MH101 - Anthropology

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Overview

From tribal villages to corporate offices, anthropologists create new knowledge about human nature and what it means to be human today.

Maynooth University’s anthropologists bring the world into the classroom, helping you understand local problems in a global context.

What do anthropologists do?

Anthropologists study all aspects of human behaviour and society by closely observing and analysing different ways of life around the world.

If you’re curious about how people live, think, and relate to one another, anthropology could be the ideal choice. It fosters creativity and imagination by helping us think beyond our own pre-conceived world views.

Hands-on experience

You’ll take part in practical, experiential learning, including ethnographic fieldwork projects. You’ll also have the opportunity to join an archaeological dig during your studies.

You can explore forensic anthropology too, which uses skeletal analysis and archaeological techniques to solve criminal cases.

Learning in a global context

Our anthropologists actively engage with many pressing global issues. Just some of these include:

  • aging populations
  • nationalism
  • citizenship
  • racial discrimination
  • security and surveillance
  • religion
  • international migration
  • drug use
  • health problems like epidemics, mental health
  • consumer culture and sustainability
  • rapid technological change

Whether you’re interested in human cultures, identity politics, the environment, or global business, anthropology gives you practical tools to explore these interests in a more meaningful way.

Subject Structure

First year

  • Either 15 or 30 credits of Anthropology (30 credits recommended for Single Major 2nd year pathway)
  • Choose 2 or 3 other subjects, which may include Critical Skills, from the available groups (maximum 1 subject per group)

Second year and Final year

  • Compulsory and optional Anthropology modules
  • Continue with Anthropology as part of a Double Major, as a Major/Minor or as a Minor
  • Optional archaeological dig summer school module
  • Optional 10 credit Elective in second year

Or

Single Major

  • At least 50 credits Anthropology
  • Optional 10 credit Elective in second year
  • Optional archaeological dig summer school module

Or

  • Transfer option in second year - into the MH404 BBS/BBA Business and Global Cultures degree - for students who have completed the first year of the Bachelor of Arts degree (MH101) taking either 15 or 30 credits of Anthropology and 15 or 30 credits of a Business subject

MH101:

  • Optional 10 credit Elective in second year
  • Optional Erasmus/Study Abroad after second year

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.

Timetable group: 4 (Anthropology)

AN1V30 - Anthropology

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN169

7.5

2

Y

AN167

7.5

1

Y

AN170

7.5

2

N

AN171

7.5

1

N

Double Major

Timetable group: 4 (Anthropology)

AN2DM - Anthropology

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN213

5

2

N

AN242

5

2

N

AN243

5

1

N

AN219

5

2

N

AN204

5

1

N

AN215

5

1

N

AN216

5

2

N

AN218

5

1

N

AN217

5

1

Y

AN210

5

2

Y

KD217

5

1

N

AN240

5

2

N

Major with Minor

Timetable group: 4 (Anthropology)

AN2MJ - Anthropology

Credits: 40  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN213

5

2

N

AN242

5

2

N

AN243

5

1

N

AN219

5

2

N

AN204

5

1

N

AN215

5

1

N

AN216

5

2

N

AN218

5

1

N

AN217

5

1

Y

AN210

5

2

Y

KD217

5

1

N

AN240

5

2

N

Single Major

Timetable group: 4 (Anthropology)

AN2SM - Anthropology

Credits: 50  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN213

5

2

N

AN242

5

2

N

AN243

5

1

N

AN219

5

2

N

AN204

5

1

N

AN215

5

1

N

AN216

5

2

N

AN218

5

1

N

AN217

5

1

Y

AN210

5

2

Y

KD217

5

1

N

AN240

5

2

N

Minor

Timetable group: 4 (Anthropology)

AN2MI - Anthropology

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN213

5

2

N

AN242

5

2

N

AN243

5

1

N

AN219

5

2

N

AN204

5

1

N

AN215

5

1

N

AN216

5

2

N

AN218

5

1

N

AN217

5

1

N

AN210

5

2

N

KD217

5

1

N

AN240

5

2

N

Double Major

Timetable group: 4 (Anthropology)

AN3DM - Anthropology

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN358

5

2

N

AN363

5

2

N

AN351

5

1

N

AN359

5

1

N

AN353

5

1

N

AN346

5

2

N

AN362

5

1

N

AN361

5

2

Y

AN348

5

1

Y

AN307

5

1

N

AN318

10

2

N

AN342

5

1

N

AN340

5

2

N

Major with Minor

Timetable group: 4 (Anthropology)

AN3MJ - Anthropology

Credits: 40  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN358

5

2

N

AN363

5

2

N

AN351

5

1

N

AN359

5

1

N

AN353

5

1

N

AN346

5

2

N

AN362

5

1

N

AN361

5

2

Y

AN348

5

1

Y

AN307

5

1

N

AN318

10

2

N

AN342

5

1

N

AN340

5

2

N

Single Major

Timetable group: 4 (Anthropology)

AN3SM - Anthropology

Credits: 60  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN358

5

2

N

AN363

5

2

N

AN351

5

1

N

AN359

5

1

N

AN353

5

1

N

AN346

5

2

N

AN362

5

1

N

AN361

5

2

Y

AN348

5

1

Y

AN307

5

1

Y

AN318

10

2

N

AN342

5

1

N

AN340

5

2

N

Minor

Timetable group: 4 (Anthropology)

AN3MI - Anthropology

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN358

5

2

N

AN363

5

2

N

AN351

5

1

N

AN359

5

1

N

AN353

5

1

N

AN346

5

2

N

AN362

5

1

N

AN361

5

2

N

AN348

5

1

N

AN342

5

1

N

AN340

5

2

N

Entry requirements

Leaving Certificate Applicants

Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, third language.

Round 1 points 2026: First applicant = 625 points / Last applicant = 300 points

HEAR and DARE

  • DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.
  • HEAR: The Higher Education Access Route is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact the Access Office for more information about these access routes.

Additional information

Leaving Certificate Applicants

Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, third language.

Round 1 points 2026: First applicant = 625 points / Last applicant = 300 points

All Applicants

Subject Minimum Requirements - in order to choose these subjects in the BA degree, the below grades, or equivalent, are required

  • Nua-Ghaeilge: H4 Irish (no beginner option)
  • Music: H5 Music
  • Mathematics (Pure): H2 Mathematics

Recommended - we recommend students have achieved the following grades at Leaving Certificate level in order to meet the demands of these subjects:

  • French, German, Spanish non-beginner level recommend H4 or better in the subject. Beginner option also available.
  • Accounting, Business (International), Business (Management), Business (Marketing), Economics, Finance: O4/H7 Mathematics
  • Computer Science, Mathematical Physics, Mathematical Studies, Music Technology, Statistics: O3/H7 Mathematics

The Maynooth Education

Click here for details about optional Critical Skills courses, Electives and degree pathways.

Postgraduate

The Department of Anthropology offers a range of postgraduate study options at Diploma, Masters, and Doctoral levels.

Careers

Our graduates have progressed into a wide range of sectors:

  • healthcare
  • user experience and design
  • international aid and development
  • advertising and human insights research
  • culture and arts
  • heritage and conservation
  • security
  • community research and education
  • advocacy and activism
  • journalism
  • management and business
  • human resources
  • public administration

Contact

Maynooth University Department of Anthropology
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/anthropology