Social Anthropology PhD / MA

As a postgraduate researcher in Social Anthropology, you’ll be supported by a supervisory team in a leading department to carry out research and develop skills that will set you on the path to a future career in academia or beyond.

Course structure

Our PhD programmes are normally undertaken in three years full-time or six years part-time, and our Masters-level research programmes are taken in one year full-time or two years part-time. The period of maximum registration for a PhD includes a further year, designated "thesis awaited," which is usually a period of final revisions and more occasional supervision. 

Academics in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology can supervise research projects drawing on archival, ethnographic and/or textual and media sources.

We offer thematic expertise in topics including migration and diasporas, religion and society, economic inequality and insecurity, youth, the urban, popular culture, kinship, gender and sexuality.

Please consult our staff profile pages to identify a suitable lead supervisor before applying.

• Join a Department with a global reputation for research.
• Get involved with a range of activities, from weekly departmental seminars to our frequent international conferences on cutting-edge research topics hosted on campus.
• The Department is home to an energetic and friendly community of anthropologists and Africanists – you'll forge valuable research connections during your time at Birmingham.

Contribute to world-leading research 

You'll join a thriving research community and benefit from the interdisciplinary expertise of scholars in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology.

The Department was ranked second among all Area Studies departments in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise 2021 based on Grade Point Average, according to Times Higher Education, with 100% of published research deemed "world-leading" or "internationally excellent". 

• There are no formal lectures or seminars in a PhD or MA by Research (if available). Instead, you’ll undertake research under the expert guidance of a primary supervisor, co-supervisor and mentor, supported by complementary research training.
• Your supervisory team will meet with you at regular intervals throughout your programme to offer guidance on how best to approach, implement and report on your research.
• If you take the distance learning option you’ll receive the same level of support and supervision as on-campus students, but with supervisory sessions taking place online. You'll be funded to make one compulsory visit to the University, enabling you to meet your supervisory team, undertake intensive research skills training and make a start on your doctoral studies.
• You’re expected to take full responsibility for your work, developing your own timetable for your research project so you can successfully complete it on time.

Explore our research themes:

For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area.

If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.

Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements.

If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning.

You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. See the Application Process section for more information.  

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

The same fees apply to both campus-based and distance learning study. The distance learning programme also includes one fully-funded visit to campus in the first year of study.

* For UK postgraduate research students the University fee level is set at Research Council rates and as such is subject to change. The final fee will be announced by Research Councils UK in spring 2025.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Funding options

Apply for a PhD that already has funding attached

These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.

Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship once you have an offer

You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.

A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.

Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership

For 2025 entry Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership is offering up to 87 fully funded PhD studentships for eligible students in arts and humanities through an Open Competition and 23 studentships through Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDA). 

The deadline for AHRC funding applications is 12:00 GMT on 13 January 2025.

Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership 

For 2025 entry Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership offers pathways at the University of Birmingham in:

• Applied Linguistics
• Area Studies
• Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis
• Economic and Social History
• Living in a Digital Society
• Socio-Legal Studies
• Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience 

The deadline for ESRC funding applications is 12:00 GMT on 21 January 2025.

When proposing your own research topic you’ll need to make sure the department offers the necessary expertise. We ask that you identify an appropriate supervisor before you submit your application and contact them in the first instance to discuss your research proposal. 

If there is a good fit between your proposed research and our research strengths, we’ll be able to give you advice on a draft of your research proposal before you make a formal application.

When contacting a member of our staff, it would be helpful to include the following:

• A draft research proposal or a summary of your research ideas
• Details of university-level qualifications and any relevant professional experience
• Details on how you propose to fund your research

Please contact only one member of staff in the first instance. 

Find a supervisor

A summary of our key research areas, and staff working within those, can be found below:

• histories of local and national identities
• Pentecostal Christianity
• labour history
• urban and youth culture
• marginality and exclusion
• economic and political anthropology
• migration and mobility
• sexuality
• gender
• kinship and marriage in society and policy
• education and its legacies
• religious difference in everyday life
• African links with the Islamic world

View our staff profiles

Research proposal

The research proposal is a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.

You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department. 

The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. 

Submitting your application 

If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.

If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

If the programme has a Distance learning option then students will usually attend a residential visit in September or January, and those students wishing to attend the September residential are also encouraged to apply by 1 June 2024. The visit will take place at the end of September/beginning of October and you will receive further details once you have accepted your offer.

If you experience any difficulties with the application process and contacting potential supervisors, please contact us via the "Ask us a question" form above.

When you're ready, return to this page and begin your application by clicking APPLY NOW

Careers Network

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.