What can you do with an anthropology degree?

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying a BA (Hons) Anthropology degree

Discover employment and further study opportunities that you could consider once you graduate with an anthropology degree, and learn how you can stand out to graduate employers.

We encourage you to:

undertake career planning and research
build your networks, meet employers and graduates
gain essential work experience during your course
attend career fairs and events
continually develop your skills and knowledge
get involved with relevant clubs and societies
visit the Careers Service for advice.

Knowledge and skills

Your study of anthropology will provide you with knowledge and a unique skill set that are valuable to employers:

understanding human diversity and behaviour
cultural sensitivity
qualitative research skills; gathering, understanding and disseminating information
analytical and critical skills
communication, group discussion and presentation skills
emotional intelligence
practical fieldwork skills, such as conducting interviews in the community.

Career options

Studying anthropology at the University of Plymouth will open a wide range of career choices within both the public and private sector. According to the American Anthropological Association, anthropologists are everywhere – from observing gangs in Los Angeles to assisting with the ongoing aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They can also be found helping corporations launch products and services in new territories by examining consumer patterns not readily apparent to through statistical or survey methods. Roles within the government, education and research, business and corporations, health and community-based settings and non-profit organisations are plentiful for anthropology graduates!

Since specific roles are less obvious (few jobs require an anthropologist and few roles have it in the job title) it is important therefore to use your research skills to explore the opportunities and roles which are designed for individuals with an expertise in human behaviour, along with considering your own personal interests, motivations, values and skill set.

Researching your career options

With such a wide range of careers open to you as an Anthropology graduate, it is important to make sure you explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future.

Take a look at the Careers Service, Prospects, TargetJobs and other websites for inspiration:

Prospects- What can I do with my Anthropology degree?
Charity Job – 3000+ jobs available in the not-for-profit sector at Charity Job
Charityworks – the UK's non-profit sectors talent programme
Third Sector Jobs – non-profit and public sector recruitment
Worthwhile.org.uk – Worthwhile trains career starters from brilliant charities and social enterprises
Local Government Association Graduate Programme

Southwest employment and employers

The Southwest is an excellent place to start your career as a graduate as many of the UK leading companies have a base in Devon, Somerset, Bristol and Cornwall.

Here are some examples of major employers within the southwest region, however there are many more large companies and SMEs eager to recruit graduates:

Professional bodies

Joining or following a professional body can be an effective way to find out about opportunities, news, and recent changes within the sector:

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20 and 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for 27 UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Further study

Some of the careers chosen by anthropology graduates will require or benefit from further study, so this should be considered carefully. You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your particular situation.

It is also worth investigating what further study options the University has to offer as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni – find out your funding options .

Careers Service support

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access our 24/7 online resources .

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

effective career planning
job hunting techniques
finding part-time work
CVs and interviews
mastering LinkedIn
and more.

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service, however they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Connect with graduates

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

search LinkedIn for ‘University of Plymouth’
select ‘Alumni’
filter the results by subject, sector, company or location.

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops .

Other advice and guidance

Gain work experience

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out particular career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career. The Careers Service regularly advertise roles on myCareer and have initiatives you can apply for, such as student ambassador work, placements, micro-internships and other fantastic opportunties! Find out more about placements and work experience .

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration.

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

Clubs and societies

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities, it also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to anthropology or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Tutor and academic support

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.