MA Social Anthropology

Year 1

Year 1 provides you with a broad introduction to the subject. You will study Social Anthropology 1A and 1B, Fundamentals: Studying Anthropology and Fundamentals: Anthropological Practice. You will choose two to four option courses.

Year 2

You will study Social Anthropology 2: Key Concepts, Ethnography: Theory and Practice, Fundamentals: Ethnographic Theory, and Fundamentals: Reading and Writing Anthropology. You will also choose between two and four additional courses, either related to your programme or from another academic area.

Year 3

You will study compulsory courses including: Anthropological Theory, Kinship, Ritual & Religion, and Consumption, Exchange & Technology.

You will also choose two courses from a range, such as Happiness: Cross-cultural Perspectives, Urban Anthropology, the Anthropology of Africa and Latin American Anthropology.

You will also have the opportunity to conduct your own research in the summer break between Years 3 and 4. Your dissertation supervisor will help you to plan and develop your research project which can take place in the UK or overseas.

Year 4

You will study the compulsory course Culture & Power. You will also use your research findings to complete an honours dissertation, and continue to choose option courses.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2018/19)

Our facilities

Most of the teaching takes place at facilities located within the University's Central Area. You will also have access to the University library and computer facilities.

Study abroad

In addition to your research project, which may be based overseas, there are opportunities to study abroad through the University's international exchange programme.

Guaranteed study abroad funding for students required to complete a year abroad

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials and will receive supervision with your research project.

How will I be assessed?

The course is assessed through exams, coursework, and project work.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2019/20)

Previous graduates have chosen careers in social development, healthcare, journalism and film. Others have gained employment with international organisations such as Oxfam.

A growing number choose to continue with postgraduate study in anthropology, leading to careers as anthropological researchers with universities, public bodies such as the NHS, or private sector companies.

Typical offer range

The typical offer is likely to be:

• SQA Highers: AAAA - ABBB.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 43 points (grades 766 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL). (Revised 2/6/18 to provide more accurate information).

Access threshold

The access threshold for a contextual offer is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Find out more about access thresholds and contextual offers

Detailed requirements for all applicants

To be considered for an offer of a place all applicants must meet the following requirements:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or ABBBB/AABB from S4-S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6. National 5: English at Grade C and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C.
• A Levels: ABB. GCSEs: English at Grade C or 4 and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C or 4.
• IB: Award of Diploma with 34 points overall and grades 655 in HL subjects. SL: English at 5 and Mathematics or an approved science at 4.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:

• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component
• TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section
• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
• Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

About English language requirements

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 Grade C
• SQA Standard Grade 3
• SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A
• SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C
• GCSE Grade C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate Grade C
• IB Standard Level Grade 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Unistats data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Social Anthropology

Additional costs

If you choose to go overseas to do your dissertation research you will be responsible for all costs. Most students incur no additional costs as they either remain in the UK or do their research while studying abroad in Year 3.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office
• Email: CAHSS.UGAdmissions@ed.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3565
• Web: Social Anthropology website
• International enquiries