Graduate Programs

Coursework Programs

Graduate Diploma & Master of Arts Specialisations:

Graduate Diploma in Arts (Anthropology)

The Graduate Diploma in Anthropology is essentially a conversion course, aimed at students with a qualification in a related discipline but no prior background in anthropology. The Graduate Diploma is a one-year full-time postgraduate coursework degree consisting of 36 units of courses.

For more information visit Study@ANU: Graduate Diploma in Arts
Or contact for Semester1: Professor Francesca Merlan: francesca.merlan@anu.edu.au Semester 2: Dr Phillip Winn: phillip.winn@anu.edu.au

Master of Arts (Anthropology)

The Master of Arts (Anthropology) is a two-year full-time degree which combines a year of coursework (identical to the Graduate Diploma) with a second year during which candidates complete a supervised sub-thesis of 25,000-30,000 words. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma are eligible to enter the Master’s degree if they achieve an average grade of Distinction or higher.

For more information visit Study@: Master of Arts
Or contact for Semester1: Professor Francesca Merlan: francesca.merlan@anu.edu.au Semester 2: Dr Phillip Winn: phillip.winn@anu.edu.au

Graduate Diploma in Arts (Archaeology)

The Graduate Diploma in Archaeology is an intensive program designed for those who are seeking academic preparation for a career in archaeology. The coursework comprises a range of advanced courses dealing with practical (field, laboratory and quantitative practice and analysis), theoretical, thematic and regional aspects of prehistoric and historic archaeology.

For more information visit Study@ANU: Graduate Diploma in Arts
Or contact Mr Ian Farrington: ian.farrington@anu.edu.au

Master of Arts (Archaeology)

The Master of Arts specialising in Archaeology is designed for those who are seeking academic preparation for a career in archaeology. The coursework comprises a range of advanced courses dealing with practical (field, laboratory and quantitative practice and analysis), theoretical, thematic and regional aspects of prehistoric and historic archaeology. The Master of Arts (Archaeology) is a two-year full-time degree (or part-time equivalent) which combines a year of coursework (identical to the Graduate Diploma in archaeology) with a second year during which candidates complete a supervised sub-thesis of 25,000-30,000 words. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma are eligible to enter the Master’s degree if they achieve an average grade of Distinction or higher.

For more information visit Study@ANU: Master of Arts
Or contact Mr Ian Farrington: ian.farrington@anu.edu.au

Graduate Diploma in Arts (Biological Anthropology)

The Graduate Diploma is designed for students with a background in a cognate field who have developed an interest in biological anthropology, but who may have relatively little prior formal background in the subject. The aim of the qualification is to provide a grounding in the main sub-fields of biological anthropology, either as a career- or interest-driven objective in itself, or to lead on to further study and research in the field.

For more information visit Study@ANU: Graduate Diploma in Arts
Or contact Dr Robert Attenborough: robert.attenborough@anu.edu.au

Master of Arts (Biological Anthropology)

The Master of Arts (Biological Anthropology) is a two-year full-time degree (or part-time equivalent) which combines a year of coursework (identical to the Graduate Diploma in bioanthropology) with a second year during which candidates complete a supervised sub-thesis of 25,000-30,000 words. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma are eligible to enter the Master’s degree if they achieve an average grade of Distinction or higher.

For more information visit Study@ANU: Master of Arts
Or contact Dr Robert Attenborough: robert.attenborough@anu.edu.au

Graduate Diploma in Arts (Forensic Anthropology)

Forensic anthropology is not offered at most Australian universities. This program is designed for students with a background in a cognate field who have developed an interest in forensic anthropology, but have little prior formal background in the subject. The aim of the qualification is to provide a grounding in forensic anthropological and archaeological theory and techniques.

For more information visit Study@ANU: Graduate Diploma in Arts
Or contact Dr Marc Oxenham: marc.oxenham@anu.edu.au

Master of Arts (Forensic Anthropology)

The Master of Arts degree specialising in Forensic Anthropology is integrated with the Graduate Diploma, in that students who achieve an average grade of Distinction (70%) or better in the Graduate Diploma may transfer to the Master of Arts program. Once admitted to the second year of the program students undertake a supervised sub-thesis in the subject.

For more information visit Study@ANU: Master of Arts
Or contact Dr Marc Oxenham: marc.oxenham@anu.edu.au

Graduate Diploma in Arts (Indigenous Australian Studies)

The Graduate Diploma in Arts specialising in Indigenous Australian Studies offers courses that provide a comprehensive insight into Indigenous Australian studies including the origins of Indigenous Australian people, their occupation and adaptation to the continent, their traditional and contemporary social, cultural, linguistic, musical and artistic practices, the impact of European colonisation, the place of Indigenous Australian people in Australian society today and the representation of Indigeneity in literature and biography.

For more information visit Study@ANU: Graduate Diploma in Arts
Or contact Professor Nicolas Peterson: nicolas.peterson@anu.edu.au

Master of Arts (Indigenous Australian Studies)

The Master of Arts (Indigenous Australian Studies) combines a year of coursework (identical to that undertaken in the Graduate Diploma) with a second year in which students undertake research for a sub-thesis under supervision.

For more information visit Study@ANU: Master of Arts
Or contact Professor Nicolas Peterson: nicolas.peterson@anu.edu.au

Specialist Masters Programs:

Master of Anthropology

The Master of Anthropology is a one-year full-time course work degree. It differs from the Graduate Diploma in that the entry requirements are higher, and candidates complete 48 units of courses (not 36). Students complete two compulsory courses worth 12 units each (Topics in the History of Anthropological Theory and Advanced Issues in Anthropology), and four other courses worth 6 units each, based on their area of interest.

For more information visit Study@ANU: Master of Anthropology
Or contact for Semester1: Professor Francesca Merlan: francesca.merlan@anu.edu.au Semester 2: Dr Phillip Winn: phillip.winn@anu.edu.au

Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development

The Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development (MAAPD) is a graduate program that provides an understanding of the principal ways in which critical social inquiry and participatory processes can be applied to the management of international development activities. Particular emphasis is placed on the problems of combining social perspectives and participatory practices with other forms of technical expertise in development work. The program is designed for people working in government, and non-government development agencies. On completion of the program MAAPD graduates will be better able to manage development projects, including undertaking social assessment and advising on their cultural and social impacts. The program also offers specializations in Gender and Development, Indigenous Policy, and Conflict and Development.

For more information visit MAAPD Program 2008 or Study@ANU: Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development
Or contact Dr Patrick Kilby at patrick.kilby@anu.edu.au

Master of Visual Culture Research

The Master of Visual Culture Research is a one-year full-time coursework degree (48 units) that aims to foster a critical appreciation of the centrality of visual materials in contemporary social life. The program offers a distinctive set of courses in conceptual and practical engagement with visual materials, combining the critical perspectives of the humanities and social sciences with practical workshops utilising visual media (especially video and photography). Candidates will graduate with a well-developed understanding of and set of skills for working with visual materials. All students complete two core courses (Introduction to Visual Culture and Concepts and Methods in Visual Culture Research), and select four courses from an extensive list of electives.

For more information visit Study@ANU: Master of Visual Culture Research
Or contact Dr Fuyubi Nakamura: fuyubi.nakamura@anu.edu.au

Research Programs

The school offers graduate research programs at Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and doctorate (PhD) levels. These research-only degrees enable students to undertake an in-depth research project at post-graduate level under the close supervision of academic staff. The MPhil and PhD take two and four years respectively.

For more information contact Ms Liz Walters, Graduate Administrator: liz.walters@anu.edu.au