What do anthropology graduates do?

Anthropology graduates transitioned into a wide range of different careers and most described their work as meaningful, though the percentage in professional-level roles was below average, according to the latest data

This article is part of a series exploring the outcomes of graduates from subjects that are not included in What do graduates do?

According to the latest Graduate Outcomes data, most anthropology graduates were in employment 15 months after graduation. Full-time work (48.5%) was the most common destination, while 12% found work in part-time roles.

They found employment in various sectors, such as:

• Advertising and marketing associate professionals
• Public relations professionals
• Bar staff
• Sales and retail assistants
• Human resources and industrial relations officers
• Business and related research professionals
• Events managers and organisers
• Social and humanities scientists
• Business associate professionals (not elsewhere classified)
• Other administrative occupations (n.e.c.).

Further illustrating their broad skillset, those who had pursued further study since graduating were most likely to report working as:

• Primary education teaching professionals
• Bar staff
• Receptionists
• IT user support technicians
• Welfare and housing associate professionals (n.e.c.)
• Secondary education teaching professionals
• Business and financial project management professionals
• Public services associate professionals
• Chartered and certified accountants
• Housing officers.

A small percentage of anthropology graduates were unemployed (7.5%), a figure that is slightly above the average for all graduates (6.2%).

,Percentage of anthropology  graduates
Employment and further study,9.2
Full-time employment,48.5
Full-time further study,10.8
Other including travel caring for someone or retired,8.7
Part-time employment,11.8
Part-time further study,0.4
Unemployment,7.5
Voluntary or unpaid work,2.5

Further study

One in ten (10.8%) anthropology graduates chose to pursue full-time further study, with a further 9.2% reporting that they were working while studying. A third (32.3%) reported that they were doing a Masters course, 23.9% were doing a Postgraduate diploma, and 7.0% said that they were doing a Doctorate course when surveyed.

,Percentage of anthropology graduates in further study
Foundation degree,2.5
Doctorate,7
Masters (Such as MA or MSc),32.3
Other Professional qualification,32.3
Postgraduate diploma or certificate (including PGCE/PGDE),23.9
Undergraduate degree (Such as BA or BSc),0.8

Occupations of anthropology graduates

Anthropology graduates enter a variety of sectors. While a fifth were working in retail, catering and customer service roles; business, HR and finance roles (16.5%), clerical, secretarial and administrative roles and marketing, PR and sales roles (12.7%) were also common among these graduates 15 months after graduation. Moreover, one in ten (9.6%) were in the legal, social, and welfare sector.

An anthropology degree equips graduates with a wide range of skills, including analytical and critical skills, statistical computing techniques, data gathering and interpretation skills, which is evidenced by the myriad of roles reported by anthropology graduates 15 months after graduating.

55% of anthropology graduates found professional-level employment, well below the overall graduate average of 72%, However, it is important to note that many graduates in non-professional roles may still be meeting their aspirations and contributing meaningfully in their chosen fields.

For instance, 70% of anthropology graduates who answered the graduate voice questions indicated that their current work is meaningful, while 61% said that their current work fits in with their plans for the future. However, just two-fifths (40%) said they are using the skills gained from their course in their current role.

Location of employment of anthropology graduates

Anthropology graduates were employed across the UK, with London accounting for the largest share (40.2%). The South East was the next most common destination, particularly areas such as Oxfordshire, Brighton and Hove, and Hampshire. Meanwhile, with areas like Devon, Bristol City and South Gloucestershire also frequently reported, the North West ranked as the third most common region overall.

Salaries

Anthropology graduates who did not pursue further study after graduation were earning an average of £29,552 fifteen months after graduation, slightly below the overall average for all graduates (£30,030). Those who undertook significant further study reported marginally lower average earnings at £28,265.

Written by

Micha-Shannon Smith

Information analyst

Prospects Luminate