Postgraduate research courses in Social Anthropology

PhD

The Department offers a PhD degree in Social Anthropology which is based on a minimum of three years’ full-time study and independent research.

At St Andrews there is an intellectually vibrant and devoted community at postgraduate level, and PhD students form an essential part of this. The programme has a strongly international character, with students from a range of cultural and academic backgrounds. Having been ranked first in both the 2014 National Student Survey of Teaching and the 2014 Guardian ranking of UK universities, the Department has strong theoretical interests and regional expertise across the world along with five internationally recognised research centres.

St Andrews is ranked in the top 3 best places to study anthropology in the UK, and considered the best for anthropology in Scotland, according to the Guardian University Guide 2023. Our Department was also named top in the UK for student experience in the National Student Survey 2022.

For a list of departmental research interests, see the staff profiles.

Master of Studies by Research

For those with sufficient undergraduate experience in Social Anthropology (usually equivalent to a first class BA Hons degree in Social Anthropology), it is possible to apply to enter the Master of Studies (MSt) by Research.

This research degree has no credited taught modules but instead runs solely through individual supervision with a listed member of staff. The Master of Studies is assessed through a 30,000-word dissertation on a topic of the student’s choice, which is assessed by a team composed of an internal and external examiner.

Those interested in this research degree choice should contact the Department before applying in order to discuss the proposal topic and possible supervisor.

This degree runs for one year full time.

Contact

Department of Social Anthropology

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2206
Email: pgpafs@st-andrews.ac.uk

For general information and details of the application process, see the research degree applications page on the University website.

Entry to the PhD programme is normally in September or January and is available on both a full-time and part-time basis.

Admission to the programme requires that you hold a good undergraduate degree, high 2.1 (16.5) or better or its equivalent (e.g. GPA of 3.6 or better on a 4-point scale). The undergraduate degree does not need to be in the discipline of Social Anthropology, but candidates will be advised to take the MRes first if they have insufficient anthropological preparation.

Students who enter the PhD program are required to have sufficient grounding in Social Anthropology by having already taken either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Social Anthropology.

If your first language is not English, you must satisfy the University’s language requirements for entry by submitting a recognised language certificate.
PhD students are given ample opportunity to present and exchange ideas and writing drafts in a host of formal and informal settings. Regular departmental seminars along with reading and writing groups allow postgraduates to discuss and analyse theoretical, methodological and ethical issues pertaining to social anthropology.

They have the opportunity to participate in and organise various conferences and workshops. These often result in publication projects led by postgraduates. There are also possibilities for tutoring in select undergraduate social anthropology and sustainable development modules.

Additionally, MRes, MSt and PhD students take part in the Scottish Training in Anthropological Research (STAR) programme, which brings together researchers from Edinburgh, Aberdeen, St Andrews and Glasgow before and after their fieldwork as part of their continuing education and skill building. In addition to co-hosting international conferences and workshops, STAR also jointly runs two intensive residential training courses in anthropological skills with distinguished international guests providing master classes.
PhD supervision is offered across a diverse range of theoretical interests and topics. Prospective PhD candidates have typically taken on projects that are daring, explorative and creative, yet nevertheless require intensive ethnographic fieldwork.

As well as supervising projects linked to research centres, the Department especially invites project submissions for work on:
- urban anthropology
- migration
- visual anthropology
- postcolonial institutions
- anthropology and literature
- anthropology and history
- new media cultures
- apprenticeship
- craftwork and material culture
- economic anthropology
- energy and climate change
- Christianities
- mining
- anthropology of ethics
- health and disease.
Other regional strengths include a strong focus on African societies, Britain and Europe, and central and inner Asia.

For a list of departmental research interests, see the staff profiles.

Funding

The offer of a University place to undertake study or research does not carry with it the guarantee of financial support. You will be required to support yourself or to apply to a grant-awarding body.

Departmental scholarships

The Department of Social Anthropology grants a number of scholarships for doctoral students each academic year. These will cover fees or subsistence or make a contribution towards both. Students wanting to be considered for these scholarships must have submitted a complete application for a place in the Department’s doctoral program by April 30^th. They should also write via email to Dr Daniel Knight, Director of Postgraduate Research, stating their desire to be considered for this funding by the same date. Please note that this is a firm deadline and that scholarship applications after this date will not be considered.

Global PhD in Social Anthropology

The University of St Andrews offers Global PhD scholarships funded by St Leonard's Postgraduate College to exceptional students who wish to undertake research at both St Andrews and a nominated partner institution and with two (or more) academic supervisors. To discuss a potential co-tutelle degree, please contact the Global Office.

St Andrews scholarships

The University offers some scholarships to research students. Please check the Scholarships page for additional details.

External funding opportunities

The Postgraduate Studentships website has a comprehensive searchable database of funding opportunities.
The Scholarship Times website provides a comprehensive searchable database of international funding opportunities.
The British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES) offers both research student awards and Masters scholarships, chiefly for students from the UK and the EU. Students should apply both to BRISMES and to the University of St Andrews, clearly marking their desire to be recommended for this scholarship.

For more information please email Dr Daniel Knight, Director of Postgraduate Research.

Student video diary

The life of a PhD Social Anthropology student at the University of St Andrews.