MA Visual Anthropology

• Study at the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology which is widely recognised as the world's leading centre for visual anthropology and sensory media. 
• Learn from elite academics at one of the UK’s top 5 universities for social sciences (Times Higher Education, 2024).
• Interrogate what it means to be human, while receiving practical training in filmmaking, editing, visual methods, photography, sensory ethnography and sound.
• Enhance your employability on an ESRC and Arts and Humanities Research Council recognised professional preparation master’s.

Our Visual Anthropology master’s course will empower you to examine differences and similarities between cultures, so we can better understand the essence of what makes us human.

Visual methods are ideal for anthropology because they invite people who participate in our projects to express themselves in their own verbal and physical language, enabling researchers to present their findings with unmatched authenticity.

On this course, you’ll learn about cutting-edge ethnographic techniques using art, film, photography, music and a range of other media, drawing on a bank of fascinating projects produced at the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology.

Regardless of prior experience, you’ll develop the skills you need to produce your own ethnographic films. Hence, this is the UK’s only visual anthropology course that is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Arts and Humanities Research Council as a professional preparation master’s.

Full entry requirements

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

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.

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