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The Cambridge MPhil by Advanced Study in Social Anthropology is an intensive 11-month (October to September) graduate degree programme intended as a conversion course for students with little or no previous training in anthropological methods and perspectives. Students will an anthropological background may be more suited to the MPhil in Social Anthropological Research.

The MPhil provides a wide yet thorough grounding in the theoretical and ethnographic dimensions of the field. The degree can be a free-standing qualification, or a route to the original research involved in a PhD, or a means to acquire knowledge of anthropology for use in other fields and professional contexts.

The course addresses key problems in anthropological theory, interpretation, comparison and analysis, building on in-depth engagement with a wide range of recent and past ethnographies to explore major debates in the field's current concerns.  Through critical reflection on a range of anthropological theories, and through practice in the application of those theories to bodies of ethnographic material, students acquire a thorough grounding in a variety of styles of social anthropological analysis.

For information on graduate supervision and facilities see the Supervision and Facilities page.

Further information about applying to the University, including instructions on how to submit your supporting documents, is available from the Postgraduate Admissions website. All prospective applicants should read the information on the Postgraduate Admissions website carefully prior to applying. To apply, visit the MPhil pages in the Postgraduate Admissions Course Directory.

Applications for each academic year open from mid-September and close on 30 April each year. Applications for funding close early December each year. 

 

Papers offered for 2024-25

Paper 1 Scope of SA I: Production & Reproduction

Paper 2 Scope of SA II: Systems of Power & Knowledge

Paper 3 Option Paper:

Please make clear on your application if you are interested in the Anthropology and Museums or Medical Anthropology options.

Paper 4 (non assessed) Theory, Methods and Enquiry in Social Anthropology

 

 

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