Course information

Entry requirements

UCAS code

LP63

Entry requirements

A-level: BBB
BTEC: DDM
IB: 33 points overall with Three HL subjects at 655

Length

3 years full-time

Department

Anthropology
Media, Communications and Cultural Studies

Course overview

The BA Anthropology & Media programme combines anthropological and communications theories to provide you with a better understanding of cultural diversity, and a critical knowledge of communication processes in the Digital Age.

Why study BA Anthropology & Media at Goldsmiths

  • You'll be taught by some of the leading names in anthropology, media, communications and cultural studies. And you'll have access to industry-standard practice facilities.
  • You'll receive a solid grounding in anthropological methodology and practice, and in key media debates including representation, and symbolism. Most importantly, you'll learn how to apply these insights to the contemporary world. 
  • You'll develop the practical and transferable skills to help you find a career in media or anthropology – our recent graduates are now working as newsreaders, editors, journalists, producers, and photographers.
  • You’ll be able to specialise and design your own learning experience in the third year, choosing four Anthropology modules, and two Media, Communications, and Cultural Studies (MCCS) modules.
  • We regularly host industry debates and talks by international figures; recent guests have included Danny Boyle, Gurinder Chadha and Noel Clark.
  • The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked 2nd in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 11th in the world in the 2023 QS World Rankings by Subject for communication and media studies.
  • The Department of Anthropology has been rated top 10 in the UK for anthropology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Dr Ricardo Leizaola.

Watch videos about your course

What you'll study

Note about optional modules (if available): The below is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.

Year 1 (credit level 4)

In your first year, you'll take the following compulsory modules:

Module title Credits
Being Related 15 credits
Approaches to Contemporary Anthropology 30 credits
Anthropological Methods 15 credits
Media History and Politics 15 credits
Key Debates in Media Studies 15 credits
Culture and Cultural Studies 15 credits
Film and the Audiovisual: Theory and Analysis 15 credits

Year 2 (credit level 5)

In your second year, you'll take the following compulsory modules:

Module title Credits
The Goldsmiths Elective 15 credits
Cross-Platform Media Practice 1 30 Credits

Anthropology option modules

You'll also take 45 credits of option modules from the Department of Anthropology. Option module availability is subject to change, and recent examples include:

Module title Credits
Critical Ecologies: black, indigenous and transnational feminist approaches 15 credits
Anthropology and Political Economy 15 credits
Thinking Anthropologically 15 credits
Thinking Through Race 15 credits
Indigenous Cosmopolitics, Anthropology and Global Justice 15 credits
Anthropology of Religion 15 credits
Working with Images 15 credits
Anthropology in Public Practice 30 credits
Politics, Economics and Social Change 15 credits

Media, Communications and Cultural Studies option modules

You'll also take 30 credits of option modules from a list provided annually by the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies.

Year 3 (credit level 6)

In your final year you have the opportunity to design your own learning experience.

Anthropology modules

You'll choose 60 credits of option modules from the Department of Anthropology from a list provided annually by the Department. Please note that you will only be able to complete the Individual Project in Anthropology if you are not completing a Dissertation in Media.

Media, Communications and Cultural Studies modules

You'll choose 30 credits of option modules from a list provided annually by the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies. You'll also complete one of the two following compulsory modules:

Module title Credits
Cross-Platform Media Practice 2 30 Credits
or
Dissertation 30 credits

Teaching style

This programme is mainly taught through scheduled learning - a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.

The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*:

  • Year 1 - 17% scheduled learning, 83% independent learning
  • Year 2 - 14% scheduled learning, 86% independent learning
  • Year 3 - 15% scheduled learning, 84% independent learning, 1% placement.

How you’ll be assessed

You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework assignments such as extended essays, reports, presentations, practice-based projects or essays/logs, group projects and reflective essays, as well as seen and unseen written examinations.

The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*:

  • Year 1 - 63% coursework, 38% written exam
  • Year 2 - 88% coursework, 13% written exam
  • Year 3 - 100% coursework

*Please note that these averages are based on enrolments for 2022/23. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Find out more about how this information is calculated.

Credits and levels of learning

An undergraduate honours degree is made up of 360 credits – 120 at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. If you are a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 modules in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 modules in your final year. A standard module is worth 30 credits. Some programmes also contain 15-credit half modules or can be made up of higher-value parts, such as a dissertation or a Major Project.

Download the programme specification.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Entry requirements

We accept the following qualifications:

A-level: BBB
BTEC: DDM
International Baccalaureate: 33 points overall with Three HL subjects at 655
Access: Pass with 45 Level 3 credits including 30 Distinctions and a number of merits/passes in subject-specific modules
Scottish qualifications: BBBBC (Higher) or BBC (Advanced Higher)
European Baccalaureate: 75%
Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H2 H2

We don’t assume you have any knowledge of anthropology, and welcome applications from anyone with arts, social studies or science backgrounds.

International qualifications

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Alternative qualifications

See our full list of undergraduate entry qualifications.

Fees & funding

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

From August 2021 EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for 'Home' fee status. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will be classified as 'International' for fee purposes, more information can be found on our fees page.

  • Home - full-time: £9250
  • International - full-time: £20160

If your fees are not listed here, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, and our careers service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies. Find out more about funding your studies with us.

Careers

Skills

This programme will equip you with a range of specialist and transferable skills. These include: 

  • communication skills (including public speaking, developing and presenting an argument, note taking, report writing)
  • critical and analytical skills
  • proficiency in assessing evidence and in expressing ideas clearly
  • awareness of social, political and cultural processes
  • ability to bring together insights from a range of subjects
  • learning to think 'outside the box'
  • IT skills
  • communications skills
  • journalistic and creative writing skills

You can find out more about the skills and careers that this course prepares you for on our Anthropology and Media careers pages.

Careers

Our graduates go on to employment in a variety of areas, including:

  • journalism
  • documentary and feature filmmaking
  • applied or advocacy work for NGOs and development agencies
  • teaching and research in higher education
  • marketing and public relations
  • arts and administration
  • many more careers both within the public and private sectors

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths