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The MPhil is an academically challenging course that enables students to develop their knowledge of social anthropology to a high level of specialization within a short time. It is a demanding course that enables students to develop their knowledge of social anthropology to a high level of specialization within a short time. It is designed for postgraduate students who have a strong background in Social Anthropology, either on its own or as part of a joint degree; and who want to engage directly and more deeply than before with debates in contemporary social anthropology. The course provides specialist social anthropological training in a dynamic programme of research-led teaching and professional development.
In addition to individual supervision to support their dissertation and essay writing, students attend a core course seminar and seminars on specialist modules. The core course covers contemporary themes and concerns in social anthropology as well as professional and skills development. Specialist modules cover research methods and themes related to staff research interests, with topics that vary each year. A provisional list of planned modules can be found on the Department's website.
Students will develop a critical and well-informed understanding of the discipline of social anthropology that they can use as the foundation for focussed individual research, building their capacity for social anthropological research in academic and other professional contexts. For those who intend to go on to doctoral work the course will help them to acquire the requisite research skills and to prepare a well-planned and focussed PhD proposal.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the course will have developed a deeper knowledge of key problems in anthropological theory, interpretation, comparison and analysis in relation to ethnographic practice and debates in anthropological literature. They will have formed a critical view of a range of anthropological theories, and the application of those theories to bodies of ethnographic data, and acquired a conceptual understanding and critical perspective that enables the evaluation of current research and methodologies in the discipline.
The course offers training in the following transferable skills:
- ability to engage with and undertake critical analysis of complex issues;
- ability to write for both a general and an academic audience;
- ability to engage constructively in discussion in groups in which many different views are held, often passionately; and
- ability to design and undertake hands-on research. This includes training in: archival review of literature; ethnographic research methods; analysis of results; and skills in research proposal preparation and presentation.
Students are also encouraged to use the range of training and developmental opportunities available across the University, including training on research methods through Cambridge Research Methods, careers advice through the Cambridge University Careers Service and language learning through the Language Centre, including Academic English.
Continuing
Continuation to the PhD is usually subject to the following:
- Acceptance of an application for continuation by the PhD Committee
- An overall mark of at least 73 in the MPhil is normally required for continuation to the PhD
Applicants intending to continue to the PhD programme should state so in their statement of purpose, as well as making a separate application to the PhD course within the application period; continuation is not automatic and those wishing to continue must make a full application. Acceptance for the MPhil does not guarantee that you will be accepted for continuation to the PhD course.
Open Days
The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:
- Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.
- Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.
For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.