Medical Anthropology
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MSc
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Durham City
L6K507
Course details
The MSc in Medical Anthropology offers a unique opportunity to engage with anthropological approaches to the study of health drawing on sociocultural, ecological and evolutionary perspectives. The course provides a strong grounding in ethnographic approaches to the study of health, the political ecology of health and the application of anthropology to contemporary public health concerns, as well as a diverse range of options in areas such as theories of the body and evolutionary medicine.
Our unique biosocial approach to the anthropology of health is one of our key strengths and attracts a wide range of students, contributing to a stimulating and exciting learning environment. An emphasis on developing and applying research skills is also central to our degree. The course is taught by academic researchers from our highly regarded Anthropology of Health Research Group.
Learning
The full-time course runs for a full year, from October to September. Full-time students attend classes between October and December (Michaelmas Term) and January and March (Epiphany), with further assessment in April and May (Easter Term), and then work, under the supervision of a specialist supervisor, to complete your dissertation by September. Core modules introduce the Anthropology of Global Health and Public Health Anthropology and anthropological methods. You can choose to focus on qualitative or quantitative methods or to train in both.
The course is delivered through a mixture of interactive lectures, seminars, practical sessions and workshops, in addition to one-to-one dissertation supervision. Typically, lectures deliver key information on progressively more advanced themes and topics. Seminars provide an opportunity to reflect in more depth upon material delivered in lectures and gathered from independent study outside the course formal contact hours. They give you an opportunity to engage with academic issues at the cutting-edge of research in Anthropology, in a learning environment focused on discussion and debate of current issues.
Full-time students have on average 6-8 hours of formal teaching and learning contact per week, and you are also expected to attend weekly departmental and Anthropology of Health Research Group research seminars, often given by prominent visiting speakers. You also have the opportunity to present your work at the Department’s annual postgraduate conference, and to join activities with other universities, such as our annual advanced medical anthropology workshop with the University of Edinburgh. Outside timetabled contact hours, you are expected to devote significant amounts of time to reading, discussing and preparing for classes, assignments and project work.
Throughout the course, all students meet fortnightly with their degree tutor, who provides academic support and guidance. Furthermore, all members of teaching staff have weekly office hours when they are available to meet with you on a ‘drop-in’ basis, or can be e-mailed to arrange a mutually agreeable time. You will work closely with leading academics to develop an original piece of research for your dissertation, and guidance on your dissertation is also provided by the dissertation leader. Before the academic year starts, we provide information on preparing for the course. On arrival, we have induction sessions, including a field trip and social events, headed by the Director of Postgraduate Studies and the degree tutor for Medical Anthropology. You can also attend an introduction to our departmental research groups, including the Anthropology of Health Research Group.
Entry requirements
A minimum 2:1 Honours degree from a UK institution (or the overseas equivalent) in a relevant subject.
References play an important part in the admissions process.
Fees and funding
Full Time Fees
Home students | £12,000 per year |
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EU students | £25,250 per year |
Island students | £12,000 per year |
International students | £25,250 per year |
Part Time Fees
Home students | £6,600 per year |
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EU students | £13,900 per year |
Island students | £6,600 per year |
International students | £13,900 per year |
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.
Find out more about Scholarships and BursariesCareer opportunities
Anthropology
Students with a postgraduate qualification in Anthropology pursue a diverse array of careers in areas such as conservation, tourism, public health, health research and management, captive primate care and zoological research management, local government research and management, education (secondary, further and higher), social care, social research, in addition to academia.
For further information on career options and employability, student and employer testimonials and details of work experience and study abroad opportunities, please visit our employability pages.
Department information
Anthropology
Anthropology at Durham is now one of the largest integrated anthropology departments in the UK, carrying out cutting-edge research across social and evolutionary anthropology, and the anthropology of health.
For more information see our department pages.
Rankings
- Top 30 in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2022
- Top 5 in The Complete University Guide 2023
Staff
For a current list of staff, please see the Anthropology pages.
Research Excellence Framework
- 45% of our research was rated as world-leading (REF 2021)
Facilities
The Department of Anthropology hosts a range of state-of-the-art research facilities that are used and run by academic members of staff and their postgraduate students. Given our commitment to research-led teaching, undergraduates and taught postgraduates frequently conduct research projects using these facilities.
More information on our facilities and equipment.
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