Postgraduate Research Degrees in Anthropology
- Admission & Candidature
- Student Research & Thesis
- Supervision
- Fees
- Scholarships
- Fundings
- Rooms, Space & Facilities
- How to Apply
- Enquiries
- Links
Admission & Candidature
| PhD | ||
|---|---|---|
Admission requirements: |
MPhil,
or the degree of Master with a substantial research component*; or
the degree of Bachelor with an equivalence of first or second-class
honours division 1. |
|
Length of candidature: |
2-4 years full-time, 4-8 years part-time# |
|
| MPhil | ||
|---|---|---|
Admission requirements: |
A Bachelor degree with
a minimum of second-class honours equivalence and a demonstrated capacity
to undertake research.
|
|
Length of candidature: |
1-2 years full-time; 2-4 years part-time# |
|
A major in social/cultural anthropology is generally expected, though in some circumstances students with other disciplinary backgrounds are accepted into anthropology research degree programs.
* Generally a research thesis of at least 15,000 words, and worth at least 25% of the program load.
# Note: Visa regulations require all international students resident in Australia to be enrolled full-time throughout their candidature.
Student Research & Thesis
Most student research projects in Anthropology involve extended participant-observation fieldwork. Students have the opportunity to spend extended periods of time living with, or otherwise closely engaged with, the people they are studying in order to develop an intimate understanding of their way of life.
Examination in both degrees is by thesis only. 'Non-traditional' PhD or MPhil projects, such as those involving video production, artworks or other creative works, such as novels, are also possible. Please contact the Postgraduate Convenor for more information.
PhD
Word limit: maximum 100,000 words.
The program includes the presentation of a thesis embodying the results of the student's work. The thesis for a PhD must form a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and afford evidence of originality by the discovery of new facts or the exercise of independent critical power.
Field research is normally undertaken for a period of 1-2 years in the PhD and may involve more than one fieldtrip. More information on the PhD program.
MPhil
Word limit: 50,000 words
The thesis must form a contribution to the knowledge in the area with which it deals by presenting new interpretations of facts or by demonstrating an independent critical ability to evaluate existing material in a new light.
Research for an MPhil may be carried out either by library and archival research, or by fieldwork, or by a combination of these. If fieldwork is to be carried out no longer than six months is recommended. Therefore the scope of the research should be determined by these limits. More information on the MPhil program.
Supervision
A candidate's program of study must be supervised by a member of the fulltime academic staff of the University, or an approved part-time member of academic staff, and will normally be carried out within the University. There is, however, provision for a candidate to be permitted to carry out much of the program outside the University as an external candidate. In this case the place of study, method of supervision and periods of attendance at the University must be approved by the University.
Fees
Both PhD and MPhil are offered to local (Australian and New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents) under the Research Training Scheme (RTS).
International students are subject to the current International Fee Rate ($18,500 p.a. for 2006/7).
Click here for more information on fees.
Scholarships
Scholarships
A number of scholarships are available to support both local and international research students. It should be noted that is NOT necessary to have a scholarship in order to enrol in a research degree.
Local students may apply for Australian Postgraduate Awards (APAs) and other scholarships. For more information, see the Higher Degree Research Unit website.
Scholarships for international students are also available. For more information, see the International Office website.
Fundings
Departmental funding
The Division web site has information on the range of funding opportunities available to SCMP postgraduate research students at http://www.scmp.mq.edu.au/hdr/hdr_management.html
The site provides details of funding made available to the students at the department level. This funding is called Direct Funding of Research Projects and is provided by each department to assist in the costs incurred during the period of research. Amounts differ for PhD or MPhil students.
- PhD students can claim for up to $10,000 during their candidacy.
- MPhil students can claim up to $5,000 during their candidacy.
Thus each anthropology PhD student commencing since semester 2 2006 will have an individual direct funding "account" of $10,000 established for them. These funding accounts will be managed by the Anthropology Department Administrator.
A key point for Anthropology students is that this money can be requested in differing amounts over the course of the candidature. It is expected that comparatively more money will be needed early in the period of research when primary fieldwork is being conducted. You will see from the list of supported categories that a broad range of fieldwork expenses can be covered by this fund.
The money is budgeted on an annual basis so it is required that students work closely with supervisors to develop a detailed plan of how this money will be utilised over a four year period. This budget should anticipate complementing other sources of funding (eg the PGRF for which the student is encouraged to apply someway into their research).
While the student is based in Sydney, eligible expenses are usually recouped on the provision of receipts. In planning for fieldwork costs incurred while conducting research outside of Sydney, funds can be taken in advance and then acquitted with receipts upon return (within the same calendar year or within 1 month of return if fieldwork continues into the calendar year after the funds were received). Amounts up to 85% of eligible funds can be taken as an advance in any calendar year for costs incurred during fieldwork or other research related activities.
Please note also that the funds are subject to guidelines and refer to the division site mentioned above for further details.
Other funding
Funding is also provided by the Department, Division and University to cover the expenses associated with fieldwork and other aspects of research. More information on the structure of funding and amounts available can be found on the Division's higher degree website.
There are also external sources of funding, depending on the area of research being undertaken. Where possible these sources should be utilised. Supervisors will give advice as to possible sources of external funds.
Rooms, Space and Facilities
All full time Scholarship holders are entitled to a desk-space in a shared room. Other research students will be accommodated wherever possible in shared rooms. Students in the final phase of writing up their thesis who otherwise have no suitable space can apply for access to a dedicated room. Networked PCs with full access to the Library, Internet and other databases are provided. Telephone, photocopying, printing and fax facilities are also provided by the Department.
All students will receive an e-mail address and are expected to access their e-mail regularly, as this is the prescribed method of communication within the Department.
How to Apply
Formal applications are made through the Higher Degree Research Unit. However, prospective should first view the academic staff research interests and profiles to see if appropriate supervision might be available. They should then informally approach potential supervisors and/or the Anthropology Postgraduate Convenor about the possibilities of supervision. Generally prospective applicants will be asked to provide a research proposal, CV and other relevant information by the Postgraduate Convenor and supervisor.
Enquiries
Anthropology postgraduate Research Convenor, Assoc. Professor Christopher Lyttleton: (+61 2 9850 7783).
For postgraduate coursework enquires (Master of Applied Anthropology, Master of Development Studies and Culture Change), contact the coursework coordinator, Jovan Maud ( +61 2 9850 8095).
Links
Division of Society, Culture, Media and Philosophy’s information page for research students.