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.

Monogolian students dancing at graduation

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

News

View all

30 Jul 2026

British Academy elects Cambridge anthropologists to Fellowship

Professors Rebecca Cassidy and Joel Robbins

27 Jul 2026

How might anthropology help us navigate free speech debates?

Matei Candea and Reason, Carnival and Honour book cover

27 Jul 2026

Winner of the 2026 Sue Benson Prize

Winner of the 2026 Sue Benson Prize stands outside her College in her gown

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

Prospective students

Crowd of people from above
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.

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.

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