Anthropology

Overview
The Anthropology Diploma 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 PG 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 Diploma 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. 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 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. Diploma 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.

Learning and Teaching
The Diploma is taught through a combination of small-group seminars and lectures. Assessment and Feedback: through a combination of essays, learning journals, blog-posts, placements, projects, presentations and fieldwork-based reflections.

Knowledge and Understanding

• Advanced understanding of theory and method as applied to anthropological study.
• Advanced knowledge of ethnographic accounts of various conflict-affected contexts studied in a comparative perspective.
• The ability to engage critically with historical and contemporary anthropological debates.

Subject Specific Skills

• The ability to explore social and cultural issues with reference to ethnographic case studies
• Familiarity with-and between- the ideas and approaches adopted by various anthropologists
• The ability to identify relevant information and utilise anthropological sources effectively

Transferrable Skills

• Enhanced skills in group work (through seminars), in note taking, in presentation and in written argument;
• Library research skills;
• Critical reading;
• Research Design, interviewing skills, surveying skills;
• Advanced writing and oral presentation skills.

Course Structure
Students are required to take FOUR CORE modules (THREE in semester 1 and ONE in semester 2). Students are required to take TWO Optional Modules, of which at least ONE should be from the Anthropology options.

Students also participate in the weekly Anthropology Postgraduate Seminar were PG students present their ongoing 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.

Core Modules (Autumn)
• ANT7008 – Advanced Anthropological Perspectives
• ANT7009 - Anthropology: Ethnography and Evolutions
• HAP7001 - Approaches to Research Design

Core Modules (Spring)
• ANT7007 Advanced Anthropological Methods

Elective Modules (choose at least one):
• ANT7013 The Anthropology of Music
• ANT7023 Anthropology of Conflict: Ireland and Beyond
• ANT7003 Anthropology of Business

AND

Students will also be able to choose from a list of modules across the School and Faculty to support their specialisation.

Course Details
Students are required to take FOUR CORE modules (THREE in semester 1 and ONE in semester 2). Students are required to take TWO Optional Modules, of which at least ONE should be from the Anthropology options.

Students also participate in the weekly Anthropology Postgraduate Seminar were PG 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.

Elective Modules
Students may take at least one of the Anthropology modules (Spring Semester):

• ANT7013 The Anthropology of Music
• ANT7023 Anthropology of Conflict: Ireland and Beyond
• ANT7003 Anthropology of Business
OR
• another MA optional course offered by the AHSS Faculty

Graduate
Normally a 2.2 Honours degree in an appropriate subject (excluding Anthropology) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 12th August 2022 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.

1 academic year full-time, 2 academic years part-time.

Teaching Times
Teaching times will be a combination of both morning and afternoon with the opportunity for occasional weekend training sessions.

Intake: Annually (subject to numbers)

Career Prospects
Introduction
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/