What can you do with a Visual Anthropology degree?
Headline numbers
Where do our graduates work?
Documentary Filmmaking
Media / Broadcast
Arts / Creative
Academia
Photography
PhD Study
Research / Consultancy
Museums & Heritage
Most graduates build portfolio careers
Examples:
Filmmaker + researcher
Photographer + NGO work
Academic + documentary maker
Artist + curator
Skills that travel across careers
Ethnographic research
Visual storytelling
Film production and editing
Critical thinking
Project development
Working across cultures
What do our alumni say?
The course gives such a great combination of practical and academic skills, as well as softer skills like interviewing that are useful in so many different fields.
An MA does not determine your future, but it can open many directions. If you stay curious and engaged, almost anything is possible
With the MA I discovered documentary filmmaking as a possible career path. You have to hustle hard, be optimistic, resilient and be open to opportunities.
There is real cause for worry in precarious markets… but the programme prepares you well in terms of practice.
You will find something that fulfils you. The skills you gain, such as ethnographic research and analysis, project management and collaboration, are useful in all areas.
Alumni profiles
Chandni Brown
After completing the MA in Visual Anthropology in 2023, Chandni has developed projects combining creative research and impact storytelling in her work as a gender justice advocate. Her recent projects include publishing research on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, supporting a stage production on the challenges of human trafficking, ethnographic photography across Asia, and delivering seminars on anthropological approaches to gender justice.
highlights:
Dorien Theuns
After finishing the MA in Visual Anthropology in 2013, Dorien began working in museums and as audiovisual storyteller in the Netherlands. In her current role as coordinator of the social program line at Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, she co-creates programs and exhibitions with communities to make the museum relevant and representative to them.
highlights:
Yasmin Fedda
After graduating from the MA in Visual Anthropology in 2004, Yasmin completed a PhD in Trans-Disciplinary Documentary Film and is currently a Senior Lecturer in Film at Queen Mary University of London. Her films, including Ayouni (2020), Queens of Syria (2014), and the BAFTA-nominated Breadmakers (2007), have won multiple awards and been screened at festivals worldwide.
highlights:
Isabelle Introna
After graduating from the MA in Visual Anthropology in 2021, Isabelle began working at Policy Lab, a multidisciplinary team within the UK Government that works to improve policy through innovative, people-centred approaches.
highlights:
Rhys Aaron Lewis
Rhys graduated with an MA in Visual Anthropology in 2017. He has since produced several documentary and fiction shorts working with the BBC, Amazon Prime UK and the BFI. He recently directed his first long-form TV drama on the anthology series, Play for Today, with Channel 5 and Paramount TV.
highlights:
Martha-Cecilia Dietrich
After completing her MA in Visual Anthropology in 2009, Martha stayed at the GCVA to complete a PhD in Social Anthropology with Visual Media (2011-2014). Since then, she has worked at the University of Bern and completed a fellowship at NYU. Since he is now an Assistant Professor in Visual and Media Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam.