Overview
This course will equip you with high quality training in anthropology and anthropological research, particularly if you are considering PhD study.
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 strong interest in developing your own research, then this course is for you.
You’ll have the opportunity to design, in collaboration with academic staff, a set of guided‑study modules to complement the suite of taught modules, to suit your particular research interests.
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.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
Your compulsory modules will give you a firm grounding in anthropology research, alongside optional module choices which will support your research.
Compulsory
- SA5517 - Dissertation in Social Anthropology Research
- SA5603 - Ethnographic Research MethodsThis module will introduce you to the methods employed by anthropologists when undertaking ethnographic research in preparation for your own fieldwork research on which your dissertation will be based.
Optional
- War and Humanitarian AssistanceIn this subject you will analyse the social and economic consequences of contemporary warfare and the rebuilding war-torn societies from an anthropological perspective and by doing so, understand the different ways anthropological research can enhance the understanding of contemporary warfare.
- SA5523 - Anthropology of the BodyExplore key theories of ‘the body’ in anthropology and other cognate discipline through the work of scholars such as Pierre Bourdieu, Michel Foucault and Thomas Csordas. You will also be exposed to contemporary approaches to the study of subjectivity, personhood and experience across societies and cultures.
- SA5622 - Anthropology and Global HealthA theoretical introduction to the anthropological study of global health which includes a comparative understanding of the methods employed by biomedical scientists, epidemiologists, biosocial anthropologists, clinically applied and critical medical anthropologists in the study of global health.
- Cross-Cultural perspectives on Education and LearningGain an appreciation of the key issues in the anthropology of education and learning and an understanding, ethnographically, of how culture shapes and informs the educational and learning process an and in turn impacts social and cultural practices.
- SA5527 - Anthropology of the PersonAnthropological approaches to understanding ‘the person’ are discussed through the work of theorists such as Mauss and Hacking including contemporary approaches to the study of subjectivity, personhood and experience in formal and informal environments.
- Critical Perspectives on International Development
You will gain a theoretical and historical overview of the changing relationship between anthropology and international development as you learn to understand the multiple ways in which anthropological research can enhance our understanding of contemporary policies and practices in international development.
- SA5601 - Ethnicity, Identity and CultureLearn about the range of key concepts, theories and controversies in the anthropology of ethnicity, culture, nationhood and identity. Drawing on case studies from within and beyond Britain, it will encourage you to consider how identities are created, deployed and contested.
- SA5596 - Guided Study ModuleGuided study modules within your MRES will help you to discover how to plan, implement and evaluate your own independent research, alongside regular supervisory support. After initiate negotiation of your subject choice with your supervisor, a fundamental part of your work is a critical evaluation of anthropological literature on your chosen topic.
- SA5540 - Kinship, Sex and GenderAn introduction to some of the key social anthropological literature on kinship, gender and sexuality including universalities and particularities in the construction of gender roles and different theoretical paradigms on gender and sexuality.
- SA5602 - Medical Anthropology in Clinical and Community SettingsDelve into the contemporary texts that have contributed to the development of medical anthropology as you consider its innovations and how the application of anthropological research in the subject can contribute to improving medical practices.
- SA5604 - Thinking AnthropologicallyTo introduce you to the discipline of anthropology, and to offer you a grounding in its key theories and methods. By the end of the module, you will be able to draw connections between the materials studied your own degree specialism.
- SA5620 - Themes in Psychological and Psychiatric AnthropologyProvides a theoretical introduction to psychological and psychiatric anthropology, to provide you with detailed insight into the ways in which person, emotion, and subjectivity are shaped through cultural practices.
- Understanding Childhood and YouthThis module will introduce you to the study of childhood and youth as they are constructed and practiced in different social, cultural and economic settings. The first section focuses on children, looking first at how ideas of childhood are constructed by adults, the second section is devoted to young people.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
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.
UK entry requirements
- 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.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£11,550 full-time
£5,775 part-time
International
£21,260 full-time
£10,630 part-time
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.
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
You'll be taught by world leading experts in your field of study, and have the opportunity to interact with fellow students at London’s leading campus University.
Your programme will consist of various learning and studying activities, including lectures, seminars and discussions. On each taught module, students will have in person lectures, seminars or workshops for two-to-three hours per week on average during the teaching terms. There will also be supervision sessions for the dissertation, as well as regular opportunities to seek guidance during module lecturers’ feedback and consultation hours. Additionally, students can seek support in individual meetings with their personal tutors, both on campus and online. There will also be regular cohort meetings and student society events, at both programme and departmental levels. Field trips and excursions to support students’ learning will be organised throughout the year.
All lectures, seminars, cohort meetings and other social activities will occur in person on the Brunel campus. Students are expected to regularly attend these events, as sustained engagement with a learning community is a central dimension of the Brunel experience. Online provision of some activities will be made available when it is appropriate to the learning outcomes of your programme.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
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'll 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 and feedback
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.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.