Overview
The MRes Social Anthropology offers students training in social science research methods, with a strong focus on ethnographic methods. It aims to provide students with the skills they need to conduct research at a doctoral level, or to work as social science researchers. In addition to the acquisition of strong methodological skills, students are able to benefit from SOAS' renowned offering of African and Asian languages, as well as its expertise in the humanities, including philosophy, linguistics, literature, and history.
This two-year intensive language pathway is directed at students who wish to combine knowledge of social anthropology with expertise in a regional language. It prepares students to apply their anthropological knowledge in a specific region by achieving proficiency in a language.
Why study MRes Social Anthropology at SOAS?
- our Anthropology Department is ranked 5th in the UK and 13th in the world in the 2020 QS World University Rankings
- we draw on the exceptional regional expertise of our academics in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern languages and politics, many of whom have joined us with a practical working knowledge of their disciplines
- you will be joining our thriving community of alumni and academics who have an impact on the world outside of academia
- you will be able to flexibly structure your programme using our optional modules and/or optional modules from other departments, including the opportunity to learn a regional language
- we are specialists in the delivery of languages. Your command of a second language at SOAS will set you apart from graduates of other universities
The MRes Social Anthropology may be taken either as a free standing MRes or as the first part of a PhD [e.g. as a 1 + 3 research training programme]. In the latter case, the MRes therefore serves as a shortcut into the PhD. It is designed to train students in research skills, including language training, to the level prescribed by the ESRC’s research training guidelines.
Most students would be expected to progress to PhD registration at the end of the degree.
The MRes is recognised by the ESRC.
Aims and Outcomes
The MRes is designed to train students in research skills to the level prescribed by the ESRC’s research training guidelines. It is intended for students with a good first degree (minimum of a 2.1) in social anthropology and/or a taught Masters degree in social anthropology. Most students would be expected to progress to PhD registration at the end of the degree. By the end of the program students will:
- have achieved practical competence in a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods and tools
- have the ability to understand key issues of method and theory, and to understand the epistemological issues involved in using different methods
In addition to key issues of research design, students will be introduced to a range of specific research methods and tools including:
- interviewing, collection and analysis of oral sources, analysis and use of documents, participatory research methods, issues of triangulation research validity and reliability, writing and analysing field notes, and ethnographic writing
- social statistics techniques relevant for fieldwork and ethnographic data analysis (including chi-square tests, the T-test, F-test, and the rank correlation test)
Discipline specific training in anthropology includes:
- ethnographic methods and participant observation
- ethical and legal issues in anthropological research
- the logistics of long-term fieldwork
- familiarisation with appropriate regional and theoretical literatures
- writing-up (in the field and producing ethnography) and communicating research results; and
- Language training
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
Entry requirements
- We will consider all applications with 2:ii (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application including supporting statement and references.
- duration:
- 2 year full-time or 4 years part-time. The expectation in the UK is of continuous study across the year, with break periods used to read and to prepare coursework.
Fees 2021/22
- UK/EU fees:
- £11,520
- Overseas fees:
- £22,500
Fees for 2021/22 entrants. This is a Band 3 fee. The fees are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. Further details can be found in the Fees and Funding tab on this page or in the Registry Postgraduate Tuition Fees page
Combinations
May be combined with:
The following Intensive Language pathways are available with the MRes Social Anthropology
Structure
Students must take 315 credits in total, comprised of 225 taught credits (45 of which are taught abroad as part of a Summer School) and a 90-credit dissertation as outlined below.
In their first year, students on this two-year Intensive Language programme take 60 credits of intensive language instruction and 60 credits in the discipline. During the summer, they participate in a Summer School abroad. In the second year, they take another 30 language credits as well as 30 credits in the discipline; they also complete their dissertation in the discipline.
The structure of the programme can be adjusted for those who wish to take the programme part-time over a period of four years and/or for those who have a previous background in Anthropology. For more information email: anthsoc@soas.ac.uk
Please see the relevant web pages in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and in the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics for information on the Intensive Language part of the programme.
Year 1 (two years full time)
Discipline Component
Compulsory Modules
AND
Guided Module(s) from the Anthropology and Sociology list below, to the value of 15 credits.
Language Component
Students take 60 credits in the selected language.
Summer Abroad
Students participate in a Summer School abroad for the selected language, to the value of 45 credits.
Year 2 (two years full time)
Language Component
Students take 30 credits in the selected language.
AND
Discipline Component
Guided Module(s) from the Anthropology and Sociology list below, to the value of 30 credits.
OR
Guided Module(s) from the Anthropology and Sociology list below, OR modules from the Postgraduate Open Options List, to the value of 30 credits.
AND
All students are required to attend the Epigeum - Statistical Methods for Social Sciences. This will not count towards your 180 credits.
Dissertation
All students are required to take the compulsory dissertation module worth 90 credits.
List of modules (subject to availability)
Anthropology and Sociology
Programme Specification
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching & Learning
The academic staff in the Department of Anthropology are dynamic, experienced teachers who are widely recognised for their expertise and enjoy working directly with students. Renowned scholars from other institutions also come to share their knowledge. The SOAS Anthropology Department sponsors several lecture series, including the weekly Departmental Research Seminar, the Food Studies Centre's Food Forum and the Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies’ Seminar Series.
In addition to these formal settings for learning, our students also learn from one another. Hailing from around the globe and bringing diverse life experiences to bear on their studies, all MA students in the Department of Anthropology can take courses together, making it a rich environment for intellectual exchange. Students also benefit from campus-wide programmes, clubs, study groups, and performances.
Modules
During the academic year, modules are delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and/or seminars. Students can expect an average of two hours of classroom time per week for each module. Outside of the classroom, students explore topics of the module through independent study and through personal exchanges with teachers and fellow students. In some cases, modules are taught by several teachers within the department to provide students with an array of perpsectives on the subject. All modules involve the active participation of students in the discussion of ideas, viewpoints and readings.
The Dissertation
The MRes Social Anthropology culminates in a 15,000-word dissertation, based on original research on a topic of the student's own choosing and developed in discussion with a supervisor.
Year Abroad
All students participate in a Summer School abroad for the selected language.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Postgraduate Tuition Fees page.
This is a Band 3 tuition fee.
Fees for 2021/22 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Fees go up each year, therefore, your tuition fee in your second & subsequent years of study will be higher. Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.
Full-time |
Part-time 2 Years |
Part-time 3 Years |
Part-time 4 Years Intensive Language only |
UK Students |
Overseas Students |
UK Students |
Overseas Students |
UK Students |
Overseas Students |
UK Students |
Overseas Students |
£11,520 |
£22,500 |
£5,760 |
£11,250 |
£3,840 |
£7,500 |
£5,760 |
£11,250 |
Scholarships
Application Deadline: 2021-01-29 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-01-29 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2020-02-20 15:00
Application Deadline: 2020-06-05 15:00
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
Employment
Students of the MRes Social Anthropology develop a wide range of transferable skills such as research, analysis, oral and written communication skills.
Many MRes students go on to do successful PhD research , either within our department or at other leading universities. Others apply their knowledge of research methods in employment in international institutions, NGOs, government, and business, both within the UK and overseas. Recent SOAS career choices have included commerce and banking, government service, the police and prison service, social services and health service administration.
For more information visit Graduate Destinations for this department.
A Student's Perspective
When I first came here I was very surprised on how kind, polite and caring everyone was. From the staff to the students, everyone was very welcoming and enthusiastic. Coming from a corporate world and living in a big city like London, SOAS has been like an oasis in the desert; a very colourful, blissful environment which makes you feel at home.
Nafsika Papacharalampous
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