Medical Anthropology Course: Admission 2024, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Top Colleges, Career Scope

Updated on Mar 27, 2024 05:15 IST
Jasmine Dang Arora

Jasmine Dang AroraDeputy Manager-Content

Medical Anthropology is a subfield of Anthropology that studies human health, disease, healthcare systems, and bicultural adaption. The study is drawn upon social, cultural, biological, and linguistic anthropology to better understand the factors that influence health and well-being. The study views humans from an ecological perspective. Medical Anthropology is one of the highly developed anthropological areas. As a part of social and cultural anthropology, medical anthropology examines the ways cultures and societies are influenced by issues of health care and other related issues.

Medical Anthropology can be studied as a BSc in Medical Anthropology or as an MSc in Medical Anthropology. The course can be completed at fees ranging between INR 20000 to INR 4 lakh. Students who complete this course will be qualified to work as researchers, healthcare consultants, Public Health Specialists, Community Health Workers, etc. An anthropology degree holder can expect to start with an average annual salary of INR 3.4 LPA to INR 6.5 LPA.

Table of Contents
  1. Medical Anthropology Course Highlights
  2. All About Medical Anthropology Course 
    • 2.1 Why Study a Medical Anthropology Course?
  3. Medical Anthropology Course Eligibility Criteria
  4. Medical Anthropology Course Entrance Exams 2024
  5. Medical Anthropology Course Syllabus
  6. Medical Anthropology Course Top Colleges
    • 6.1 Top Private Colleges Offering Medical Anthropology Courses
    • 6.2 Top Government Colleges Offering Medical Anthropology Courses
  7. Medical Anthropology Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
    • 7.1 Medical Anthropology Top Recruiters
  8. FAQs on Medical Anthropology

Medical Anthropology Course Highlights

Those who study medical anthropology acquire a certain set of skills that are useful in a variety of fields. As more people pursue degrees in anthropology to learn more about humans and their many components, the field is becoming more and more significant. Interested students can continue reading to learn all there is to know about the course.

Particulars Details
Course Name Medical Anthropology
Medical Anthropology Course Levels BA in Medical Anthropology, BSc in Medical Anthropology, MA in Medical Anthropology, MSc in Medical Anthropology.  
Medical Anthropology Course Duration

BA in Medical Anthropology and BSc in Medical Anthropology-3 years

MA in Medical Anthropology and MSc in Medical Anthropology -2 Years

Medical Anthropology Course Eligibility

For Undergraduate courses- Completed 10+2 in Physics, Chemistry, & Mathematics. 

For Postgraduate courses-Graduation in Physics, Chemistry, & Mathematics. 

Medical  Anthropology Course Entrance Exams

SAT, DUET, JNUEE, TISSNET,  CUET, etc.

Medical Anthropology Course Fees INR 50000-INR 3.5 lakh
Medical Anthropology Course Average Salary INR 3 LPA-5 LPA
Medical Anthropology Course Job Profiles Researcher, Healthcare Consultant, Public Health Specialist, Community Health Worker, etc.
Medical Anthropology Course Areas of Employment WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, Educational Institutes, Archeological Sites

Note: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

Quick Links About Medical Anthropology Courses:

Top 10 Arts and Humanities Colleges in India

Top Delhi University Colleges 2023: NIRF Ranks, Score

All About Medical Anthropology Course 

Medical Anthropology studies issues such as health ramifications of ecological adaptions and maladaptation, popular health culture, and domestic health care practices, perceptions of risks, vulnerability, and responsibility for illness and health care, social organizations of clinical practices, and much more.

Every culture has its own specific popular medicine based on its general cultural features. Medical Anthropology uses anthropological theories and methods to generate unique insights into how cultural groups interpret and respond to questions of health, illness, and wealth.

Why Study a Medical Anthropology Course?

  • Here are a few bullet-pointed reasons why taking a medical anthropology course can be beneficial:
  • Acquire a profound comprehension of the intricate relationships that exist between society, culture, and health.
  • Discover a variety of international medical specialties and treatment approaches.
  • Gain analytical and critical thinking abilities by studying theoretical frameworks and ethnographic research methods.
  • Analyse the socioeconomic determinants of health to learn how to address gaps and inequities in health.
  • Gain the cultural awareness and competency necessary to function in a variety of healthcare environments and communities.
  • Get ready for jobs in international development, academia, research, public health, and healthcare consulting.

Relevant Link Related to Medical Anthropology: Different Anthropology Courses 

Medical Anthropology Course Eligibility Criteria

Candidates interested in pursuing a Medical Anthropology course need to check the eligibility criteria given below:

UG Course:  Candidate must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognised school/board.

PG Course: Candidate must have completed graduation in Arts stream with Anthropology(Arts), History, Psychology, Economics, Political Science, Geography, and Sociology as subject with at least 45% marks from any recognized University/Institute.

Students are generally taught Medical Anthropology as a specialisation and will have to learn about the various branches of Anthropology as they start their graduation.

Course

Duration

Eligibility Criteria

BA Anthropology

3-Years

Students who want to pursue a BA in Anthropology need to have done their class 12 from a recognised board. A student from any stream is eligible.

BSc Anthropology

3-Years

Candidates need have done their class 12 in Science from a recognised board and should have secured a minimum of 55% to be eligible for the course.

MBBS

5-Years

Candidates must have passed Class XII/higher secondary/pre-university qualifying examination with Science subjects i.e. Physics, Chemistry and Zoology/Botany. They also must have studied English as the main subject for their qualifying examination.

MA in Anthropology

2-Years

Students need to have done their BA in the same field or similar subject from a recognised university and should have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate.

MSc in Anthropology

2-Years

Students need to have done their BA in Anthropology or in the same field, or, should have done their BSc in Anthropology from a recognised University and should have secured a minimum of 50%.

MPhil in Anthropology

2-Years

The candidate should have done their MA/MSc in Anthropology in a speciaised field and should have secured a minimum of 55% aggregate.

PhD in Anthropology

4 Years

The candidate should have done their MA/MSc/MPhil in Anthropology from a recognised University and should have secured a minimum of 60%.

Quick Links Related to Medical Anthropology:

All About Sociology

All About Anthropology

Medical Anthropology Course Entrance Exams 2024

Students should look for universities or colleges that offer anthropology courses. After that, they must comprehend the approved entry examinations and the admissions procedure. It is advisable to review the costs, available seats, and the qualifying requirements for the course before submitting an application right away. For undergraduate programmes, some colleges and universities administer entrance tests, while others grant admission on the basis of merit.

Desirous candidates can see the table below to learn the top exams for Medical Anthropology.

Entrance Exam Registration Dates Exam Dates
CUET Feb-Mar 2024 CUET Exam Schedule
IGNOU ------ IGNOU Exam Schedule
PUBDET Jan' 2024 PUBDET Exam Schedule
AAT Jan' 2024 AAT Exam Schedule
BHU UET Closed BHU UET Exam Schedule
TISSNET To be notified TISSNET Exam Schedule

Note: This information is sourced from official website of the institute/exam.

Medical Anthropology Course Syllabus

The main subjects studied in a Medical Anthropology BA programme are outlined in this curriculum, which places special focus on theoretical viewpoints, fundamental ideas, cultural conceptions of health and illness, healthcare systems, and applied research techniques. To encourage critical thinking and hands-on learning, each semester's curriculum consists of a mix of lectures, readings, discussions, and practical exercises.

Medical Anthropology Semester-1

Introduction to Anthropology and its Subfields

Introduction to Medical Anthropology: History, Scope, and Methods

Culture, Health, and Illness: Basic Concepts and Theoretical Frameworks

Ethnographic Methods in Medical Anthropology

Healing Systems Around the World: Introduction to Biomedicine and Traditional Healing Practices

Medical Pluralism: Interactions Between Biomedicine and Alternative Healing Systems

Medical Anthropology Semester-2

Social Determinants of Health: Understanding Health Inequities

Global Health Issues: Disease, Epidemics, and Public Health Challenges

Gender, Sexuality, and Health

Race, Ethnicity, and Health Disparities

Medicalization and Pharmaceuticalization of Society

Anthropology of Mental Health: Cultural Understandings and Healing Practices

Medical Anthropology Semester-3

Traditional Healing Systems: Indigenous Knowledge and Healing Rituals

Biomedicine and Technological Interventions in Health Care

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Reproductive Health and Childbirth

Aging, End-of-Life Care, and Death Rituals

Anthropology of Disability: Cultural Constructions and Social Responses

Medical Anthropology Semester-4

Applied Medical Anthropology: Interventions, Policy, and Advocacy

Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

Ethical Issues in Medical Anthropology: Informed Consent, Privacy, and Human Subjects Research

Health Communication and Cultural Competence in Healthcare Delivery

Global Health Governance and International Development

Research Project: Proposal Development and Presentation

Medical Anthropology Course Top Colleges

Students can join a variety of Anthropology colleges across the country. These universities strive to provide students with all of the necessary infrastructure, faculty, and resources to learn about the topics in depth and detail. The top ten private and government colleges in India where students can get admitted are mentioned-below. The colleges mentioned in the table are listed alphabetically and not in any order of ranking hierarchy.

Top Private Colleges Offering Medical Anthropology Courses

The list of private colleges from where students can pursue Medical Anthropology courses are:

Name of College Fees (in INR)
Amity University, Noida INR 1 lakh to INR 3 lakh

Ashoka University, Sonepat

INR 28 lakh
Bidhannagar College, Kolkata INR 4000
Career Point University, Kota INR 59000
Mahishadal Girls College, West Bengal INR 6000-INR 7000

NIMS University, Jaipur

INR 60000-INR 90000

Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts, Symbiosis International, Pune

INR 16 lakh
SHUATS, Allahabad INR 32000

Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya, Indore

INR 59000-INR 75000

Stani Memorial PG College, Jaipur

INR 58000

Top Government Colleges Offering Medical Anthropology Courses

The table below contains the names of colleges offering Medical Anthropology courses:

Name of College Fees (in INR)
BHU, Varanasi INR 10000
Calcutta University, Kolkata INR 12000
Delhi University INR 28000
Hansraj College, Delhi INR 432-540
IGNOU, Delhi INR 3000-INR 18000
Miranda House, Delhi INR 32000
University of Lucknow, Lucknow INR 2000-INR 28000
University of Rajasthan  INR 4000
University of Hyderabad INR 9000-INR 22000
University of Madras, Chennai INR 3000

Quick Link Related to Anthropology: Click to Know Anthropology Syllabus.

Medical Anthropology Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters

The career scope in medical anthropology is broad and diverse, offering opportunities in various sectors. Medical anthropologists offer hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organisations their cultural knowledge and perspectives.

Job Profile Average Salary 
Researcher/Assistant Professor INR 4 LPA-INR 8 LPA
Public Health Specialist INR 3 LPA-INR 6 LPA
Healthcare Consultant INR 4 LPA-INR 7 LPA
NGO/Nonprofit Program Coordinator INR 3 LPA-INR 6 LPA
Health Policy Analyst INR 4 LPA-INR 8 LPA
Community Health Worker INR 2 LPA-INR 4.5 LPA
Global Health Specialist INR 4.5 LPA-INR 9 LPA
Academic Administrator INR 4.5 LPA-INR 7 LPA
Healthcare Research Coordinator INR 3 LPA-INR 6 LPA
Health Education Specialist INR 4 LPA-INR 5.5 LPA

Note: This information is sourced from multiple sources on the web. Hence, is subject to vary. 

Medical Anthropology Top Recruiters

Aside from WHO, UNICEF, and UNESCO, other recruiting firms provide job prospects to individuals studying this course. Some of the top recruiting organisations are:

Top Recruiters for Medical Anthropology

WHO

UNICEF UNESCO
CRY Goonj Help Age
Nanhi Kali Child Rights & You Arcaeological Survey of India
Learn For Leave 

Kalyani Laboratories Pvt Ltd 

Hindustan Unilever

Relevant Links Related to Anthropology:

How to get DU Admissions Under Sports Quota 2023-24

State universities Vs deemed universities: Which is better?

FAQs on Medical Anthropology

Q. What is the significance of medical anthropology?

A. Medical anthropology is very important because it takes a multifaceted approach to studying health and sickness in cultural environments. Medical anthropology illuminates the complex relationships among culture, society, and health to provide insight into a range of viewpoints, convictions, and healthcare behaviors.

To offer culturally competent care, build trust, and enhance treatment outcomes, healthcare professionals must have this expertise. In addition, medical anthropology's investigation of the social determinants of health aids in locating and addressing the root causes of health disparities, directing initiatives to advance health equity and lessen inequalities in healthcare outcomes and access. 

Q. What is the admission process for Medical Anthropology?

A. Students can either opt to take up courses in Anthropology or Medicine. Students can see the below table to understand the admission process for Medical Anthropology.

Medical Anthropology Admission Process Details
Choose University/ College The first step is to search for colleges or universities which are offering courses in Anthropology. Check the fees, the seats offered, eligibility criteria which is set for the course.
Apply for Course Proceed to apply for admission after getting to know the university offering the programme. Fill up the details as required and pay the application fee. The application forms are available for a limited period of time so the candidate is advised to know the details way in advance.
Mode of Admission Universities and Colleges will either conduct entrance exams for admission or offer admission through merit. For postgraduate courses, the candidate will have to appear for an entrance exam.
Results Selected and qualified candidates make the merit list. The student has to get the desired rank and percentage, to be eligible for admission. 
Counselling The candidate will have to appear for the counselling session conducted at the university to book their seat, submit their documents and pay the fees to seal admission.

Q. What are the specialisations in Anthropology?

A. Anthropology can be studied in various specialisations mentioned below:

Other Specialisations in Anthropology

Linguistic Anthropology

Medical Anthropology

Forensic Anthropology

Business Anthropology

Visual Anthropology

Environmental Anthropology

Museum Anthropology

Q. What are the job profiles after Medical Anthropology?

A. Some of the popular job profiles for medical anthropology includes the following:

  • Compliance officer
  • Curator
  • Anthropologist
  • Historian
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Writer
  • Urban or Regional Planner
  • Sociologist
  • Anthropology Professor
  • Training and Development Manager
  • Acadmeician/ Researcher

Q. What are the areas of employment after Medical Anthropology?

A. Some of the top recruiters for medical anthropology are as follows:

  • Anthropological Survey of India
  • Universities and Colleges
  • Indian Anthropological Association
  • Indian Institute of Science
  • Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research

Q. Is biological anthropology and medical anthropology the same?

A. Students can see the below table to learn the differences between Biological and Medical Anthropology:

Point of Difference Biological Anthropology Medical Anthropology
Focus Primarily focuses on the biological aspects of humans, including evolution, genetics, primatology, skeletal biology, and forensic anthropology. Focuses on the cultural, social, and environmental factors influencing health, illness, healing practices, and healthcare systems across different cultures and societies.
Core Topics Human evolution, genetics, population biology, primate behavior, paleoanthropology, osteology, forensic anthropology. Culture and health, illness narratives, medical systems and practices, health disparities, social determinants of health, healthcare delivery, global health, cross-cultural perspectives on health and healing.
Methods Employs scientific methods such as molecular genetics, comparative anatomy, statistical analysis, and fieldwork to study biological variation and evolutionary processes. Utilizes ethnographic methods including participant observation, interviews, and qualitative analysis to understand cultural beliefs, behaviors, and practices related to health and illness.
Application Often applied in fields such as evolutionary biology, archaeology, forensic science, human biology, and primatology. Applied in healthcare settings, public health programs, global health initiatives, community health interventions, and policy development to address health disparities and promote cultural competence.
Career Opportunities Careers include academic research, teaching, forensic anthropology, museum curation, biological consulting, and conservation biology. Careers include academic research, healthcare consulting, public health advocacy, community health work, international development, and policy analysis.
Emphasis Emphasizes the biological foundations of human existence and evolution, focusing on the physical aspects of human biology and behavior. Emphasizes the cultural and social dimensions of health and illness, exploring how cultural beliefs and practices shape health behaviors and healthcare systems.

Popular Medical Anthropology Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Medical Anthropology Colleges in India. Learn more about these Medical Anthropology colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
22 Courses
51.6 K - 80.61 K
9.24 - 9.5 LPA

#1 India Today

174 Courses
0 - 30 K
8 - 11.8 LPA
1.07 L - 16 L
3.4

#44 The Week

26 Courses
60.81 K - 76.47 K
9.2 LPA

#1 Outlook

26 Courses
432 - 540
7 LPA

#5 The Week

11 Courses
20 K - 1.84 L
6.23 - 6.89 LPA

#8 The Week

Popular Private Medical Anthropology Colleges in India

75 K - 5.12 L
4.0

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

14 Courses
2 L - 14 L

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

7 Courses
1.2 L - 4.6 L
4.0
1.07 L - 16 L
3.4

#44 The Week

12 Courses
1.5 L - 9.6 L
6 - 7.5 LPA
30 K - 1.6 L

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Medical Anthropology. Students interested in pursuing a career on Medical Anthropology, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Counselling Start

TENTATIVE

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Result

TENTATIVE

21 Feb ' 25

SAT Registration Deadline for March Test

25 Feb ' 25

SAT Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, a...

Feb '25 - Apr '25

CUET 2025 Application Process

TENTATIVE

Apr '25

CUET UG 2025 Application Form Correction

TENTATIVE

21 Sep ' 24

Second Phase of Counselling Begins

20 Sep ' 24

Reporting to Respective Colleges

qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...