Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Master of Arts (Social Anthropology) is designed for students who want to develop advanced knowledge and research capability in social anthropology.
• Students investigate contemporary debates in social anthropology and can develop an issue that interested them during undergraduate study into an independent research project.
• The programme provides exposure to ethnographic and fieldwork approaches to understanding cultural differences and societies.
• Massey staff and students conduct research in regions including Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Africa and Aotearoa New Zealand, providing an international and comparative research environment.
• Students can choose between a coursework pathway leading to a research report and a research pathway leading to a substantial thesis.
• The qualification can be completed in 3 semesters full-time, making it a relatively intensive postgraduate research-oriented programme.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The qualification is parts-based. Students must complete Part One before progressing to Part Two, and grades from the first 60 credits determine eligibility for progression.

Part One – Coursework Pathway

Students complete 120 credits.

The compulsory theoretical/research component includes a choice of 60 credits from:

• 146701 Contemporary Approaches in Anthropological Theory – 30 credits
  • Current theoretical issues and debates in social anthropology.
• 230707 Social Science Research Design and Practice – 30 credits
  • Advanced social-science research methodology, epistemology, data generation, analysis and research ethics.

Students may also choose:

• 146707 Reading and Writing Ethnography – 30 credits
  • Contemporary ethnographies and development of students' own ethnographic writing practices.
• 146708 Anthropology Today: Current Issues – 30 credits
  • Current issues, topics and debates in social anthropology.

Part Two – Coursework Pathway

Students complete:

• 146873 Research Report – 60 credits
  • Supervised independent study resulting in a research report.

Part One – Research Pathway

The research pathway comprises 60–90 credits in Part One, followed by the thesis component.

Part Two – Research Pathway

Students choose a 90- or 120-credit thesis:

• 146816 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 – 60 credits
• 146817 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 – 60 credits
• 146881 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 – 45 credits
• 146882 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 – 45 credits

The thesis involves supervised independent research resulting in a substantial scholarly work.

Progression Requirements

Progression from Part One to Part Two is subject to academic performance:

• Coursework pathway: minimum B grade average in the first 60 credits.
• Research pathway: minimum B+ grade average in the first 60 credits.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The programme's specialisation is:

• Social Anthropology

The subject focuses on areas such as:

• Anthropological theory
• Ethnography
• Cultural difference
• Social and cultural change
• Qualitative and social-science research
• Research methodology
• Research ethics
• Contemporary anthropological debates
• Independent anthropological research
• Thesis/research-report development

Programme Highlights

• 180-credit Master of Arts.
• 3-semester full-time completion option.
• 3-year normal part-time completion.
• Auckland, Manawat? and distance/online study options.
• Coursework and research pathways.
• Advanced study of anthropological theory and contemporary debates.
• Dedicated research-methods training.
• Ethnographic writing option.
• Independent 60-credit research report option.
• 90- or 120-credit thesis options.
• International research environment covering Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Africa and New Zealand.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies a broad range of career destinations for MA Social Anthropology graduates, including:

• Human rights and social justice
• Social work
• Social and commercial research
• Education
• Business and industry
• Government, diplomacy and policy
• Foreign affairs
• Overseas aid and development
• Healthcare
• Non-profit management
• Marketing
• Publishing
• Environmental issues
• Museum curation
• Art and heritage
• Tourism.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current programme is a 180-credit MA.
• Students must complete Part One before progressing to Part Two.
• The first 60 credits determine eligibility for progression.
• A B average is required for the coursework pathway.
• A B+ average is required for the research pathway.
• Not all courses are offered every semester.
• Thesis students must enrol in the two relevant thesis parts sequentially.
• If a thesis is not submitted at the end of the initial Part Two enrolment, further enrolment and fees are required until submission.
• Applicants with previous Massey BA (Hons) or PGDipArts study in the intended subject may apply for credit toward Part One.
• International applicants should provide official transcripts from all other universities attended.
• Massey recommends international applicants apply at least three months before their intended start date.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students who physically study in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of tuition-fee payment, or an approved arrangement to pay.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds.
• Evidence of acceptable insurance.
• Evidence of outward travel or sufficient funds to purchase onward travel.
• Meeting health, character and genuine-intention requirements where applicable.