Medical Anthropology MSc
    Go to The University of Edinburgh

    Medical Anthropology MSc

    The University of Edinburgh
    The University of Edinburgh
    United Kingdom
    United Kingdom, Edinburgh
    University Rank:#27
    Go to Official Website
    Duration1 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    GBP 40,528 / year(s)
    Next IntakeSeptember 1, 2026

    Medical Anthropology MSc

    About

    This programme studies health, illness and healing from a cross-cultural perspective.

    With a focus on the understanding of health, illness and medicine in a globalised world, this programme allows you to engage with contemporary debates about old ills and emerging diseases. You will explore both traditional forms of healing and modern medical technologies.

    You will examine key questions in current medical anthropology from the perspective of both medical and social sciences, and address relevant issues, such as:

    • the way encounters between patients and professional healers are negotiated in varied cultural settings
    • the importance of political, economic and historical analysis to an understanding of the body
    • the health-related effects of globalisation

    Medical anthropologists explore a wide range of medical practices, including both performative forms of healing (e.g. shamanism) and the newest biomedical technologies. Medical anthropologists are working in diverse fields:

    • academic research
    • global health organisations
    • health-focused NGOs

    Concepts and methodologies from medical anthropology have become essential in all areas of global health research.

    Our MSc in Medical Anthropology engages students with the field's distinctive approach to health and medicine. It takes students away from the idea that there is only one standardized 'best practice' by showing an astounding diversity of therapeutic methods, ideas of disease causation, healer personalities, and spaces for healing.

    Who this programme is for

    Intended for a diverse range of students, this distinctive and interdisciplinary programme will complement your background in anthropology or health sciences.

    The programme also acts as a conversion MSc for those without training in anthropology who wish to progress to a research career.

    This programme is affiliated with the University's Global Health Academy:

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

    A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

    Students from China

    This degree is Band C.

    International qualifications

    Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

    English language requirements

    Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

    English language tests

    We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

    • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
    • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
    • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
    • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
    • PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
    • Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

    Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

    Degrees taught and assessed in English

    We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

    We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

    If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

    Find out more about our language requirements:

    Career

    You will gain the conceptual and methodological skills to understand contemporary health practices in a wider context of social, political, and economic problems, and be able to work in academic and applied health research.

    The programme also acts as a conversion MSc for those without training in anthropology who wish to progress to a research career.

    In addition, you will develop a range of highly transferable skills, such as communication and project management, which can be applied to roles in any field.

    Our graduates

    Graduates of the programme:

    • went on to work for international organizations and for health think tanks
    • won admission to some of the world's most prestigious Medical Schools (including Harvard and Yale)
    • continued to study for a PhD in Social Anthropology

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    40,528 / year(s)

    Medical Anthropology MSc

    The University of Edinburgh

    The University of Edinburgh

    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom, Edinburgh

    Go to Official Website