Master of Arts
MA Visual Anthropology
Due to high demand for this course, we operate a staged admissions process with multiple selection deadlines throughout the year, to maintain a fair and transparent approach.
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Overview
Course overview
- Study a master’s in Visual Anthropology at a university ranked top 10 in the UK and top 25 worldwide (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).
- Benefit from exclusive resources in the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology , which is widely recognised as the world’s leading centre for visual anthropology and sensory media including access to professional filmmaking equipment, editing suites and audio-visual technicians.
- Gain practical training in filmmaking, editing, visual methods, photography, sensory ethnography and sound. Our graduates include Oscar-nominated and award-winning filmmakers, highlighting our legacy of producing highly skilled trailblazers.
- Join a department that was born to break the mould. Founded by trailblazing anthropologists, we have championed a socially engaged, accessible, and high-quality study of anthropology from day one.
- Set yourself up for a successful career in research (or other routes) on this Economic and Social Research Council and Arts and Humanities Research Council-recognised professional preparation master’s course.
Open days
On this day, you will learn more about the School, our resources, and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.
For more information, see open days and visits .
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Social Sciences
- Contact name
- School of Social Sciences Admissions Office
- Telephone
- +44 (0) 161 306 5500
- pg-soss@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/social-anthropology/
- School/Faculty overview
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See: School Subjects
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
A UK Honours degree (or overseas equivalent) at 2:1 level in anthropology, sociology, or related social science or humanities subject.
When assessing your academic record we take into account your grades, your academic references, and the standing of the institution where you studied.
We also welcome:
Applicants with an academic or professional background in media production, such as in film-making, photography and sound-art as well as those coming from an art-making background.
Applicants with professional experience in journalism, social and development work.
English language
Applicants whose first language is not English should meet the following language requirements:
- IELTS Academic test score of 7 overall, including 7 in writing with no further component score below 6.5
- TOEFL IBT 100 with 25 in writing and no further score below 22 in each section. TOEFL code for Manchester is 0757
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 76 overall, with 76 in writing and no further score below 70
Further information on accepted language requirements can be found here .
You are not required to submit an English language certificate at the time of application, however if you are eligible for an offer it will be subject to meeting our English language requirements.
Pre-Sessional English Courses
We will consider applicants who do not meet these scores but you will be required to complete a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Manchester prior to the start of the course.
To be considered for a pre-sessional English language course for this programme we require the following minimum IELTS (Academic) scores:
6 Week Pre-Sessional Course : IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and no more than one sub-skill of 6.0.
10 Week Pre-sessional Course : IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 or above in each sub-skill
If you have not yet completed your current academic study and are interested in studying a pre-sessional course, you must hold an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test certificate to ensure that you are eligible for a separate visa for the English language course.
English language test validity
Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.
Applicants from Majority English-speaking countries
If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country (or have studied for a full bachelor's degree or higher from one of these countries) you may be exempt from submitting further evidence of English language proficiency.
Other international entry requirements
We accept a range of qualifications from across the globe. To help international students, the university provides specific information for many individual countries. Please see our country-specific information page for guidance on the academic and English language qualifications which may be accepted from your country.
Fees and funding
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows:
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MA (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £18,400
International, including EU, students (per annum): £32,000
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
For information on available scholarships please visit: Master’s Fees and Funding
Application and selection
How to apply
Staged admissions
As there is a high demand for our courses we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Due to the competition for places and high quality of applications that we receive, we give preference to students from high-ranking institutions and with grades above our minimum entry requirements.
Please ensure you submit all supporting documentation with your application to avoid a delay in processing.
Applications for 2026 entry:
Stage 1:Application received by 7th December 202 5; Application update by 20th February 2026
Stage 2:Application received by 1st March 2026 ; Application update by 1st May 2026
Stage 3:Application received by 3rd May 2026 ; Application update by 19th June 2026
Stage 4:Application received by 5th July 2026 ; Application update by 31st July 2026
Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date.
Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.
Please note:All places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be reaching capacity or be closed to further applications. We, therefore, recommend that you apply early in the cycle to avoid disappointment.
Tuition fee deposits
If you are successful in receiving an offer, you will be required to pay a tuition fee deposit of £1,000 by the deadline stated in your offer letter to confirm your place. We ask for the deposit as competition for places is high and there is limited availability. The deposit amount is then deducted from your tuition fees when you register on the course.
Course details
Course description
In a world in desperate need of deeper human connection across borders, visual media has never been more powerful. Filmmaking isn’t just how we capture attention. It’s how we spark understanding, shift perspectives, and shape the future.
Our MA Visual Anthropology will empower you to examine the differences and similarities between human behaviours, beliefs, and societies, so we can better understand the essence of what makes us human.
You will study classic and contemporary anthropological debates, and as one of the largest anthropology departments in the UK, there’s no shortage of topics you could cover.
On this course, you’ll learn about cutting-edge ethnographic techniques using film, photography, sound, art and a range of other media, drawing on a bank of fascinating projects produced at the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology . You work will go beyond the classroom, and our graduates have produced more than 500 ethnographic films seen around the world.
Regardless of prior experience, you’ll develop the technical skills you need to produce your own ethnographic media. Hence, our course is the UK’s only Visual Anthropology master’s that is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Arts and Humanities Research Council as a professional preparation master’s.
Throughout your studies you will benefit from personalised support, allowing you to develop transferable skills in research, critical enquiry and creative thinking. You’ll also develop real people skills by engaging directly with your subjects, allowing them to express themselves with unmatched authenticity in their own verbal and physical language. You’ll graduate with the skills and experience you need for a successful career in a variety of sectors.
Special features
A prestigious department
Manchester is one of the world’s best institutions for the study and practice of social anthropology. Our staff conduct research all over the world – from Everest to the Arctic and from Rio de Janeiro to Manchester – and teach from their specialist knowledge.
Real-world impact
We put theory into practice. Our students and academics are making a difference on the global stage across multiple sectors. For example, our research provided crucial insight at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to British Nuclear Fuels on the decommissioning of nuclear power plants, and to anti-racist organisations and artists in Latin America.
A powerhouse of creativity
Manchester is a creative, dynamic and cosmopolitan city noted for being home to the MediaCity, the UK’s leading hub for media, creativity and innovation. We have unparalleled links to industry in Manchester and beyond, allowing you to follow your own career ambitions.
Teaching and learning
This course is taught by an interdisciplinary team using a variety of delivery methods:
- lectures;
- workshops;
- student-led presentations and debate;
- group work;
- individual research.
Coursework and assessment
Most course units are assessed by 3,000-word essay, or by a film project.
Part-time students
Part-time students complete the full-time course over two years. There are no evening or weekend course units available on the part-time course.
Course unit details
A master’s degree is formed of 180 credits.
120 of these credits are made up by a mix of mandatory and optional course units, worth between 15 and 30 credits each. You will need to select between four and eight of these course units, with 60 credits taken each semester. The availability of individual optional course units may be subject to change. Information that is sent to you in August about registration onto the course will clearly state the course units that are available in the academic year ahead.
Your core units will give you practical training in film-making, directing, camera work and editing, as well as insights into film and anthropological theory.
Core units include:
- Elemental Media: Documentary and Sensory Practice;
- Ethnographic Documentary;
- Beyond Observational Cinema;
- Images, Text, Fieldwork;
- Anthropology of Vision, Senses and Memory;
- Screening Culture.
The remaining 60 credits are awarded through a compulsory research component in the form of a 12,000-to-15,000-word dissertation. Your dissertation must be within the area of one of the course units you have chosen.
Your dissertation research is supported by weekly research methodology lectures designed to improve your academic and legal research and writing skills.
Part-time students
Part-time students take four out of the five compulsory course units in the first year, and then take the other one in year two. The remaining 60 credits of optional course units are selected and taken accordingly over the two years.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
SOAN60000 | 60 | Mandatory | |
SOAN60992 | 15 | Mandatory | |
SOAN70121 | 30 | Mandatory | |
SOAN70142 | 30 | Mandatory | |
SOAN70452 | 15 | Mandatory | |
SOAN70591 | 15 | Mandatory | |
SOAN70771 | 15 | Mandatory | |
SOAN70142 | 30 | Optional | |
SOAN70143 | 15 | Optional | |
SOAN70811 | 15 | Optional |
What our students say
Discover why our students chose our MA in Visual Anthropology and what they loved about their time at Manchester – take a look at our student spotlights .
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
The University of Manchester is one of the most targeted universities by the UK’s top graduate employers (High Fliers, The Graduate Market Report 2024).
Our MA Visual Anthropology graduates have produced more than 400 ethnographic films, seen around the world. Some have gone on to direct TV series such Tribe, Horizon and BBC and C4 Documentaries.
Throughout your studies, you’ll develop transferrable skills relevant to interesting and rewarding careers outside of filmmaking, including:
- journalism;
- education;
- working for international institutions like the UN;
- business and personnel management.
Another popular option is to continue specialising for a career in research and universities through a PhD in Social Anthropology with Visual Media or a similar subject.
The University has its own dedicated, award-winning Careers Service where you can benefit from tailored careers support, practice interviews, CV and application support, job listings for Manchester students, and much more. Better yet, you’ll have access to our Careers Service both during your course and for two years after you graduate, so we know you’re on the right path.
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The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.