Masters applications for 2023 entry are now closed.
Applications for September 2024 will open on Monday 25 September. Applications are now open for programmes with a January 2024 start. View our programmes »
Overview
- You’ll acquire a broad, general knowledge of the current debates within both sociology and anthropology and also develop specialist knowledge within science and technology
- We will equip you with the traditional and cutting-edge research tools used for studying the relationship between culture, society and everyday life
- Examine science and technology and their relationship with the social and cultural context of their production
- Join a truly multicultural and culturally enriching environment, comprising of students from all three disciplines in the department of Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology
- You will develop a wide range of key transferrable skills that are highly valued by employers within a range of professions
82% of our research is internationally excellent
Top 10 in the UK for Philosophy
Top 15 in the UK for Sociology
82% of our research is internationally excellent
Top 10 in the UK for Philosophy
Top 15 in the UK for Sociology
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree with 53% or above in sociology, anthropology, statistics, data or English. While we normally only consider applicants who meet this criterion, if your first degree is in a different discipline, you are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant work experience, we would welcome your application.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
This degree captures the distinctive approach to sociology and anthropology at the University of Exeter, taking an interdisciplinary perspective on the some of the biggest issues and questions facing contemporary societies and, more specifically, those concerning science and technology.
You will examine science and technology and their relationship with the social and cultural context of their production.
Our programmes have been planned, organised and are delivered in a way oriented towards tapping into and addressing points of overlap and divergence between different disciplinary perspectives. These perspectives are explored, explained and made relevant to the material covered.
The core module in social theory is concerned in the broadest sense with the distinctiveness, or not, of human life and experience in late modern society. More specifically, social theory can be understood as a series of intellectual formulations concerned to respond to a range of questions:
- How does the structure and organisation of society shape how individuals think and (inter-)act?
- What does it mean to say that social order is achieved and how does this occur?
- How and in what ways are our identities and actions enabled and constrained by social structures?
We’ll introduce you to a range of central themes and issues that both classical and contemporary social theorists have addressed in their work equipping you with a broad range of conceptual tools with which to understand and research the social world.
You’ll also chose from a range of optional modules covering fields such as research methods, gender at work, health and wellbeing, data visualisation and philosophy of science.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
| SOCM027 |
Social Theory | 30 |
| SOCM904 |
Dissertation | 60 |
| SOCM950 |
Science Technology and Society | 30 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
|
MA Society and Culture: Science and Technology option modules 2024-5 |
| SOCM002B |
Philosophy of the Social Sciences |
30 |
| SOCM016 |
Cultures of the Life Sciences |
30 |
| SOCM020 |
Research Methods in the Social Sciences |
30 |
| SOCM022 |
Food, Body and Society |
30 |
| SOCM047 |
Understanding Media |
30 |
| SOCM945 |
Philosophy of Science |
30 |
Fees
2025/26 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,500 full-time; £6,250 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,300 full-time; £12,650 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Teaching and research
The department is home to a number of leading figures in the subject areas covered by our MA Society and Culture: Science and Technology. Giving students the opportunity to be taught by and learn from some of the most esteemed and respected scholars in their respective fields.
Many of the modules offered on the MA Society and Culture: Science and Technology are taught by members of staff who are actively engaged in research within their specialist areas. Very often, this means that students are typically taught using journal articles, monographs and textbooks, written by the course leader. Not only does this mean they have direct access to the authors whose work they are reading and engaged with, but that the opportunity to discuss the ideas and themes directly both in seminars and a range of more informal settings.
Teaching takes place over the first two terms, leaving the third for your dissertation. Research-centred teaching is at the heart of the programme. Teaching is done in small seminar groups to allow students the best possible interaction with academic staff, through individual presentations and round table discussions of common readings.
Students have the opportunity to engage in a serious piece of research into a topic of their choosing through the dissertation module. You will be assessed through coursework which will vary depending on the modules you choose and the completion of a dissertation.
Read more
Dr Christopher Thorpe
Programme Director
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Professor Mike Michael
Head of Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology (SPA)
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Professor Harry G West
Professor of Anthropology
Dr Christopher Thorpe
Programme Director
Christopher’s work explores issues and debates situated at the historical cultural sociology/ sociology of culture interface. He is particularly interested in the subjects of cultural representation, appropriation and the 'autonomy of culture' debate. His work draws on historical forms of 'data' spanning comparative English literature, social and cultural history, travel studies and other disciplines as they relate to the subject of discursive representations of Italy and appropriations of Italian culture, in England and later Britain during the period spanning approximately the English Renaissance to the present day.
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Professor Mike Michael
Head of Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology (SPA)
Mike is a sociologist of science and technology. He joined SPA in 2017, having previously worked at Lancaster University, Goldsmiths, University of London, and the University of Sydney. His research interests have included: the relation of everyday life to technoscience; biotechnological and biomedical innovation and culture; the public understanding of/engagement with science; and process methodology. His teaching has covered such areas as social theory, microsociology, environmental sociology, science and society, animals and society, sociologies of everyday life, and qualitative methodology.
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Professor Harry G West
Professor of Anthropology
Harry teaches on the core module Social Theory. He is a socio-cultural anthropologist with expertise in political anthropology and the anthropology of food, farming and agrarian society. He has conducted research in Africa, as well as in Europe and North America. He is currently working on food, heritage and memory, with a focus on artisan cheesemaking.
He is Co-Director of the Centre for Rural Policy Research, and Coordinator of the Food Studies Network.
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Careers
Employer-valued skills
In addition to the specialist knowledge you will gain during your programme, you will also develop transferrable skills valued by employers such as:
- Researching, analysing and assessing sources of information
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Managing and interpreting information
- Developing ideas and arguments
Career support
The College's Employability Officer works with our central Career Zone team to give you access to a wealth of business contacts, support and training, as well as the opportunity to meet potential employers at our regular Careers Fairs.
