The PhD is a three-year full-time and five-year part-time programme. You research and write a thesis of a maximum of 100,000 words under the supervision of an academic team. Students participate in the vibrant seminar-culture of the School and have opportunities to meet and interact with researchers who lead major anthropological fields.
The first year includes training in research methodology and, in the case of social anthropology, in the art of writing ethnography. The remaining years involve field or library research and writing up. In general, you work closely with two supervisors throughout your research, although you have a committee of three (including your primary supervisor) overseeing your progress.
We also offer a PhD in Ethnobiology
Although sometimes we have specific PhD research projects such as ESRC-funded CASE awards in which the PhD project has already been specified, most of our research students choose their own research topics. Once you have decided on the nature of your project, you should then contact the member of staff in the School whose expertise and interests most closely match your area of research and ask them if they will act as your supervisor.
You then work with your proposed supervisor on refining your research proposal which provides the starting point for your subsequent research. Usually each student has one supervisor but occasionally particular projects require two supervisors. Sometimes co-supervision is provided by a lecturer in another discipline, such as Film, Sociology, or International Relations, but usually the co-supervisor is another member of the School of Anthropology and Conservation.
Postgraduate research can take place in any subject area that qualified members of the School are able to supervise. For further information, please refer to staff details on our web pages.
Students meet (or, while in the field, make contact) with their supervisor(s) several times over the course of each term. These meetings involve intensive discussion of the way your project is developing, the readings that have been done and that need to be done, and the way field research and writing-up is progressing. There is, in addition to your supervisor(s), a supervisory committee that, while not intensively involved in the routine development of the research, provides backup, ensures appropriate progress, and handles some of the administration.
The University's Graduate School co-ordinates the Research Development Programme for research students, providing access to a wide range of lectures and workshops on training, personal development planning and career development skills.
This programme is one-year full time or two-year part-time. You research and write a thesis under the supervision of one or two academic staff. We have a vibrant research group whose interests stretch across the range of social anthropology.
We also offer an MSc by Research in Biological Anthropology.
Learn more about Anthropology, MA - at University of Kent
Visit course webpageContact University of Kent to find course entry requirements.
International Scholarships
The University of Kent has a long-standing relationship with Chevening, which has successfully placed scholars from all over the world at the university for many years. Kent is proud to be a Chevening partner, and offers three partner scholarships, in addition to the standard Chevening Scholarships. The University of Kent welcomes applications from all Chevening-eligible countries for any one-year taught master’s degree starting in September 2024, based at our UK campuses. Find out how to apply.
For international students starting a postgraduate taught course in September 2024 at one of our UK campuses, we have several scholarships available. Check if you are eligible to apply and get more information on our scholarship's webpages.
Here are Scholarships that might be of particular interest:
Find out what students say about University of Kent
Inspirational teaching - Patrique Tanque from Brazil is studying for a BSc in Forensic Chemistry.
“Choosing Kent was an easy decision. The forensic programmes are ranked among the best in the UK and have a high graduate employment rate.
“The teachers bring fresh ideas and up-to-date materials from real cases to enrich the lectures. They are keen to help out and always make sure we are getting plenty of support.
“I was very fortunate to be awarded an International Scholarship, which meant I could dedicate myself to my studies.”
Academic excellence - Stephanie Bourgeois from France is studying for a BSc in Biochemistry.
“I like the approach to teaching here; academics are happy to answer questions and to interact with students. I find the lectures very motivational, they pique your curiosity and for me the exciting bit is going to the library and pursuing the things you are interested in.
“The lecturers at Kent are excellent. You get to know them well and, as you move through the course, they are able to guide you towards projects, ideas or career paths that they think you will like.”
Specialist research - Sally Gao from China is studying for a PhD in Electronic Engineering.
“I have been very lucky with my supervisor, Professor Yong Yan, who is a world-class expert and the first IEEE Fellow in the UK in instrumentation and measurement.
“Professor Yong Yan has helped me to become a better researcher. I am inspired by his novel ideas and constructive suggestions. Under his supervision, my confidence has grown through such milestones as my first set of experiments, writing my first research paper and attending my first conference.”
There are 507 other courses listed from University of Kent. A selection of these are displayed below:
Accounting and Finance and Economics with a Year in Industry BSc (Hons)
University of Kent
Find out more 
University of Kent main campus location is shown on the map below:
Find out more about studying in the United Kingdom
