Medical Anthropology

This one-year course offers a coordinated learning programme in both social and biological anthropological approaches to health and illness. It provides the necessary basis for future anthropological research and an excellent cross-cultural grounding for those aiming to pursue a career in anthropology, global health or other health-related fields.

The MSc consists of four papers which you will take in June, and a 10,000-word dissertation which you will submit in late August. The three core papers, taught across Michaelmas and Hilary Terms, each comprise 16 lectures, three tutorials and one debate. You will also select an option paper, which may have a topical or regional focus, based on your own interests. The core papers are as follows:

• Paper 1: Concepts of disease, illness, health and medicine in global perspective
• Paper 2: Theory and practice of bio-medicine and of other medical systems
• Paper 3: Critical medical anthropology

There are two core seminar series in medical anthropology, the Fertility and Reproduction Seminars in Michaelmas term and the Medical Anthropology Research Seminars.

The dissertation is an independent piece of work written after the June examinations. Dissertation classes are held over the first four weeks of Trinity term for two hours per week, during which you will be able to present ideas for your dissertation project to colleagues and staff, and a maximum of two individual supervisors.

1. Academic ability

Proven and potential academic excellence

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in any discipline. Under the UK system, applicants should have a minimum of 65% in at least one prior degree.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

2. English language requirement

Higher level

3. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

• Three references (letters of recommendation)
• Official transcript(s) of previous university-level degrees
• CV/résumé
• Personal statement: Around two to three pages
• Written work: Two essays of 2,000 words each

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

• Clarendon Scholarships. This unique scheme offers around 140 new, fully-funded scholarships each year to academically outstanding graduate students, as well as providing a lively and stimulating community of scholars.
• Hill Foundation Scholarships. The Hill Foundation Scholarships fund Russian students to study for full-time graduate courses in any subject at Oxford. The Hill Foundation is a charity which aims to create a community of Oxford scholars and alumni who will work to improve Russian life and culture.The scholarship will cover 100% of University and college fees and a grant for living costs (of at least £14,296). Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed course.