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Social Anthropology MRes

Key Information

Start date

September

Subject area

Anthropology

Mode of study

1 year full-time

2 or 2.5 years part-time

Fees

2025/26

UK £12,125

International £20,400

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Entry requirements

2:2

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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.

Please be aware that the Master of Research (MRes) in Social Anthropology at Brunel University of London is classified as a Taught Master’s programme, not a research degree. As a result, students enrolled on this course are not eligible to bring dependants under the current UK visa regulations.

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

  • SA56xB - Ethnographic Research
  • SA5629 - Ethnographic Dissertation

Optional

  • SA5xxD - Culture, Education and Learning
  • SA5xxE - Global Development: Critical Perspectives
  • SA5XXH - Global Health: Critical Perspectives
  • SA5631 - Global South Asia
  • SA5598 - Guided Study Module
  • SA5599 - Guided Study Module
  • SA5540 - Kinship, Sex and Gender
    An 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 Settings
    Delve 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.
  • SA56xA - Migration, Citizenship and Identity
  • SA5xxF - South Asia: Cultures, Societies and Development
  • SA5623 - Understanding Childhood and Youth
    This 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.
  • SA5624 - War and Humanitarian Assistance
    In 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.

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. 
  • Other subjects may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • A Research Brief: this should be 750 words outlining your research interests in the field of Social Anthropology and should include:
    • An introductory outline of a research project that could reasonably be completed with 2-3 months of empirical research
    • Research questions: include up to 3 research questions or problems that will guide your research
    • Literature: outline the anthropological literature that relates to your research questions, and that you are interested in exploring further
    • Research context: describe/explain the social context within which your research is situated, or where it will take place
    • Methodology: how will you carry out the research? Identify some of the key ethnographic methods which you expect to use in your research project
  • Following a successful evaluation of your research brief and qualifications, you will be invited to an interview.

 

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

2025/26 entry

UK

£12,125 full-time

£6,060 part-time

International

£20,400 full-time

£10,200 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:

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.