MA Anthropology and Film & Visual Culture
About this course
MA in Anthropology and Film & Visual Culture, a joint undergraduate degree exploring human societies, cultural diversity, and the history and practice of the moving image. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Communication & Writing. Students may optionally undertake a year abroad as part of their studies. The first year introduces global peoples, questions of diversity, and film analysis through compulsory study. The second year focuses on core debates and colonialism from an anthropological perspective. Year three examines advanced anthropological theory alongside optional modules covering emotion, indigenous rights, and political systems. The final year requires a choice of independent dissertation formats, including options for fieldwork or a practical film project, complemented by specialized subject choices.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBC IB: 32 points including 5, 5, 5 at HL. SL in English is also required. SQA Highers: BBBB. BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: DMM in related subjects. Note: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Subsidiary Diploma) achieved at Distinction level, is normally acceptable in lieu of one A Level at grade B.) GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes. Irish Leaving Certificate: Five subjects at Higher at H3.
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What students say
Based on about 15 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 95%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 19 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 40%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- London: 10%
- Scotland: 80%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Modules
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen
- Introduction to Anthropology: Peoples of the World
- Introduction to Anthropology: Questions of Diversity
- Introduction to Film and the Cinematic Experience
- Academic Writing for Social Sciences
- Key Debates in Anthropology
- Reimagining Colonialism
- Anthropological Theory
- Emotion, Self and Society
- The Political Anthropology of Indigenous Rights
- More Than Human
- Comparative Constitutional Systems
- Roads, Mobility, Movement, Migration
- Anthropological Research Methods and Project Design
- Anthropology of the North
- Dissertation in Film & Visual Culture
- Dissertation in Anthropology By Scholarship
- Dissertation in Anthropology By Fieldwork
- Roads, Mobility, Movement, Migration
- Anthropology of the North
- Emotion, Self and Society
- The Political Anthropology of Indigenous Rights
- More Than Human
- Politics and Society in the Middle East
- Ethnography
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Anthropology and Film & Visual Culture at University of Aberdeen earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £25,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £32,500. The £25,500 median after five years is £5,000 less than the UK median for Anthropology.
What do graduates of MA Anthropology and Film & Visual Culture at University of Aberdeen do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Anthropology and Film & Visual Culture at University of Aberdeen?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Anthropology and Film & Visual Culture at University of Aberdeen?
The typical offer is BBC at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 155 UCAS points.
Does MA Anthropology and Film & Visual Culture at University of Aberdeen include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Anthropology and Film & Visual Culture at University of Aberdeen?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.