Teaching
While learning Anthropology at Goldsmiths you will have opportunities to conduct research in the real world, immerse yourself in London and carry out your own ethnographic projects. In addition, we organise a rich calendar of events and study trips with our collaborators. These have included:
- BA Anthropology and Visual Practice students attending the RAI Ethnographic Film Festival both online and a few in person at the Watershed in Bristol
- MA Anthropology and Museum Practice students completing a practical training course at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, gaining hands-on experience in curation, conservation, education, community engagement and other areas of museum work
- Visits to KEW – Royal Botanic Gardens, the British Museum, and the Migration Museum, as well as to decolonial art and cultural galleries such as The Mosaic Rooms
- Tours at visual and material archives such as the Wiener Library, the Endangered Material Knowledge-Production, and the Black Cultural Archive
- Museum practitioner and activist visits to class sessions such as the Climate Museum
Developing your skills
You will have the opportunity to utilise the skills and knowledge acquired on your course to develop a grounded knowledge of key methods and benefit from opportunities to apply what you have learnt into real-life projects. For example:
- BA Anthropology and Visual Practice students undertake a collaborative teaching block in their second year where they are encouraged to make a short piece of audiovisual work for a local community or advocacy group
- Staff members regularly carry out small research projects engaging current BA students, including exhibitions and collaborative ethnographic events such as researching the Antiques Roadshow, as well as one day programmes like a Mudlarking Project
- BA Integrated Degree in Anthropology and BA Anthropology students undertake modules such as the Short Research Project, Anthropology in London, and the year three Individual Project, enabling you to put into practice key social science research methods
- MA Anthropology and Museum Practice gain ethnographic and contemporary methods for reshaping the museum
Opportunities
During your course, you will have a multitude of opportunities to enhance your studies:
- All students can join the Anthropology Society and are encouraged to publish in the journal Anthrways published by postgraduate students
- Students also have opportunities in years two and three to participate in studying abroad at a number of European universities, including Amsterdam and Cologne
- Regular talks with practicing anthropologists
Facilities
Anthropology's Loan Store offers a wide range of audio-visual equipment for students to borrow such as camcorders, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, sound recorders, microphones, lights and a variety of accessories.
Students have access to editing labs equipped with 27’ iMac computers with the latest Adobe CC suite and other specialist software.
You'll also have access to specialist software, online learning platforms, and dedicated support for developing digital and entrepreneurial skills. Campus-wide services, including the Library, Careers Service, and Goldsmiths’ Digital Studios provide additional training and resources for content production and communication.
Careers and support
We guide students in navigating career opportunities and organise expert-led talks:
- We offer an expanded placement-based module, Anthropology in Public Practice, where students work with the Goldsmiths Careers Service and academic staff to find placements that develop their research skills and expand their professional networks. Previous placement and internship locations include the Migration Museum, the NHS, Open Book, Action Space for Artists with Disabilities, Lawyers Against Poverty, and many other charities and community projects across the UK, as well as film production companies in Glasgow and Paris.
- Students studying Visual Anthropology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels get a series of talks (in the third year for undergraduates) from a range of practitioners working in the film industry, including from Goldsmiths Anthropology alumni.
Study with us
At Goldsmiths, you’ll immerse yourself in a subject you love within a welcoming and creative campus community.
Based in South East London, our vibrant setting connects you directly to the capital’s business, technology, and cultural networks. Your learning goes far beyond the classroom through partnerships, guest lectures, and real-world industry experience.
You’ll be supported by inspiring academics, dedicated staff, and fellow students who are passionate about making a difference. And because we’re in London – ranked the world’s number one student city (QS Best Student Cities 2025) – you’ll benefit from our close links with some of the capital’s leading creative and cultural organisations.
Discover the campus for yourself with our Virtual Tour.
