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MPhil - Master of Philosophy
University of Oxford
Full Time
OCT-25
21 months
Select a course option
MPhil - Master of Philosophy
University of Oxford
Full Time
OCT-25
21 months
Select a an exam type
About the course
Social anthropology considers people, through and through, as social beings. Everything that all of us do, in whatever society or culture at whatever period of history, rests on assumptions, which usually are not stated but which are largely shared with our particular neighbours, kin, friends, or colleagues.
Everything social is open to question, including solidly held beliefs and attitudes and ideas about causality, the self in society, and nature and culture. Learning to relate different versions of the world to each other is learning to be a Social Anthropologist and is what we hope you will learn over the course of your degree.
The MPhil in Social Anthropology aims to provide a solid background in analytical and methodological issues as they apply to social anthropology and allows you to develop an extended research project, which may involve fieldwork. It is intended both as a standalone degree and as a broader and deeper preparation for Doctoral research than is possible with the MSc in Social Anthropology.
Assessment
The MPhil is examined in two stages, the MPhil Qualifying stage (MPQ), completed in the first year, and the MPhil Examination, in the second year. Assessment in the first year is by coursework as well as timed unseen examination, completed by the end of June. The core courses are assessed by both 5,000-word essay and by sat exam; some option courses are assessed by essay and/or review (5,000 words total), others by sat exam. The second stage consists of examination of your second-year option course, a 5,000-word essay, and your MPhil thesis of 30,000 words, completed in June of the second year. You receive support from your tutors in devising a viable thesis project, including discussion of relevant literature, questions of methodology and research implementation.
Graduate destinations
Research and teaching, though this often requires a doctorate, recruitment to public bodies, the larger private companies, development agencies, NGOs etc.
As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the equivalent of the following UK qualifications or their equivalent: a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any discipline. Under the UK system, applicants should have a minimum of 65% in at least one prior degree. For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.
Students living in
Domestic
£23,930 per year
Students from Domestic
This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
£39,040 per year
Students from EU
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.
£39,040 per year
Students from International
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.
SOAS University of London
