Social Anthropology MRes

The Social Anthropology MRes is a taught postgraduate degree that will equip you with high quality training in anthropology and anthropological research, particularly if you are considering PhD study.

This course may also suit you if you’re keen to enhance your career through the acquisition of advanced knowledge and research skills in anthropology, or if you haven’t studied anthropology before, but have a stronger interest developing your own research.

A unique feature of this programme is the opportunity to design, in collaboration with academic staff, a set of guided modules from the suite of anthropology taught subjects, to suit your particular research interests in social anthropology.

The MRes programme at Brunel marries the best aspects of the traditional apprenticeship system of anthropology, where you will work with a leading anthropologist in their geographical area of interest.

Brunel student projects in anthropology have been or are currently funded by a number of funding sources including the British Council, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme, the World Health Organization, national and local governments as well as NGOs.

A 30 month part-time option of the course is also available. If you wish to be considered for the part-time 30 month version, please make your application for the 24 month part-time route and then contact the Admissions team to request the change to the 30 month duration.

Your compulsory modules will give you a firm grounding in anthropology research, alongside optional module choices which will support your research.

Please see programme specification for the specific optional module combination choices that are available.

This course can be studied 1 year full-time or 2 or 2.5 years part-time, starting in September.

The MRes is specifically designed for those considering doctoral or PhD study in anthropology, as well as a stand-alone qualification. The broad range of research strategies taught also makes it an excellent basis for professional development and research in other areas of social science.

• A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree in a Humanities or Social Science subject with a personal statement demonstrating knowledge of interest in subject area , or an equivalent overseas qualification.

OR

• An equivalent professional qualification (e.g. from a Health, Teaching or Child Welfare background or similar).

Candidates not fully meeting these criteria may nevertheless be considered.

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 58 (51 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 65% (min 60% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 92 (min 20 in all)

N.B. UK and EU applicants: the 30 month part-time course will not be eligible for a Postgraduate Loan. If you wish to be considered for the part-time 30 month version, please make your application for the 24 month part-time route and then contact the Admissions team to request the change to the 30 month duration.

Anthropology modules are taught by a team of Brunel experts who have worked in many countries across the globe, including South, West and East Africa, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka, as well as Britain.

Additionally, you will be assigned to an academic supervisor who will help to guide you in your choice of modules towards your research interests.

Find out more about their particular research interests by following the links:

• Dr Nicolas Argenti
• Dr Andrew Beatty
• Dr Liana Chua
• Dr Peggy Froerer
• Dr Eric Hirsch
• Dr Maria Kastrinou
• Dr Isak Niehaus
• Dr Will Rollason
• Dr James Staples

Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.

Assessment is typically by essay or practical assignments (for example, analysis of a short field exercise), and a dissertation of approximately 15,000 words based upon your own fieldwork experience. There are no examinations.