IB Social and Cultural Anthropology

Applications Open - 3rd November 2025

Applications Close - 3rd April 2026

Entry Requirements -

IBDP - 6 Grade 6s

IBCP - 5 Grade 5s

Level 3 - 4 Grade 4s

Level 2 - dependent

How to Apply - Please apply via KentChoices

To apply for courses at TMS sixth form please select the subject combination you wish to apply for. The combinations as described are subject to change so please put in your ideal choices, even if they do not match the options grid.

All course options will be confirmed post interviews.

When you access the application page you will be shown a list of subjects only. Please note they will not be separated into the 3 different pathways (vocational, IBCP, IBDP)

For those wishing to apply for the level1/2 vocational pathway, please select this as an option. You do not need to select any further subjects and individual choices will be confirmed at interview.

For those wishing to apply for the IBCP or IBDP pathway please select the individual choices from the list.

Level1/2 Vocational pathway

Select the Level1/2 vocational pathway only

The IB Diploma Programme's social and cultural anthropology course offers an opportunity for students to explore and understand humankind in all its diversity through the comparative study of culture and human societies.

In studying this course students will come to appreciate how anthropology as a discipline contributes to an understanding of contemporary issues, such as war and conflict, the environment, poverty, injustice, inequality and human and cultural rights. The study of social and cultural anthropology offers critical insight into the continuities as well as dynamics of social change and the development of societies, and challenges cultural assumptions.

Students undertaking this course will have the opportunity to become acquainted with anthropological perspectives and ways of thinking, and to develop critical, reflexive knowledge. Social and cultural anthropology contributes to a distinctive approach to intercultural awareness and understanding. It allows students to develop the capacity to recognize preconceptions and assumptions of their own social and cultural environments through an exploration of both the familiar and unfamiliar worlds of other people.

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Anthropological concepts and theories
• Anthropological research methods and ethics
• A range of appropriately identified ethnographic materials

2. Application and analysis

• Recognize anthropological concepts in ethnographic materials
• Use ethnographic examples and anthropological concepts to formulate an argument
• Apply anthropological knowledge and understanding to reflect on the “big” anthropological questions
• Analyse ethnographic materials in terms of the viewpoint of the anthropologist, research methods, concepts and ethics
• Use anthropological theories to formulate an argument
• In the internal assessment task, engage in the practice of anthropology, including recognition of the position of the observer; select appropriate methods; interpret methods; interpret data; consider ethical issues

3. Synthesis and evaluation

• Compare and contrast characteristics of specific cultures and societies
• Discuss a range of ethnographic materials and critically evaluate them utilizing appropriate conceptual frameworks
• In the internal assessment task, justify methodological choices and critically reflect on the practice of anthropology

4. Selection and use of a variety of skills

• Identify an appropriate context, anthropological concept and research question for investigation
• Select and demonstrate the use of methods and skills, appropriate to a specific anthropological research question, to gather, present, analyse, interpret and reflect on ethnographic data

General entry requirements:

International Baccalaureate Diploma: 6 x grade 6 or above, including Maths and English (GCSE or equivalent)

International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme: 5 x grade 5 or above, including Maths and English (GCSE or equivalent)