Department of Social Anthropology

We are a leading global centre for anthropological teaching and research. Cambridge anthropologists have long been at the forefront of the discipline, conducting innovative frontline research worldwide. We combine a strong tradition of undergraduate education with world-class postgraduate training.

Prospective students

Graduation performances of Mongolian dance students by Gol Tengis
Undergraduate study

Social Anthropology is taught as part of Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS), a unique interdisciplinary degree only offered at Cambridge.
Feasting by Juliette Gautron
Postgraduate study

Choose from our three MPhil courses, each designed for different academic backgrounds and research interests.

The Cham Ceremony of Hohhot by Gol Tengis
PhD in Social Anthropology

Unparalleled as a place to study for a PhD, combining world-class supervision and resources, with a friendly, intellectually challenging environment.
Aerial crowd shot. Getty Images

Why study Social Anthropology?

Explore cultural and social diversity - identities, values, faiths, family dynamics, political and economic struggles - from the intimate to the global scale.

What we offer

Connect with us

Department walk to Grantchester. December 2025
People

Browse our staff profiles and locate research expertise in the Department.
Celebrating the Deceased by Devi Chakrabarti
Research

Our open and inclusive research strategy is organised around staff's interests, clustered around five broad themes.
Students watching lecture
Events

We host and support many events throughout the academic year, reflecting the wide range of interests in the Department.

News

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19 Jun 2026

Latest issue of the Cambridge Journal of Anthropology is published

11 Jun 2026

New research: Why is effective action being taken on some drivers of suicide and not others?

Futuristic glowing AI head

5 Jun 2026

Engaging communities on the front line of conservation

25 Feb 2026

World-wide recognition for teaching excellence at Cambridge

students at the Backs

29 Jan 2026

Xolu Dakar bi (The Heart of Dakar): A collaborative exhibition

Xolu Dakar bi (The Heart of Dakar) exhibition at Cambridge Artspace during the 2025 Cambridge Festival

26 Jan 2026

The More We Know

Forwarding Power by Caroline Bazambanza

Resources

Postgraduate Photography Celebration
Our annual competition showcasing postgraduate's fieldwork photographs. Judges award images that convey a strong sense of human life and experience.
Camthropod Podcast
Produced by students and staff, our podcast includes interviews with visiting speakers, aspects of research or observations on daily life.
Open Encyclopedia of Anthropology
A growing teaching and learning resource that facilitates access to scholarship in Social Anthropology for experts and non-experts worldwide.
Cambridge Journal of Anthropology
An international, peer reviewed, fully open access journal that is part of the Berghahn Open Anthro subscribe-to-open initiative.

Quick links