Anthropology

Overview
The Anthropology MA is designed to provide students with a strong grounding in the principles and methods of Anthropology. It offers the opportunity to study innovative modules taught by leading experts in key anthropological fields, including Conflict and Borders, Religion, Cognition and Culture, Business and Sustainability, Material Culture and Art, Migration and Diasporas, Anthropology of Ireland, Human-Animal relations and the cross-cultural study of Emotions. Anthropology at Queen’s also has a distinguished history in Ethnomusicology, the cross-cultural study of music.

The MA teaching is research-led and draws on our staff’s theoretical work in these areas, as well as regional expertise, including research in India, Pakistan, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, Japan, the Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, the UK, and the island of Ireland. Anthropology at QUB is ranked 2nd in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2021) and 1st in relation to research intensity (Research Excellence Framework 2014). With 97.8% for overall satisfaction!

Our MA in Anthropology explores current debates in the study of cultures and societies and offers specialised knowledge and advanced skills for a range of competitive careers or further study at PhD level. Studying anthropology at postgraduate level combines an in-depth understanding of human diversity and critical social theory, with hands-on training in carrying out grounded ethnographic research.

Studying Anthropology at Queen’s gives you the opportunity to design and carry out field research anywhere in the world. Under the guidance of experienced supervisors, students develop original projects among diverse groups of people across the globe. Doing ethnographic fieldwork will give you real-world skills that are uniquely valued among employers and offer you unforgettable cultural and social experiences. At the same time, Belfast and the island of Ireland, more broadly, offer unique sites to conduct research locally on most topics of anthropological interest, including conflict transformation and peacebuilding, religion, borders, arts and creativity, identity, ethnicity and nationalism, material culture, and policy-engaged anthropology.

Studying anthropology is a great way to get involved in contemporary issues and gain a wide range of critical and applied skills highly relevant in a globally interconnected world. MA students in our programme learn how to discover and understand human societies and cultures, and to work in collaboration with people in their places and communities.

This programme provides students with the opportunity to work in the centre for anthropological study and research in Northern Ireland. Our staff and programmes have long-standing connections with a number of local and international organisations, NGOs, and community groups. Anthropology postgraduate life centres around the weekly Anthropology Postgraduate Seminar and regular Anthropology Research Seminars, as well as regular events in the Institute for Cognition and Culture, the Institute of Irish Studies, and The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice.

Course Structure
If you wish to take the programme on a part time basis you will be required to complete 3 taught modules each year (one in first semester and two in second semester or vice versa). It is advised you should complete the core modules in your first year. Please note, all modules run at the same time for full time and part time students. Please contact the programme convenor for further information.

Core Modules (Autumn)
This programme is designed to offer students a foundation in the field of anthropology, including transferable skills connected to methodological outlooks (interviews, participant observation, digital and visual anthropology) and to theoretical issues within the discipline. The programme also addresses contemporary themes (climate change, social movements, visual media, conflict and social groups). A key component of the programme is students’ ability to design and conduct their own, original project, under the supervision of a member of staff and an expert in the field, which involves an extended period of fieldwork over the summer months. Alongside the methodological and theoretical courses provided, this programme offers a comprehensive introduction to the discipline and a hands-on experience of conducting ethnographic fieldwork.

Students are required to take FOUR CORE modules (THREE in semester 1 and ONE in semester 2 PLUS the MA Dissertation). Students are required to take TWO Optional Modules, of which at least ONE should be from the Anthropology options. MA students complete a 12,000-15,000-word dissertation, under the guided supervision of an expert member of staff. Full-time students design their research in the spring semester with the help of their supervisor, conduct fieldwork in the early summer, and write up and complete the dissertation over the summer months. Students also participate in the weekly Anthropology Postgraduate Seminar were MA/PhD students present their on-going research and in addition attend the weekly Anthropology Research Seminar where established academics discuss their work. Students also have the option to audit an undergraduate module and participate in various music ensembles.

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

Core Modules:
Advanced Anthropological Methods (20 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)
Advanced Anthropological Perspectives (20 credits)
APPROACHES TO RESEARCH DESIGN (20 credits)
Ethnographic Writing (20 credits)

Optional Modules:
Anthropology of Conflict: Ireland and Beyond (20 credits)
The Anthropology of Europe (20 credits)
The Anthropology of Music (20 credits)

Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant subject, including Anthropology, Sociology and Cultural Studies or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Other subjects, such as Music, Geography, Psychology, Irish Studies, History and Languages may also be considered, depending on the nature of the completed undergraduate programme.

Applicants who hold a 2.2 Honours degree in one of the disciplines specified above or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, who can demonstrate relevant professional experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants may be required to submit a piece of written work in support of their application.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 16th August 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Assessed essays
Dissertation

1 year (Full Time), 3 years (Part Time)

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
Graduates have pursued careers in a wide range of fields, such as research (academic and non-academic), teaching, music therapy, consultancy, development and charity work, museum and heritage posts, journalism and radio broadcasting. Among those who have pursued academic careers, not all have done so within anthropology - several have taken posts in related disciplines. Others have found positions within governmental and non-governmental organisations abroad. Our graduates have found employment with a very wide range of employers, including the Council for International Educational Exchange, Handelsbanken Bank, the Institute for Conflict Research, US News and World Report and the Bangladesh Civil Service.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/