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. The Department has strong theoretical interests and regional expertise across the world along with five internationally recognised research centres and is consistently ranked as one of the best places to study anthropology in the UK.

The Times University Guide 2025 - top in the UK
National Student Survey 2025 - second in the UK
The Guardian University Guide 2025 - fourth in the UK

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: pafsresearch@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).

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. Applicants will be advised to take the MRes first if they have insufficient anthropological preparation.

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.
All PhD study is co-supervised in line with University and funding body requirements. Applicants should contact a suitable primary supervisor with a research proposal and CV in the first instance and obtain agreement in principle, and then identify and contact a suitable co-supervisor. Admissions decisions will be conditional to suitable supervision being available in the department at the discretion of the Postgraduate Research Committee. The primary supervisor must provide a brief statement of support as a part of the application.

In addition to CV, references and transcripts, applicants must also submit a 5-page research proposal including bibliography, a personal statement outlining motivations and departmental fit, and a brief statement of support from their respective supervisors.

The deadline for department applications will be the 30th November 2026.

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

Research 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. An up-to-date overview of various funding schemes can be found on the University’s Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Departmental Scholarships

The Department of Social Anthropology grants approximately 2 scholarships for doctoral students each academic year. These may cover fees or subsistence or contribute towards both. Students who want to be considered for internal and external scholarships must submit a complete application for a place in the Department's doctoral program by November 30th.

All applications by this deadline will be considered for the Departmental scholarships, and no further supporting documentation is required.

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 (globalphds@st-andrews.ac.uk).

St Andrews Scholarships

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

External funding opportunities

Typically, applicants are directed to the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science awards. The Postgraduate Studentships website also has a comprehensive searchable database of funding opportunities.

For admissions or funding related queries, please email Dr Vindhya Buthpitiya, Director of Postgraduate Research (socanthdopg@st-andrews.ac.uk).

Student video diary

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