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.
University of Aberdeen
University of Birmingham
- MA Africa and Development
- MA/Diploma in African Studies
- African Studies PhD/MA by Research
- MRes African Studies
Bournemouth University
University of Bradford
University of Bristol
Brunel University
- Childhood, Youth and Education MSc
- International Development and Humanitarianism MSc
- Medical Anthropology MSc
- Psychological and Psychiatric Anthropology MSc
- Social Anthropology MRes
University of Cambridge
- MPhil in Social Anthropology
- MPhil in Social Anthropology Research
- MPhil in Health, Medicine and Society
- PhD in Social Anthropology
University of Central Lancashire
University of Dundee
- Forensic Anthropology MSc
- Anatomy & Advanced Forensic Anthropology MSc
- Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology MSc
Durham University
- Socio-Cultural Anthropology MA
- Medical Anthropology MSc
- Sustainability, Energy and Development MSc
- Global and Planetary Health MSc
- Physical Activity, Health and Society MSc
- MA Research Methods (Anthropology)
- PhD Anthropology
University of East Anglia
University of East London
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter
- MA Anthrozoology
- MA Food Studies
- MA Society and Culture
- MPhil/PhD and MA by Research Anthropology
- MPhil/PhD Anthrozoology
Goldsmiths University of London
- MA in Applied Anthropology & Community & Youth Work
- MA in Visual Anthropology
- MA in Applied Anthropology & Community Development
- MA in Social Anthropology
- MA in Applied Anthropology & Community Arts
- MPhil & PhD Anthropology
- MPhil & PhD in Visual Anthropology
- MRes in Anthropology
- MRes in Visual Anthropology
University of Hull
University of Kent
- MA/PhD (Hons) Anthropology
- MSc Ethnobotany
- MSc Biological Anthropology (by Research)
- Anthropology & Ethnobiology Research Degrees
London School of Economics
Liverpool John Moores University
The University of Manchester
- Social Anthropology MA – Culture, Ethnography and Development Pathway
- Social Anthropology MA – Visual and Sensory Media Pathway
- Anthropology, Media and Performance PhD
- Social Anthropology PhD
- Social Anthropology with Visual Media PhD
- Anthropological Research MA
Oxford University
- 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
Queen’s University Belfast
School of Oriental and African Studies
- MA Anthropological Research Methods
- MRes Social Anthropology and Intensive Language
- MA Anthropology of Food
- MA Medical Anthropology and Mental Health
- MA Migration and Diaspora Studies and Intensive Language
- MA Social Anthropology
- MA in Migration and Diaspora Studies
- Research Degrees: Anthropology and Sociology
University of St. Andrews
University of Sussex
University College London
- MA Ethnographic and Documentary Film (Practice Based)
- MA Material and Visual Culture
- MSc Environment and Anthropology
- MSc Human Evolution and Behaviour
- MSc Medical Anthropology
- MSc Social and Cultural Anthropology
- MSc in Palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic Archaeology
- MRes Anthropology
- MPhil/PhD in Anthropology
- PhD Anthropology
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)
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.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
