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Anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Open days

7Dec
Goldsmiths, University of London - Postgraduate Open Day
Postgraduate

Course summary

Why study MRes Anthropology at Goldsmiths This programme offers advanced training to students who intend to undertake a doctorate in anthropology, and it presents a valuable standalone research degree in and of itself that allows students to apply for researcher positions.

  • Students applying for the MRes in Anthropology need to have a BA or an MA and need to provide a written research proposal the department can assess.
  • The MRes is a taught degree that provides training through classes and close supervision, which will enable you to develop your own research proposal and complete training modules that will support your intended project.
  • Having accomplished the degree you will be able to design and conduct research based on qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
  • The MRes provides you with insights into social science research methods, and in-depth training in ethnographic methods and issues around anthropological research, including ethics and practicalities of undertaking fieldwork, as well as basic quantitative training.
  • The MRes is a standalone degree programme where students may choose to develop professional research skills. Other MRes students use this as a training year for the MPhil/PhD programme in order to refine their proposal and to acquire necessary skills to conduct research in anthropology.
  • The taught elements of the programme include modules on research design; ethnographic methods and quantitative methods; and opportunities to audit a wide range of courses in the department, the university and across the University of London.
How to choose between MRes and MPhil/PhD
  • All research students are encouraged to register for the MRes in order to complete the requisite training for carrying out a doctoral research project in anthropology, regardless of whether they hold a degree in anthropology.
  • Students who complete the MRes successfully will transfer to MPhil status after completing the dissertation (usually in September) and register for the MPhil/PhD degree afterwards.
  • However, if you hold an MA in Anthropology with a substantial methods training component it is possible to register directly for the full-time MPhil programme, provided the department and your future supervisor(s) agree after interviewing you.
  • MPhil-registered students are expected to audit the courses available to the MRes students and present assessed material similar to the MRes dissertation during their first year to be upgraded to PhD status.
  • Only after they have been upgraded successfully can they start fieldwork or other forms of data collection.
  • Students cannot be registered as PhD students without having gone through this process.

Modules

In the week before the beginning of the academic year in mid-September there is an Induction Programme for all new research postgraduates at Goldsmiths. You will be introduced to Goldsmiths-wide and departmental facilities and procedures, and attend workshops on what is involved in doing a research degree. The MRes is a training year, in which work on your own research project is coupled with general training in anthropological and social science Methods - run both within the department and by the Goldsmiths Research Office - as follows: Doing Ethnography (10 weeks x 2 hours) Research Design (10 weeks x 2.5 hours) Quantitative Research Methods (15 sessions of 2 hours each) or optional modules Department of Anthropology Research Seminar You may also take other modules depending on your specific training needs, such as learning a language, or auditing an MA course - either in the department or elsewhere, of particular relevance to your research project. You are also encouraged to attend seminars in other parts of the University of London, attend conferences, and go on outside modules such as those organised by GAPP (Group for Anthropology in Policy and Practice). There are departmental funds to enable you to attend such events.

Assessment method

The taught modules are assessed individually and the final assessment is a dissertation.

Entry requirements

Most direct entrants to the MRes or MPhil already have a first degree or an MA in Social Anthropology. If you don't have this, and you do not want to take one of our MA courses, you should apply to the MRes, which acts as a qualifying year conversion course for the MPhil/PhD programme, but is also a stand-alone degree. If you achieve the required standard, you can apply to register for the MPhil/PhD. If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to meet our English language requirements of IELTS 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study with us.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London - UCAS