Postgraduate Study in Anthropology
The Department of Anthropology at Macquarie has a strong focus on postgraduate study and promotes both vocationally-oriented degrees and innovative student research.
A number of options for postgraduate study in Anthropology are available and fall into two broad categories: research and coursework.
Research Degrees
Research degrees are offered at both the PhD and MPhil (Master of Philosophy) level. The primary purpose of research degrees is the production of an original research-based thesis. Examination is by thesis only. Students are supervised by one or more members of staff with expertise in the area of research. Co-supervision with academics in other departments, or other institutions is also possible.
All PhD, and most MPhil, projects in Anthropology involve extended participant-observation fieldwork. Students have the opportunity to spend extended periods of time living with the people they are studying in order to develop an intimate understanding of their way of life.
'Non-traditional' projects, such as those involving video, artworks or other creative products, such as novels, are also possible.
A number of scholarships for both local and international students are available. More information can be found on the Higher Degree Research Unit webpage. International students should consult the International Office website.
Learn more about Anthropology research degrees.
Coursework
Coursework options are available through the Applied Anthropology Program, which includes qualifications at the Masters, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate levels. Coursework programs are structured in a similar way to undergraduate study, made up of units (subjects) on specific topic areas.
Although classified as a coursework degree, the Master of Applied Anthropology has a substantial research component. Students complete a 20,000-word thesis based on their own research. This allows students to develop a greater level of expertise in their area of interest as well as developing important researching and research report-writing skills. This substantial research component also means that the MAA may serve as a stepping stone to higher research degrees in Anthropology, such as MPhil or PhD.
New in 2007
Beginning in 2007 the Department of Anthropology, in conjunction with the Department of Human Geography, will offer a new coursework degree, the Master of Development Studies and Culture Change (MDevCult). A Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate in this field will also be offered. Unlike the Master of Applied Anthropology, the MDevCult will be made up entirely of coursework units. More information about this degree will appear on this site soon. For more information contact Jovan Maud (jmaud@scmp.mq.edu.au; +61-2-9850 8095).
Learn more about the Master of Applied Anthropology.
Graduate Diploma in Anthropology
If you already have a degree but have insufficient anthropology and/or other social sciences to qualify for one of the above-mentioned postgraduate programs, you might like to consider doing a Graduate Diploma in Anthropology. This Diploma is made up of undergraduate units and provides sufficient experience in anthropology for entry into the Master of Applied Anthropology, Master of Development Studies and Culture Change, or (with a sufficient GPA) Honours program.