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Department

Anthropology
Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies

Length

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

Scholarship information

Funding available

Course overview

This is a pathway of the MA Applied Anthropology & Community and Youth Work, aimed both at international applicants who may not need a British National Youth Agency qualification and those who want to become specialists in community development.

This programme is endorsed by the Endorsement and Quality Standards Board for Community Development.

Why study MA Applied Anthropology & Community Development

  • The three pathways entail different placements but are taught together, providing much opportunity for exchange of ideas and collaboration amongst students.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Martin Webb (Anthropology co-convenor) or Louise Doherty (STaCS co-convenor).

What you'll study

The MA consists of an academic programme of lectures, seminars and tutorial assignments, and practical experience.

Modules are taken over one academic year if you are studying full-time, and two years if you are studying part-time (part-time study only available to home/EU students).

Full-time students attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays and spend the rest of the week on fieldwork placements and library studies.

Part-time students attend on Thursdays in one year and Tuesdays in the other.

Anthropology components

 The Department of Anthropology teaches two of the core components of your degree: Contemporary Social Issues and Anthropological Research Methods.

Module title Credits
Contemporary Social Issues

Contemporary Social Issues

30 credits

This module provides critical perspectives from anthropology and social theory on the contemporary social issues that youth and community work is concerned with. This term we examine each week a ‘keyword’ in social analysis: youth, community, class, race, culture, gender, community, and power. We explore how these categories have, on the one hand, been conceptualised within anthropology and other disciplines and, on the other, how they shape the lives of young people and communities today. In doing so, we draw on anthropological work both ‘at home’ (i.e. in the UK) and in the developing world. We also relate these insights to some policy approaches that have informed youth and community work in recent decades, such as multiculturalism and participation. Overall, the module aims to enable students to gain knowledge of the larger politico-economic and social context of youth and community work; to understand relevant theoretical perspectives; and to engage critically with key concepts that inform youth and community work.

 30 credits
Anthropological Research Methods

Anthropological Research Methods

30 credits

The aims and objectives of this module are to introduce students to the theories and methods of modern anthropology. This module is designed to complement AN71081B Anthropological Theory. In the autumn term you situated current theoretical concerns in anthropology historically and philosophically. This term we will introduce the methods used by anthropologists as well as returning to some key texts from last term and critically analysing the links between theory and methods within.

The module is designed to follow the three stages of writing a report; planning researching and writing up. Over the term we will cover a number of different types of data including surveys, the use of archives, images and film, in-depth interviews, participant observation and participatory research, conflicts of interest, ethical codes, informed consent, and other challenges. Throughout the module you will also be working on your own group research projects and you are encouraged to use this project to relate to the lectures and readings.

 30 credits
Dissertation

Dissertation

60 credits

The dissertation is an extended piece of written work of academic standard, i.e. adequately researched, clearly written, well presented and structured and following academic conventions. It will show that you have an understanding of both theoretical debates in anthropology and relevant ethnography and make convincing use of secondary or library based data. Your project can involve fieldwork and/or archives (primary data that you have collected) as well as your analysis of the relevant secondary sources in anthropology (secondary data that you have consulted).

 60 credits

In addition, we strongly encourage all students, particularly those without a background in anthropology, to sit in on other MA option courses offered by the anthropology department, such as Anthropological Theory, Anthropology of Development, Anthropology of Violence, Anthropology of Art and Anthropology and the Environment.

Fieldwork and placements

The Department of Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies runs the fieldwork modules, which involve placements that, are supported by seminars, lectures, workshops and tutorials.

This MA pathway entails 20 hours of observations and 380 hours of placements, normally focused on national occupational standards in community development, consisting of three placements with at least two different organisations.

The fieldwork and accompanying teaching are divided into three modules:

Module title Credits
Fieldwork Report 1: Perspectives and Approaches

Fieldwork Report 1: Perspectives and Approaches

15 credits

This module focuses students on key themes, principles and values underlying youth work, community development and community arts, enabling students to recognise them in competing approaches and perspectives. This includes consideration of the history, principles and competing models/approaches. Students consider their own values, ideological positions and critically reflect on their own practice perspectives and drill down to consider these in relation to their own professional practice areas. Perspectives specific to faith, voluntary/community sector based practice are analysed and considered in relation to key contemporary policies related to civil society and democratic engagement. The value of experiential learning approaches, critical pedagogy, informal learning and community based approaches are explored alongside group work principles, processes and theories.

 15 credits
Fieldwork Report 2: Critical Practice

Fieldwork Report 2: Critical Practice

15 credits

This module enables students to critically analyse the changing context of professional practice, develop as critically reflective practitioners and learn how to recognise and challenge discrimination and oppression. Youth participation and methods of engaging communities with a view to facilitating ‘empowerment’, along with the ethical dilemmas faced in fieldwork practice are also critically explored.

 15 credits
Fieldwork Report 3: Management, Enterprise and Development

Fieldwork Report 3: Management, Enterprise and Development

30 credits

This module advances student understanding of competing approaches to the management of community and youth work projects, staff and resources. Students learn about sourcing and preparing funding bids, preparing budgets and the issues and processes involved in growing a social enterprise. Students gain a critical understanding of project development, management and evaluation.

 30 credits

All three modules are currently assessed by an essay, documents completed by the student in relation to the placement and community development national occupational standards learning, a report by the placement supervisor and a fieldwork contract form. The final placement also involves an assessment of the observations.

Download the programme specification. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

For 2021-22 and 2020–21, we have made some changes to how the teaching and assessment of certain programmes are delivered. To check what changes affect this programme, please visit the programme changes page.

Entry requirements

You'll need:

  • an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in the social sciences or another appropriate subject, with some experience of community and youth work.
  • at least four months of full-time, or part-time equivalent, work experience prior to starting the MA. We also offer the MA in Applied Anthropology & Community and Youth Work (professionally validated by the National Youth Agency) for applicants with more work experience. Experience can include paid or unpaid work; voluntary, community and youth work in organisations; and relevant informal work. 
  • an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate from the DBS. Please note there will be a fee of £56 for all DBS applications; we will send you further information about payment with your offer. You can find more information about this on our fitness to train pages

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2022/2023 academic year.

  • Home - full-time: £9260
  • Home - part-time: £4630
  • International - full-time: £17460

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

Scholarships

Aziz Scholarship
This programme is eligible for an Aziz scholarship. Find out more about how to apply. 

How to apply

Apply now

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:

  • Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments
  • The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
  • A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online

          Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

  • If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory)
  • A work experience report. The work experience report should be up to 1,000 words about recent personal experience of working or volunteering in a Community and/or Youth Work setting. It should outline this recent work experience, consisting of a brief description of the agency or project, role within the agency, the responsibilities carried and actual work done. You should outline the reflections on learning gained from the work experience. 

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

When to apply

We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September. 

We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place that is conditional on you achieving a particular qualification. 

Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.

If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an earlier application deadline. 

Selection process

Admission to many programmes is by interview, unless you live outside the UK. Occasionally, we'll make candidates an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.

DBS checks

If we make you an offer to study on this programme, we will ask you to complete an application for an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate from the DBS. Please note there will be a fee of £56 for all DBS applications; we will send you further information about payment with your offer. You can find more information about this on our fitness to train pages

Find out more about applying.

Staff

Department of Anthropology

Department of Social, Therapeutic & Community Studies

Careers

Increasing employment prospects are central to this programme.

Our graduates find work directly or indirectly related to the disciplines relatively quickly after graduating, or even while on the programme. The majority of our students gain work in youth work or community work. Examples of recent graduate employment include:

  • Full-time health youth worker for a London Borough, leading on LGBTQ awareness and homophobic bullying
  • Community Centre based youth worker
  • Mentoring and Befriending Co-ordinator at a civil society equalities organisation
  • Community Development Worker in a social work team in Hong Kong

Some seek and gain work in a wide range of other settings, often shaped by the particular interests that they develop during their time with us, such as working with refugees or with disability groups. Others join social enterprises to bid for contracts, join newly developing cooperatives or established NGOs in the UK and abroad.

We have many alumni who have gone on to teaching at university themselves. One of our former students who is now a senior lecturer fed back:

“Studying on the Applied Anthropology, Youth and Community Work Masters provided me with an experience and opportunity to validate 20 years of practice and to consider a wide range of theoretical and disciplinary perspectives. Immediately this impacted on my ability to better articulate a more nuanced and evidence-based understanding of the context that surrounds practice. Before completing the MA I was promoted to a management post, overseeing six trainee community development posts, and three senior workers (the obvious impact of the course on my work was specifically highlighted during post-interview feedback)... It is clear to me that the course delivered positive outcomes in terms of career progression.”

Students from the past recommend the programme to others and recognise the combination of disciplines as unique:

“Put simply, I honestly believe I would not have got any of my three jobs since completing the course in 2003 without the MA. This is mostly reputation. The course has a cachet amongst managers in the voluntary sector, and the assumption is that students are able not only to do development work but also to do it in the right way, with values and processes embedded.”

Placements

Placement experiences and networks developed while on the programme often produce new job opportunities. As one recent graduate explained:

“I actually managed to find paid employment as a result of making a good impression during my second placement. My third placement was a job that I was able to progress effectively in and was a real step up in terms of experience and responsibility. I eventually became a line manager there, and was working on a payment by results programme, which really reflected the new political climate. It also made for a very interesting and topical research essay that I scored really well on. I know that employers look upon my CV and applications favourably due to the fact that I have an MA in Community and Youth Work from Goldsmiths.”

Similar programmes

MA Social Work

This Masters programme is ideal for graduates with relevant experience interested in pursuing a professional career in social work. You will receive an approved qualification, enabling you to register with Social Work England and work as a qualified professional social worker on completion of the programme.

MA Applied Anthropology & Community & Youth Work

Professionally validated by the National Youth Agency, this programme brings together community development and youth work practice with the research methods and theoretical preoccupations of anthropology.

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