A concentration chosen in the Open Curriculum
Brown says undergraduates sample courses before choosing one of 80-plus concentrations, and there is no required core. The pages read describe no separate application to Anthropology.
Undergraduate · Brown University
Brown Anthropology: a general track, specialist tracks and engaged scholarship
Brown does not admit applicants to Anthropology. They apply to the university and choose a concentration within the Open Curriculum. The Bulletin describes several tracks: a General Anthropology Track with foundational courses across subfields, and tracks with linguistic, health and archaeological emphases, all compatible with an Engaged Scholarship Certificate. This guide reads the General Anthropology Track as its worked example and says so where it matters.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Brown says about Brown Anthropology
Taken from the Brown Bulletin entry for the Anthropology concentration and Brown's Open Curriculum, Standardized Tests and international Admission Criteria pages, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Brown's pages for the 2028-entry details.
A general track and specialist tracks
The Bulletin lists a General Anthropology Track alongside other tracks.
Foundations across subfields
Students choose a sociocultural, linguistic or medical foundation and an archaeology or biological one.
Engaged scholarship
All tracks are compatible with the Engaged Scholarship Certificate.
The SAT or ACT is required
Brown requires scores for first-year applicants and sets no minimum score; international applicants should plan to sit A levels or the IB and submit predicted or actual scores.
Official sources
- Brown University: Open Curriculumbrown.edu
- Brown Bulletin: Anthropology concentrationbulletin.brown.edu
- Brown Undergraduate Admission: Standardized Testsadmission.brown.edu
Read on 2 November 2026 on the Brown Bulletin entry for the Anthropology concentration and Brown's Open Curriculum, Standardized Tests and international Admission Criteria pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Brown's department website, the course descriptions, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The concentration
What the Bulletin says the Anthropology concentration is
The Bulletin describes anthropology as the study of human beings from all times and places, with a holistic, comparative, international and humanistic perspective, taught by a department working in cultural anthropology, archaeology and further subfields. The General Anthropology Track asks for foundational courses in two areas, a methods choice, courses in at least two of four subfields and five further electives, at least three at the 1000 level. Other tracks have their own requirements, which this guide did not read in full.
Is it the right concentration?
Anthropology beside Cognitive Science and International Public Affairs
Brown lists these concentrations separately, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Anthropology fits if
you want comparative study of societies and cultures with fieldwork or archaeological methods available.
Cognitive Science fits if
you want the mind studied across disciplines. Avandy's Brown Cognitive Science guide covers it.
International and Public Affairs fits if
you want policy and global affairs as the frame. Avandy's Brown International and Public Affairs guide covers it.
Admission and testing
A Brown application, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
Brown has returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants and says there are no minimum scores. International applicants should plan to sit national and international examinations such as the GCE A-levels and the IB and submit predicted or actual scores, with actual scores expected before matriculation. The concentration is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Brown's.
Which track would you pursue?
The Bulletin lists a general track and specialist tracks; this guide read the General track.
Do fieldwork, internships or study abroad appeal?
The Bulletin urges students to seek these out.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB?
Brown requires scores for first-year applicants and sets no minimum score.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Brown's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Brown's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Brown has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Brown for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Anthropology entry in the Brown Bulletin and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Brown University or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Brown University. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Brown Anthropology?
The pages read describe admission to Brown. Students develop a personalised course of study and choose a concentration in the Open Curriculum.
Is there a general Anthropology track?
Yes. The Bulletin lists a General Anthropology Track with foundational courses across subfields.
Can Anthropology combine with engaged scholarship?
Yes. The Bulletin says all Anthropology tracks are compatible with the Engaged Scholarship Certificate.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Brown says it has returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants, with no minimum score.
Do A levels and the IB count?
Brown tells international applicants to plan to sit examinations such as the GCE A-levels and the IB and submit predicted or actual scores.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Brown's wording with no entry-year label. Check Brown's pages again when Brown publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Brown Anthropology
Tell us about the student's curriculum, which Anthropology track appeals, whether engaged scholarship interests them and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.