- UCAS course code
- S456
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Arts (BASS)
BASS Social Anthropology and Data Analytics
Duration: 3 or 4 years
Year of entry: 2026
UCAS course code: S456 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Industrial experience
- Typical A-level offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: BBC including specific subjects
- UK refugee/care-experienced offer: BBC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 34 points overall with 6,5,5 at HL
Overview
Course overview
- Explore societies and cultures across the globe in comparable perspective.
- Combine your studies with paid and relevant work experience, such as 6-8 weeks working with a local or national organisation.
- Enjoy the opportunity to study abroad or complete a professional placement on a four-year optional course.
- Ranked among the UK's top 10 and the world's top 30 for Anthropology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
- The University of Manchester has an excellent reputation for employability. For the past 5 years, we have been in the UK's Top Two most targeted universities by the UK's top 100 employers (High Fliers Graduate Market Report, 2020-2024)
Open days
We are pleased to announce that we are returning to hosting on-campus open days in the summer and autumn.
Please see open days for the dates, registration, and other information.
If you're a prospective student, you can also find out more about student life by chatting with our student ambassadors at a time that suits you, and ask any questions you may have about life at Manchester.
Please check our Coronavirus FAQs for the most up to date information regarding events.
You can also look at our virtual open day content to help you learn more about the University.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Social Sciences
- Contact name
- School of Social Sciences Admissions Office
- Telephone
- +44 (0) 161 543 4029
- socialsciences@manchester.ac.uk
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: School Subjects
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
A-level
ABB, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):
Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.
We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.
We accept the Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) as equivalent to an A-level if taken alongside two full A-levels from the list of acceptable subjects above
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
A-level contextual offer
BBC, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):
Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.
We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
Contextual offers are available for applicants who:
- live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and
- live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and
- have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years.
See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.
UK refugee/care-experienced offer
BBC, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):
Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.
We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
UK refugee/care-experienced offers are available for applicants who:
- have been looked after in care for more than three months; or
- have been granted refugee status by the UK government or have been issued a UK visa under one of the Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme).
See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.
International Baccalaureate
34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects
Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.
GCSE/IGCSE
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 4 or C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School for clarification.
Other entry requirements
Other entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Country-specific entry requirements
We accept a range of qualifications from different countries.For detailed information please refer to our country-specific requirements and requirements for foundation years .
For general requirementsnot listed abovesee accepted entry qualifications from your country .
Still need help? Email us at socialsciences@manchester.ac.uk .
English language requirements
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
- GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C.
- IELTS 6.5 overall with no lower than 6 in any component.
- TOEFL (IBT) 90 overall with minimum of 20 in each subset.
- iGCSE English (Second Language) grade B.
- An acceptable equivalent qualification.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page .
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .
English language test validity
Fees and funding
Fees
Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Scholarships and bursaries, including the Manchester Bursary , are available to eligible home/EU students.
Some undergraduate UK students will receive bursaries of up to £2,000 per year, in addition to the government package of maintenance grants.
You can get information and advice on student finance to help you manage your money.
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
Applicants submitting mitigating circumstances
If you are submitting information about mitigating circumstances that have affected, or are likely to affect, your academic performance, you should include this in the referee's report.
We cannot take into account information that is supplied after an adverse decision has been made on an application.
Examples of mitigating circumstances include family illness, problems with school facilities or an unusual curriculum followed by your school of college.
Home-schooled applicants
If you are a student who has followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home; your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying.
You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the specified academic entry requirements of the course.
We will also require a reference from somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education.
If you are a home schooled student and would like further information or advice please contact the academic School for your chosen course who will be able to help you.
Non-standard educational routes
Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences.
Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest. There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.
The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.
Further information for mature students can be found here .
Course details
Course description
BASS Social Anthropology and Data Analytics is one of the pathways within the BA Social Sciences degree.
It is ideal if you want to keep your options open or study specific topics such as race, class, crime or religion, from different perspectives.
This flexible degree lets you study at least three subjects in the first year, and then throughout the second and third year you deepen your understanding of the subjects you feel passionate about.
The six subject areas are:
- Criminology - The study of the causes and consequences of crime.
- Philosophy - The study of the nature of knowledge, truth and values. It also encourages greater consideration of our reasoning, judgement and ethics.
- Politics - The study of human organisation, government and power. It examines and evaluates political systems and institutions.
- Data Analytics - The study of data and analysis to understand the social world.
- Social Anthropology - The study of societies and cultures across the globe in comparative perspective.
- Sociology - The study of society. It examines issues such as social inequalities and forms of everyday life.
You are not tied to the course code you apply to through UCAS, and can change after Year 1.
Special features
Professional Experience Year Opportunity
You apply in year 1 to boost your employability through a paid Professional Experience Year.
If you meet the criteria, the Professional Experience Team and Careers Service will work with you to find a suitable placement in your 2nd year.
You will then complete your Professional Experience Year in 3rd year extending your degree to four years, before returning to University to finish your final year.
Your degree title will be extended to include 'with Professional Experience', giving you the added advantage of relevant work experience when entering the competitive graduate jobs market.
Paid placement opportunity
You can apply for a paid Q-Step internship between Year 2 and 3.
Study abroad
If you would like to broaden your horizons and your degree, you can apply to study overseas for a year at one of our partner universities. You apply in Year 2 to spend a year abroad in Year 3. If successful, you will put together a programme of study at the host university in consultation with your Academic Exchange Advisor, to complement your studies at Manchester. You will then come back to Manchester to study for a fourth year and graduate with a degree title including ‘with International Study'. See The University of Manchester Study Abroad pages for more information, including eligibility criteria, destinations, costs and funding.
Teaching and learning
Course units feature formal lectures supported by smaller tutorials or seminars, where you explore the contents of lectures and recommended reading in greater depth.
Tutorials and seminars are key in improving your written and oral communication skills through group discussions, essay-writing, and presentations.
You are assigned an Academic Advisor who takes a friendly interest in your progress, and can advise you on selecting course units and career opportunities.
Coursework and assessment
The way that you study and are assessed will depend on which course units you choose. Our methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding, including:
- essays, coursework, and other mid-term evaluations;
- dissertations;
- presentations;
- group projects;
- exams.
Course content for year 1
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOAN10321 | 10 | Mandatory | |
| SOAN10322 | 10 | Mandatory | |
| SOCS10111 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| SOST10021 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| SOST10142 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| CRIM10002 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM10071 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM10421 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM10432 | 20 | Optional | |
| ECON10002 | 10 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 42 course units for year 1 | |||
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Course content for year 2
If you specialise in two subjects you take 40 credits in each.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOST20022 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| CRIM20051 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM20412 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM20441 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM20452 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM20692 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM20701 | 20 | Optional | |
| PHIL20021 | 20 | Optional | |
| PHIL20042 | 20 | Optional | |
| PHIL20141 | 20 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 56 course units for year 2 | |||
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Course content for year 3
If you specialise in two subjects you take 40 credits in each.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOST30031 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| CRIM30601 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM30642 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM30661 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM30792 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM30811 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM31051 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM31101 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM31142 | 20 | Optional | |
| CRIM31152 | 20 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 70 course units for year 3 | |||
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Course content for year 4
If completing a year abroad, you will take the Year 3 course content in Year 4.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
The University of Manchester has an excellent reputation for employability, and we are one of the most targeted universities by the nation's top employers (The Graduate Market in 2021, High Fliers Research).
Our graduates pursue a variety of careers including journalism and media, charities, consultancy, civil service, finance, marketing, social work, teaching, law and postgraduate study.
Recent graduates have gone on to work at:
- the Royal Bank of Scotland;
- the Department for Work and Pensions;
- Manchester City Council, Social Services;
- the South Omo Research Centre.
The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .
We work with students and the Careers Service to embed employability into our courses through careers and networking events.
You can also boost your employability by choosing course units in Year 2 from the University College for Interdisciplinary Learning .
Find out more on the careers and employability page.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.