PhD Social Anthropology with Visual Media / Careers

Year of entry: 2024

Career opportunities

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help support you with your goals for the future .  

Many graduates have gone on to academic posts involving an audio-visual dimension. Whilst a number of these have been in the UK, others have been further afield, in countries as diverse as China, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Estonia and Norway. Visit our careers and employability page for a list of career destinations of our recent PhD graduates.   

The bonds established between students as a consequence of the collaborative teaching methods on this programme, usually carry over into post-graduation life. Due to the international nature of the student body, these links reach all over the world.  

The programme offers access to training in visual and audio methods and ethnographic documentary film-making, a genre that has a direct relevance to a university career in social or cultural anthropology, it also equips you in a broad range of transferable skills that are applicable to a variety of careers, including:

  • the development of team-working and presentation skills;
  • interpersonal skills required to carry out ethnographic fieldwork; 
  • an awareness of the legal and ethical issues raised by this research activity. 

You will have access to a dedicated Researcher Development Team who will support your professional development throughout your PhD journey and beyond.  

Our researcher development programme will enable you to become more aware of your developing researcher identity, equipping you with the skills you need during your PhD and preparing you to integrate into the researcher community.   

We offer training sessions to build your skills and confidence in writing and presenting, with specific sessions on viva preparation, thesis submission and preparing for your Review Panel.   

You'll also have access to a range of workshops, covering areas such as:

  • increasing research impact through blog posts; 
  • making the most of social media;   
  • publishing in journals;  
  • applying for fellowships;  
  • designing academic posters; 
  • improving time and self-management.  

In addition, our Humanities training hub gives you additional training opportunities in public engagement, wellbeing, language training and teaching, alongside more specialist courses in tools and software such as Python, R and NVivo.   

methods@manchester is an initiative that gives you the chance to learn from the very best in research methods expertise at Manchester and beyond. Regular talks, workshops and other methods-related events are organised throughout the academic year.   

Finally, taking a placement provides a great opportunity to engage in knowledge exchange and to develop professional networking opportunities for your future career development.  

We have established programmes with a small number of institutions around the world, offering you the opportunity to visit another institution, access research resources and experience another academic culture as well as build professional networks. Successful applicants will receive some funding towards travel expenses, accommodation, subsistence, education materials and/or other education-related costs.   

Learn more about Research training and professional development .