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What is the impact of globalisation on family life? What kind of symbols and rituals shape our daily life? What is superdiversity and what does it mean for the social dynamics of the city and its infrastructure? How do people shape their religious identity by means of social media? This is just a small selection of questions that the programme engages with.
As an aspiring anthropologist, you study issues such as the impact of colonisation, the making and unmaking of identity, the relation between people and their environment, the calibration of agency with instiutions and political economies. You will be taking the perspective of the actors involved, placing emphasis on their daily experience. This angle adds a different dimension to phenomena such as globalisation, ecology or migration.
Such a power-sensitive, agency-driven, collaborative approach is reflexively practiced in the Master of Social and Cultural Anthropology at KU Leuven. The programme offers students exciting pathways and critical insights into the fundamentals of the discipline, and invites them to pursue their own scientific interests and societal concerns in individual research projects. Drawing on the cutting-edge research conducted at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, the masters provides an ample research outlook, informed by – but not limited to – its regional focus on Europe, Northern and Central Africa.
Strengths
The Master of Social and Cultural Anthropology programme trains you in empirical and comparative research methodologies, which challenge your familiar ways of being-in-the-world and the prejudices you hold about yourself and others.
Throughout the programme you develop your own research focus by conducting fieldwork, critically analyzing data and writing on this particular topic in your final master's thesis.
Depending on your research topic, students have the opportunity to engage in qualitative research in many different locations around the world, possibly in combination with an Erasmus exchange or a summer school.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Development Studies
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
What is the impact of globalisation on family life? What kind of symbols and rituals shape our daily life? What is superdiversity and what does it mean for the social dynamics of the city and its infrastructure? How do people shape their religious identity by means of social media? This is just a small selection of questions that the programme engages with.
As an aspiring anthropologist, you study issues such as the impact of colonisation, the making and unmaking of identity, the relation between people and their environment, the calibration of agency with instiutions and political economies. You will be taking the perspective of the actors involved, placing emphasis on their daily experience. This angle adds a different dimension to phenomena such as globalisation, ecology or migration.
Such a power-sensitive, agency-driven, collaborative approach is reflexively practiced in the Master of Social and Cultural Anthropology at KU Leuven. The programme offers students exciting pathways and critical insights into the fundamentals of the discipline, and invites them to pursue their own scientific interests and societal concerns in individual research projects. Drawing on the cutting-edge research conducted at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, the masters provides an ample research outlook, informed by – but not limited to – its regional focus on Europe, Northern and Central Africa.
Strengths
The Master of Social and Cultural Anthropology programme trains you in empirical and comparative research methodologies, which challenge your familiar ways of being-in-the-world and the prejudices you hold about yourself and others.
Throughout the programme you develop your own research focus by conducting fieldwork, critically analyzing data and writing on this particular topic in your final master's thesis.
Depending on your research topic, students have the opportunity to engage in qualitative research in many different locations around the world, possibly in combination with an Erasmus exchange or a summer school.
Students with a degree obtained at an institution outside the Flemish Community:
Diploma requirements
EEA diplomas
We welcome candidates with diplomas broadly compatible with the criteria set for Flemish diplomas. This will be further assessed in the admissions process.
Non-EEA diplomas
We welcome excellent candidates with a bachelor or master diploma in anthropology or an adjacent field. While we can consider diverse academic backgrounds, we require at least 4 relevant courses in social science and/or humanities. These could, for instance, be introductory courses in cultural/social anthropology, sociology, social theory, and qualitative research methods. Applicants should have outstanding academic results (cum laude or higher).
Language requirements
Applicants holding a bachelor’s and/or a master’s degree that was fully taught in English can be exempted from the obligation to take an English proficiency test upon presenting relevant diplomas. Applicants who do not hold a bachelor’s degree that was fully taught in English, must submit an English proficiency certificate.
2 Years
Sep
International
3,093 EUR
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
Master of Social and Cultural Anthropology
KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
# 101-130QS Subject Rankings
24 monthsProgramme duration
3,093 EURTuition Fee/year
Development StudiesMain Subject Area
Programme overview
Main Subject
Development Studies
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
What is the impact of globalisation on family life? What kind of symbols and rituals shape our daily life? What is superdiversity and what does it mean for the social dynamics of the city and its infrastructure? How do people shape their religious identity by means of social media? This is just a small selection of questions that the programme engages with.
As an aspiring anthropologist, you study issues such as the impact of colonisation, the making and unmaking of identity, the relation between people and their environment, the calibration of agency with instiutions and political economies. You will be taking the perspective of the actors involved, placing emphasis on their daily experience. This angle adds a different dimension to phenomena such as globalisation, ecology or migration.
Such a power-sensitive, agency-driven, collaborative approach is reflexively practiced in the Master of Social and Cultural Anthropology at KU Leuven. The programme offers students exciting pathways and critical insights into the fundamentals of the discipline, and invites them to pursue their own scientific interests and societal concerns in individual research projects. Drawing on the cutting-edge research conducted at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, the masters provides an ample research outlook, informed by – but not limited to – its regional focus on Europe, Northern and Central Africa.
Strengths
Programme overview
Main Subject
Development Studies
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
What is the impact of globalisation on family life? What kind of symbols and rituals shape our daily life? What is superdiversity and what does it mean for the social dynamics of the city and its infrastructure? How do people shape their religious identity by means of social media? This is just a small selection of questions that the programme engages with.
As an aspiring anthropologist, you study issues such as the impact of colonisation, the making and unmaking of identity, the relation between people and their environment, the calibration of agency with instiutions and political economies. You will be taking the perspective of the actors involved, placing emphasis on their daily experience. This angle adds a different dimension to phenomena such as globalisation, ecology or migration.
Such a power-sensitive, agency-driven, collaborative approach is reflexively practiced in the Master of Social and Cultural Anthropology at KU Leuven. The programme offers students exciting pathways and critical insights into the fundamentals of the discipline, and invites them to pursue their own scientific interests and societal concerns in individual research projects. Drawing on the cutting-edge research conducted at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, the masters provides an ample research outlook, informed by – but not limited to – its regional focus on Europe, Northern and Central Africa.
Strengths
Brochures
Admission Requirements
Students with a degree obtained at an institution outside the Flemish Community:
Diploma requirements
EEA diplomas
We welcome candidates with diplomas broadly compatible with the criteria set for Flemish diplomas. This will be further assessed in the admissions process.
Non-EEA diplomas
We welcome excellent candidates with a bachelor or master diploma in anthropology or an adjacent field. While we can consider diverse academic backgrounds, we require at least 4 relevant courses in social science and/or humanities. These could, for instance, be introductory courses in cultural/social anthropology, sociology, social theory, and qualitative research methods. Applicants should have outstanding academic results (cum laude or higher).
Language requirements
Applicants holding a bachelor’s and/or a master’s degree that was fully taught in English can be exempted from the obligation to take an English proficiency test upon presenting relevant diplomas. Applicants who do not hold a bachelor’s degree that was fully taught in English, must submit an English proficiency certificate.
International
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
How to get a full scholarship
Looking for a fully-funded scholarship to see you into university? Find out how to boost your chances of getting one.
Scholarships to study abroad
Find scholarships to study abroad with our lists of international scholarships – categorized by country, by subject, and by type of student.
Scholarship Applications: Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all your questions about scholarship applications, including tips on how to find scholarships and chances of success.
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