Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology

The University of Oxford's Institute for Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology offers a one-year MSc in Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology. The degree programme explores human thought, behaviour and culture from the perspectives of the evolutionary and cognitive sciences.

Many graduates enter teaching and research, though this often requires a doctorate. There is some recruitment to public bodies, the larger private companies, development agencies, NGOs etc.

Homo sapiens possess remarkable capacities for language, culture, and religion. We are distinguished by our communication, beliefs, rituals, and performance, as well as our intelligence. What are the evolutionary foundations for these characteristics? Are they really as unique to us as we might believe? What is it about our evolution and our resulting cognitive equipment that makes us human?

The MSc in Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology explores human thought, behaviour, and culture from the perspectives of the evolutionary and cognitive sciences. During your first term, you will follow a course on the investigation of biological evolution and cognition and a course on quantitative methods (including statistics and research design).

In your second term you will take a course on the evolution of human behaviour, including biological, cognitive, psychological and comparative perspectives, as well as the mind and culture course, which examines how human conceptual structures inform and constrain cultural expression. You will be assessed by coursework and three three-hour written examinations in the third term.

The MSc concludes with a 15,000-word research dissertation to be completed over the summer months, which is submitted and examined at the end of August. The degree constitutes a programme of study in its own right, as well as serving as a research training degree for those wishing to go on to doctoral research.

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 cognate 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.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

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

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose/personal statement:Around two pages
• Written work:Two essays of 2,000 words each
• References/letters of recommendation: Three overall, all of which must be academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships