Postgraduate Programmes
In recent years, anthropology departments across Britain have expanded the range of postgraduate degree courses offered in anthropology. Students are now able to choose degrees in Anthropology of Childhood, Digital Anthropology, Forensics, Environmental Anthropology and many other specialisations.
When choosing a postgraduate degree it is important to research your options thoroughly and to think of the career sector in which you would most enjoy working. Although obtaining a postgraduate qualification can be an important step to enhancing career prospects, in most cases it will not automatically help you get a job. Work, further training and/or voluntary experience are important in helping you add to the skills and knowledge you have gained during your degree.
In general, students who wish to take a MA or MSc in Anthropology do not require a previous undergraduate degree in the subject. Students are advised however to check the admissions requirements of specific university programmes.
Types of Postgraduate degree courses:
- Taught masters courses (MA, MSc) usually range from one to two years and require students to complete a dissertation or a research project.
- Research degree courses (MPhil, PhD). In the UK, this usually involves a research component with fieldwork (generally two years for an MPhil and three years for a PhD). At the end of their fieldwork, students are asked to submit a written dissertation.
UK Universities offering Postgraduate Degree Courses in Anthropology/Archaeology or Forensic Science
For information on courses and concentrations available at each institution, follow the departmental links below.
African Studies PhD/MA by Research
Bournemouth University: MSc Biological Anthropology
University of Bradford: MSc Human Osteology and Palaeopathology (HOP)
University of Bristol: Archaeology and Anthropology PhD/MPhil
Anthropology of Childhood, Youth and Education MSc
Anthropology of International Development and Humanitarian Assistance MSc
Psychological and Psychiatric Anthropology MSc
University of Central Lancashire : Forensic Anthropology
University of Dundee
Anatomy & Advanced Forensic Anthropology MSc
Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology MSc
Socio-Cultural Anthropology MA
MA Research Methods (Anthropology)
University of East Anglia: MA Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas
University of East London: MSc Anthropology
MSc in Social Anthropology/MSc by Research in Social Anthropology
MSc in Medical Anthropology/MSc by Research in Medical Anthropology
Goldsmiths University of London
MA in Applied Anthropology & Community & Youth Work
MA/MSc (Hons) Environmental Anthropology
MA (Hons) Social Anthropology and Computing
MA (Hons) Social Anthropology and Conflict
MA (Hons) Social Anthropology with Visual Ethnography
MA (Hons) Social Anthropology of Europe
MSc Evolution and Human Behaviour
Anthropology & Ethnobiology Research Degrees
MSc Anthropology of Learning and Cognition
MSc Anthropology & Development
Liverpool John Moores University
MSc Primate Behaviour and Conservation
Social Anthropology MA - Culture, Ethnography and Development Pathway
Social Anthropology MA - Visual and Sensory Media Pathway
Anthropology, Media and Performance PhD
Social Anthropology with Visual Media PhD
MSc in Medical Anthropology/M.Phil. in Medical Anthropology
MSc/MPhil programme in Visual, Material, and Museum Anthropology
MSc Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology
Oxford Brookes University: MA Anthropology
Roehampton University
School of Oriental and African Studies
MA Anthropological Research Methods
MA Anthropological Research Methods and Intensive Language
MA Anthropological Research Methods and Nepali
MA Anthropology of Travel, Tourism and Pilgrimage
MA Medical Anthropology and Intensive Language
MA Migration and Diaspora Studies and Intensive Language
MA Social Anthropology of Development
MA in Migration and Diaspora Studies
Research Degrees: Anthropology and Sociology
Master of Research in Amerindian, Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Master of Research in Social Anthropology with Pacific Studies
Master of Research in Anthropology, Art and Perception
MA Anthropology of Development and Social Transformation
MA Social Anthropology of the Global Economy
MA Ethnographic and Documentary Film (Practice Based)
MA Materials Anthropology Design
MA Material and Visual Culture
MSc Anthropology, Environment and Development
MSc Human Evolution and Behaviour
MSc Social and Cultural Anthropology
MSc in Palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic Archaeology
Important questions to consider when choosing your degree:
- Which specialist areas of anthropology am I most interested in?
- Which career sector would I like to work in?
- What is the geographical region I am most interested in?
- Is there anyone in the university’s anthropology department who is interested in my research area?
- Is there a work experience/fieldwork component to the degree?
- How is the university’s teaching and research rated nationally/internationally?
- Is the qualification transferable?
- Does the university department provide links to career or research opportunities?
Tips on getting started with your search:
- Take a look at our specialist areas in anthropology to think about areas you may be interested in
- Take a look at our career paths to find out about jobs that may be available with your degree
- Attend university open days and speak to departmental staff and admissions tutors to find out which programme best suits your needs
- Read journal articles, internet resources, newspaper articles or listen to interviews with staff from the anthropology department you are interested in
- Get in touch with former students and ask them questions
- Attend open seminars that are held at the university
Funding possibilities:
Opportunities to locate sources of funding include, but are not confined to:
American Anthropological Association (AAA) webpage of Fellowships & Grants
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
Higher Education Academy for Sociology, Anthropology and Politics (C-SAP)
Royal Anthropological Institute
Future Careers:
Take a look at the career paths section to find out more about the types of careers you can pursue with an anthropology degree.
General Information on Postgraduate Degrees:
http://www.npc.org.uk/ - National Postgraduate Committee
http://www.prospects.ac.uk – Prospects website on Postgraduate study
http://www.findamasters.com/ - information on Postgraduate Masters Degrees in Britain
http://www.postgrad.com/ - information and links on postgraduate study and careers
http://www.gradschools.com/ - information on postgraduate degree courses in the United States
Get involved in anthropology through the RAI's Education Outreach Programme
The RAI's Education Department organises events, activities, contests as well as produces teaching and learning materials for anyone interested in learning about anthropology. Take a look at the many ways to get involved with like-minded people who are passionate about the subject:
- Become an RAI member: take a look here for all the benefits associated with joining the RAI.
- Attend an event: take a look at our events page for a list of various anthropological events which take place nationally.
- Take part in discussions by joining us on Twitter @DiscoverAnthro and our Facebook Group
- Join our Student E-Network by emailing Emma Ford, the RAI's This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- Become a volunteer: the RAI's Education Department is always looking for ethusiastic individuals to help out with our outreach events such as the London Anthropology Day and the ESRC Festival of Social Science. If you are interested in volunteering email Emma Ford, the RAI's This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- Apply for an internship: interns form an essential part of the RAI's Educational Outreach Activities. If you are interested in becoming an intern for the RAI's Education Department email Emma Ford, the RAI's This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your CV and a cover letter. A minimum of two months is required in order to be considered. For further information about volunteering at the RAI visit: http://www.therai.org.uk/about-the-rai/governance/getting-involved/
- Be creative: If you have a poem, song, artwork or photographs which reflect anthropological topics, email Emma Ford, the RAI's This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Take a look at the Your Space section for inspiration!
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for information and guidance only. It should not be interpreted as endorsement or otherwise by the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) for any external institution listed. Furthermore, the RAI accepts no responsibility for material created by external parties or the content of external websites.