality of the LOR if they eventually do write it.

WRITING SAMPLE

Some programs require the submission of 1-2 writing samples of work you have completed in your previous studies. Requirements on the nature of the written work vary – for example, Oxford requires applicants to submit two recently marked written works, which students completed within two weeks (as of 2019).

INTERVIEWS

• Interviews are not a common requirement.
• Students who have non-standard qualifications may be required to give an interview.

STANDARDIZED TESTS

As an international student, you will be required to prove proficiency in the English Language. Most universities require IELTS or TOEFL results, stating the minimum they will accept of their applicants.

• Typically, IELTS scores need to be 6.5, on average. The minimum requirement for each component is usually 6.0.

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These tips were compiled with the valuable help of SHAHEEN volunteers. The contributors to this tip sheet include the following people:

• Sana Malik Noon – MA, Anthropology, Goldsmiths, University of London

We thank our volunteers for their contribution and hope their tips and advice help you in your application. 

In addition, the following sources were also consulted in developing this tip sheet:

Undergraduate Anthropology – Discover Anthropology, University League Table – The Guardian, Universities – Discover Anthropology, UCAS, Universities offering Anthropology – Discover Anthropology, Anthropology – Complete University Guide, Anthropology – Which? University, Anthropology – The Guardian, Anthropology – Studyin-UK, Anthropology – Studying in the UK, Anthropology – Prospects

Good luck!