THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF
STUDY 2025/2026
Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change
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THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH |
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| Degree
Programme Specification MSc (Taught) Medical Anthropology |
MSc (Taught) Medical Anthropology |
| To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. This information is created when new programmes are established and is only updated periodically as programmes are formally reviewed. It is therefore only accurate on the date of last revision. |
| Awarding institution: | The University of Edinburgh |
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| Teaching institution: | The University of Edinburgh |
| Programme accredited by: | |
| Final award: | Master of Science |
| Programme title: | Medical Anthropology |
| UCAS code: | |
| Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group(s): | |
| Postholder with overall responsibility for QA: | Dr Stefan Ecks |
| Date of production/revision: | August 2018 |
| Further Information: | View the prospectus entry for this programme |
Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry |
| The MSc Medical Anthropology degree seeks to provide students with research skills that culminates in the writing of a dissertation or extended piece of work based on a placement, independently researched but under the supervision of an academic member of staff. Graduates should be able to demonstrate clearly to prospective employees that they are capable of undertaking independent research projects. |
Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy |
| Graduates of the MSc Medical Anthropology degree should have attained the self-confidence to present themselves as serious social scientists to prospective employees or Universities to which they might apply to do further postgraduate work. They are expected to develop clear intellectual growth and autonomy, and to develop a world-view that they can defend convincingly orally and in writing. |
Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication |
| Graduates of the MSc Medical Anthropology degree are expected to have refined and honed their communications skills, both orally and in writing, by the end of their degree. |
Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness |
| Graduates of the MSc Medical Anthropology degree are expected to have developed skills that allow them to engage confidently and articulately in interpersonal relations. |
Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills |
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Graduates of the MSc Medical Anthropology degree are expected to develop practical research skills in terms of being able to develop answers to complex questions put to them and have practical knowledge of the current role of Europe in international politics. |
Programme structure and features |
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The MSc programme in Medical Anthropology consists of 180 credits at SQCF level 11 (postgraduate). 120 credits are based on assessed coursework, 60 credits are based on the dissertation. For entry, a upper-second level undergraduate degree or its equivalent is required. The MSc/Diploma in Medical Anthropology can be studied either on a full-time or a part-time basis. Full-time: the programme takes 12 months, with six taught courses completed over two semesters, and the dissertation completed between May and August. Part-time: the programme takes 24 months. In the two semesters of the first year, students take three or four courses (which must include the first of the two compulsory core courses; see below) and in the summer begin to think about the subject of their dissertation. In the two semesters of the second year, they take the remaining two or three courses (which must include the second of the two compulsory core courses; see below) and work on their dissertation. Most courses are assessed by an essay of 4,000 words. An exception is 'Anthropology of Health and Healing, PGSP11071', which is assessed by a shorter essay of 1,500 words in October and a long essay of 4,000 words at the end of the course. Satisfactory completion of six 20-credit courses qualifies students to receive the Diploma in Medical Anthropology. Those going on to the MSc degree prepare a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words on a topic agreed with the Programme Director. Candidates for both MSc and Diploma usually take (i) two compulsory courses (Anthropology of Health and Healing, PGSP11071, and Anthropology of Global Health, PGSP11072), (ii) four optional courses. The compulsory courses must be taken by all candidates. The optional courses listed here are indicative only and will be selected depending on the student's interests and prior knowledge of social/medical anthropology. The selection of courses is individually decided in discussion with the Programme Director. With the approval of the Programme Director, students may also take postgraduate courses from other MSc programmes offered by the University. With the exception of the compulsory courses, which also include one-hour weekly tutorials, all courses consist of twenty class-contact hours. |
Teaching and learning methods and strategies |
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and Learning strategies employed at the University of
Edinburgh consist of a variety of different methods. In the Msc Medical Anthropology, teaching is primarily based on lectures and seminars, as well as dedicated tutorials. Course conveners are encouraged to draw on a wide range of innovative teaching methods. Learning takes place through individual reading and reflection, and through group discussion initiated by lectures and student presentations. Students are expected to read extensively in preparation for all seminars and lectures, and to participate fully in the class discussions and/or presentations. From the outset, students must cultivate the study skills required for scholarship at an advanced level ??? using library sources fully, effective note taking, critical analysis and writing. |
Assessment methods and strategies |
| The
assessment strategy for the MSc relies upon a combination
of methods to meet the full range of aims and learning
objectives and draw maximum advantage from the variety of
teaching approaches employed. The assimilation of
knowledge, capacity for critical scrutiny and propensity
for reflective analysis is gauged primarily through
coursework essays. Some courses also employ group based
assessments, requiring joint submissions and evaluating
presentations as well as performance. Formal templates are
used to provide formative and summative feedback.
The main piece of assessed work in the MSc Medical Anthropology is the dissertation, which is 15,000 words long and accounts for one third of the overall mark. Student development towards this will be supported in tutorials and a dissertation workshop. The University of Edinburgh Innovative Learning Week is scheduled in Week 6 of Semester 2. During this week ???normal??? teaching is suspended which provides space outwith the curriculum for staff and students to explore new learning activities. |
Career opportunities |
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Graduates of the Msc in Medical Anthropology gain an advanced understanding of medical anthropology. They can analyze health and healing from a global and cross-cultural perspective. They can take an anthropological approach to health care challenges, both internationally and in the UK. Graduates of the MSc programme went on to work for international organizations; for health think tanks and health care consultancies; won admission to prestigious medical schools; or continued to study for a PhD in Social Anthropology. |
Further information |
