MRes Ethnology, Folklore, and Ethnomusicology at University of Aberdeen

A fieldwork-based research masters offered through the Elphinstone Institute, giving a broad grounding in Ethnology, Folklore and Ethnomusicology. Dissertations examine culture and tradition, with particular emphasis on Scotland and the Scottish diaspora. Students develop practical skills in interviewing, fieldnote taking, audio and video recording and editing, photography, cataloguing and archiving, alongside training in fieldwork ethics.

Department: Elphinstone Institute  |  Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Students complete an original, fieldwork-based dissertation, whose findings are added to the Elphinstone Institute Archives. Past topics include material culture, custom and belief, music and song, oral narrative, childlore and games, and Scots language. Students without ethnographic fieldwork experience audit the Taught MLitt fieldwork seminars and workshops.

Career pathways

Graduates go on to careers in the public arts, museums, archives, cultural tourism, cultural administration, music performance and teaching, and academia.

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