Dunedin,
New Zealand
Type
Public
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
PhD in Anthropology in Porirua New Zealand | University of Otago
University of Otago
|
Porirua New Zealand
Visit institution website
for more information
Qualification
Doctor of Philosophy
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
NZD
39,497
(c. USD23,063.56)
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
36 months
Social Anthropology examines how culture shapes human societies. By investigating communities different from our own—regardless of the researcher's background—anthropologists uncover fascinating variations in global lifestyles. At Otago, you'll find diverse and thought-provoking Social Anthropology courses covering Pacific cultures, friendship dynamics, family structures, economic anthropology, life transitions, mortality studies, medical anthropology, sexuality, political culture, spiritual beliefs, and anthropological methodologies.
This discipline equips you with scholarly approaches to build authentic relationships across cultures. You'll develop ethical engagement strategies and learn to interpret social phenomena through rigorous inquiry and analytical thinking.
Career pathways
A Social Anthropology degree offers versatile training for numerous professions. Students gain proficiency in highly valued competencies including analytical reasoning, information evaluation, research methodology, ethical awareness, creative problem-solving, organizational leadership, and multimedia communication skills.
Graduates pursue roles in cultural institutions, governmental policy development, community initiatives, law enforcement, and NGO program leadership, including international volunteer organizations.
Additional career options span media production, diplomatic services, humanitarian work, education, travel industry, refugee support, crisis response, corporate leadership, heritage conservation, social evaluation studies, and ecological stewardship—with virtually limitless possibilities.
Specialized anthropology careers in academia, museum curation, consulting, and applied research are also available, typically requiring advanced postgraduate qualifications following undergraduate studies.
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 6.5
Qualification Requirements
Admission to the degree programme shall be subject to the approval of the Senate. Note: Applications may be made at any time. Applications must be approved before the candidate begins the research work.
Every candidate must be a university graduate and produce evidence of ability to undertake research in the area of proposed study. Such evidence shall include:
a Bachelor's degree with first or upper second class Honours (with an average grade in Honours papers at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago) or equivalent (including a research component with an average grade at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago), or
a Master's degree (with an average grade at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago) (including an appropriate research component worth at least a quarter of a year's workload (0.25 EFTS), with a grade at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago), or
appropriate research experience, and
for candidates including a nominated creative component for assessment, demonstrated advanced training or experience in a relevant creative practice.
A candidate for a Master's degree may apply to transfer to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, and may have the date of admission backdated as is considered appropriate.
Initial admission to the degree programme shall normally be provisional, and shall be confirmed on receipt of a supervisory agreement and a satisfactory progress report after no less than six months and no more than 12 months of full- or part-time study.
If admission to the degree programme is not confirmed, then either provisional admission may be extended for one period of up to six months or the candidate shall be required to withdraw or to enrol for another degree. If admission is not confirmed after a period of extension, the candidate shall be required to withdraw or to enrol for another degree.
Notwithstanding regulation 1(b) above, a Medical student who has completed a year of study for the degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours but has not been awarded that degree may be accepted as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and have the date of admission backdated as is considered appropriate. Such a student's programme of study must be approved by both the Board of the Faculty of Medicine and the Graduate Research Committee.
IELTS (Academic) - Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0.
TOEFL iBT - Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21.
Every candidate must be a university graduate and produce evidence of ability to undertake research in the area of proposed study. Such evidence shall include:
a Bachelor's degree with first or upper second class Honours (with an average grade in Honours papers at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago) or equivalent (including a research component with an average grade at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago), or
a Master's degree (with an average grade at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago) (including an appropriate research component worth at least a quarter of a year's workload (0.25 EFTS), with a grade at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago), or
appropriate research experience, and
for candidates including a nominated creative component for assessment, demonstrated advanced training or experience in a relevant creative practice.
A candidate for a Master's degree may apply to transfer to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, and may have the date of admission backdated as is considered appropriate.
Initial admission to the degree programme shall normally be provisional, and shall be confirmed on receipt of a supervisory agreement and a satisfactory progress report after no less than six months and no more than 12 months of full- or part-time study.
If admission to the degree programme is not confirmed, then either provisional admission may be extended for one period of up to six months or the candidate shall be required to withdraw or to enrol for another degree. If admission is not confirmed after a period of extension, the candidate shall be required to withdraw or to enrol for another degree.
Notwithstanding regulation 1(b) above, a Medical student who has completed a year of study for the degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours but has not been awarded that degree may be accepted as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and have the date of admission backdated as is considered appropriate. Such a student's programme of study must be approved by both the Board of the Faculty of Medicine and the Graduate Research Committee.
IELTS (Academic) - Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0.
TOEFL iBT - Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21.
Tuition
NZD
39,497