MPhil/PhD Visual Anthropology

Program Overview

Goldsmiths' MPhil/PhD in Visual Anthropology focuses on research projects that utilize visual methodologies or explore visual cultures. Students receive practical training and supervision in a wide range of areas, with a focus on the visual as a vital factor in their research. The program culminates in a written dissertation and a portfolio of multimodal work, assessed through a viva voce examination.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Objectives:

• Conduct research in visual anthropology, focusing on various forms of media representation or art.
• Utilize specific visual methodologies as a central feature of your research project.
• Emphasize the visual as a vital and defining factor in the overall research project.

Program Description:

• Goldsmiths' Department of Anthropology offers supervision in a wide range of areas at the MPhil and PhD levels.
• Two main strands: research projects focused on visual cultures and those utilizing visual methodologies.
• Additional practical training provided, alongside access to audio-visual equipment and facilities.
• Requires an appropriate level of practical visual production skills and a degree of self-sufficiency in this area.
• Current MPhil/PhD students are conducting visual projects in various countries, including Mexico, India, Argentina, Lebanon, Israel, and the UK.

Outline:

First Year:

• Induction week before the academic term begins, including introduction to College and departmental facilities, training sessions, and presentations of current research.
• Expected to take or audit taught courses in the department and across Goldsmiths, including research training provided by the Graduate School.
• Training includes Research Design, Doing Ethnography, Visual Anthropology Training (MPhil/PhD Visual Anthropology only), Core Qualitative Research Methods, and Modelling Social Data I.
• Identify additional modules, such as language learning or auditing an MA course, relevant to your research project.
• Encouraged to attend seminars, conferences, and outside modules organized by SeNSS or CHASE.
• Progress and outstanding training requirements reviewed annually by the Graduate School in conversation with your supervision team.

Fieldwork, Upgrade to PhD, and Thesis:

• Fieldwork or other data collection typically begins between the summer term of your first year and the start of your second year, requiring ethical clearance during the upgrade process from MPhil to PhD.
• Upgrade involves a "viva" examination based on literature review, detailed project discussion, extended ethics form, and oral examination.
• Expected to complete PhD within three to four years (full-time) or six to eight years (part-time).

Assessment:

• Combination of a written dissertation thesis (40,000-60,000 words) and a portfolio of multimodal work presented as an integrated whole.
• Examined by viva voce.

Other:

• Applicants typically have a first degree or an MA in Social Anthropology.
Qualifying year options available for those lacking these qualifications.
• Department offers various bursaries and awards specific to anthropology.
• PhD students have secured academic positions and employment in NGOs, GOs, research, teaching, and broadcasting across diverse fields and locations.

Annual tuition fees These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year. Home - full-time: £TBC International - full-time: £TBC Additional costs There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme.