Anthropology MRes

UCL (University College London)

Anthropology is the study of humanity in all its diversity, from human behaviour and biology to our cultures, societies and language, both past and present. This one-year Anthropology MRes programme will give you a practical, methodological, and theoretical grounding in a wide range of social science and biological methods and approaches to understanding human beings, societies, and cultures, preparing you for doctoral research or professional practice. The MRes in Anthropology is our specialist research methods Master’s degree, designed to provide a strong theoretical, methodological, and practical foundation in anthropological research. It equips students with advanced training in social science and/or biological approaches to anthropology, with a particular emphasis on ethnographic and other empirical methods. The MRes programme provides ideal preparation for doctoral study or research-focused professional careers. From the outset, each student is paired with an academic supervisor—mirroring the PhD model—to support independent research on a chosen anthropological topic. Supervisors will typically be a specialist in the field or area of study chosen by the student. You will study in a warm and welcoming department that is also one of the largest and broadest anthropology departments in the UK, which researches and teaches across five sub-sections, and which continually works to expand and reshape the discipline. The MRes is particularly suited to students with a strong background in anthropology (either Bachelor’s or Master’s) who seek advanced training for doctoral research or applied practice. It may also be suitable for graduates from related disciplines (e.g., social sciences or humanities) seeking to deepen their understanding of anthropological methods and perspectives, often as a pathway toward future PhD study. In the latter case, applicants are required to liaise with the programme director to discuss their eligibility for the course.