Why study this course?
The programme takes a comparative and global view of human individuality, society and culture, studying how people make meaningful lives in extremely diverse settings. Research covers lives in cities and villages in Europe, the Pacific, Africa, Asia and the Americas.
You will examine topics as diverse as belief, politics, gender, illness, art, migration, colonialism and postcolonialism, or our relationship with the environment. You will question taken-for-granted ideas and learn to understand how others see the world.
The programme provides a general introduction to social anthropology at the postgraduate level, with an emphasis on bringing interdisciplinary skills to anthropological research. It enhances existing anthropological knowledge and helps develop theory and practice in those coming to anthropology for the first time.鈥疶he MRes offers a range of social science components, research and methodology training, and core social anthropology teaching.
Highlights
- Opportunities for theoretical development and specialist interests with training in research methodologies
- Small class sizes encourage student-led seminars and discussion as well as more contact with supervisors
- Introduction to cross-disciplinary connections and differences
Teaching
Delivered through formal lectures combined with seminar-style teaching and student-led group work.
Class sizes
Groups range from 5 to 10 students in lectures and 2 to 6 students in tutorials.
Dissertation
A 15,000-word project with regular support with an assigned individual supervisor.
Assessment
Modules are assessed through coursework which includes essays or learning journals, independent research-led assignments, and group-assessed oral presentations.
Modules
The 杏吧论坛 degree structure is designed to be flexible. You study compulsory modules delivering core learning together with optional modules you choose from the list available that year.
Compulsory social science training modules may be required for recognition of the MRes by the ESRC as a doctoral pathway.
Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of 杏吧论坛. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.
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Core social science training modules are listed below. These may be required for recognition of the MRes by the ESRC as a doctoral pathway. They are optional for non-ESRC funded students.
- Being a Social Scientist:鈥痜ocuses on how to design and produce a research dissertation and addresses issues of professional development (e.g., ethics, careers, grant writing).
- Philosophy and Methodology of the Social Sciences: introduces students to the basic theoretical approaches in the social sciences, covering the methodological and epistemological issues involved in conducting social scientific research.
- Qualitative Methods in Social Research:鈥痮ffers both a theoretical and practical introduction to the collection, analysis and writing of qualitative social science research.
- Quantitative Research in Social Science:鈥痯rovides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of quantitative analysis - underlying principles, research design, sampling strategies, uncertainty and missing data, and some statistical approaches to data analysis.
Non-ESRC funded students may substitute up to 30 credits from鈥痷ndergraduate Honours-level Social Anthropology鈥痬odules, with the approval of the course coordinator.
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- Anthropology, Art and Perception 1 or Anthropology, Art and Perception 2 : draw on themes from across the subject boundaries between art and anthropology to provide training for postgraduate research into the anthropology of human creativity and visual expression.
- Methodological and Philosophical Issues in Anthropology: is specifically designed for students who have not studied anthropology before. It will outline the key methods, philosophical and theoretical ideas that have shaped the discipline.
- The Anthropology of Connections: Interdisciplinarity as Methodology: examines the relevance of other disciplines for social anthropology by working with methodologies and concepts drawn from history, social science, philosophy, language and the arts.
- Research Methods in Social Anthropology: examines the methodology of anthropological research through close attention to the relationship between method and fieldwork experience.
Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students鈥�(see the University’s position on curriculum development).
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Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MRes, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MRes.
What it will lead to
Careers
Graduates in social anthropology from 杏吧论坛 will gain key practical skills in analysing social and cultural dynamics and how these shape relations, attitudes and experiences. They will learn how to communicate cross-culturally and to examine problems reflexively and holistically, revealing and questioning taken-for-granted assumptions.
These skills are transferable to many different careers, and are particularly sought after in development, the non-profit sector, the civil service, human resources, museums and curation, environmental conservation, business, and education.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
Further study
Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St鈥疉ndrews or elsewhere. The Department of Social Anthropology offers PhD supervision across a diverse range of theoretical interests and topics.
Why 杏吧论坛?
The Department of Social Anthropology provides postgraduates with access to a museum collection of ethnographic material and a common room that includes a general anthropological library, providing a space that is shared by both staff and postgraduates. The departmental libraries, together with the main University library which holds a fine anthropology collection, include resources covering nearly all regions of the world.
The Scottish Training in Anthropological Research (STAR) consortium brings together social anthropologists from the universities of St鈥疉ndrews, Aberdeen and Edinburgh to support innovation in research and teaching.
In addition to co-hosting international conferences and workshops, the consortium runs two free week-long residential training courses each year in anthropology for postgraduate students and early career researchers. The first course is for students at the pre-fieldwork level and the second is for those at an advanced stage of research writing.
Alumni
When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.
Ask a student
If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at 杏吧论坛 you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.
Entry requirements
- A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. No previous anthropological experience is required. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- CV
- personal statement
- sample of your own, single-authored鈥痑cademic written work (2,000 words)
- two original signed academic鈥痳eferences
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Fees and funding
- UK: £12,030
- Rest of the world: £25,900
Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
Scholarships and funding
We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:
Contact us
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Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the .
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University鈥檚 approach to fee setting is described online.
Page last updated: 12 March 2025