Anthropology, as a discipline, is in constant contact with studies in the humanities, social sciences (literature, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, sociology, visual studies, and history), and natural sciences (biology, physics, and chemistry). This multidisciplinary aspect of anthropology facilitates specialization within its own sub-fields, endowing the discipline with theoretical depth, complexity, and perspectival openness. The Department of Anthropology at Istanbul University develops a research and educational model along this line. Providing students with the opportunity to specialize in different sub-disciplinary fields, we aim to develop their ability to comprehend and conceptualize the everyday life, encouraging versatile and systematic thinking. Our academic faculty specializes in social-cultural, physical and paleoanthropology. Our department offers theoretical and applied educational models at the undergraduate, M.A., and Ph.D. levels.

Our four-year Undergraduate Program in Anthropology provides a holistic approach to study the biological and cultural complexity of human societies, both past and present. Our curriculum consists of a balanced distribution of theoretical and methodological courses to support this endeavor. Compulsory and elective courses help students explore the different aspects of the human species and human relationships with their environment and with other species. Addressing theories of culture, social structure, and organization, while raising awareness of current anthropological research on the theoretical debates and global issues is of primary significance. The curriculum also includes applied course content designed to teach students how to generate research question(s), collect data, and analyze it, resulting in the writing (and publication) of academic works. Our students are encouraged to take non-departmental elective courses to expand their theoretical and methodological inquiries.

Third-year students choose between Social Anthropology and Biological Anthropology courses (in their 5th through to 8th semesters) and write a Bachelor’s Thesis in their selected field (starting in their 8th semester). They are required to complete their preliminary studies of their thesis in methodological courses. In collaboration with faculty, students determine a research topic for their thesis relevant to contemporary anthropological issues and the student's area of interest.

Eligible undergraduate students in Anthropology can apply to the Double Major or Minor Programs offered by the Faculty of Letters (for all programs offered and related provisions see LINK). Our department has bilateral educational agreements with the Universities of Graz Karl-Franzens (Austria) and Copenhagen (Denmark) under the Erasmus+ Exchange Program.

The Master's and Ph.D. Programs in Anthropology are administered under the Istanbul University Institute of Social Sciences.

Our graduates find job opportunities in various sectors and positions: public opinion research, advertising and marketing, banking, media, public relations, human resources, and forensic science. Many are employed in local museums, ministries, municipalities, and non-governmental organizations, while others pursue academic careers in the social sciences and humanities in Turkey and abroad.