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Understand how cultural differences shape the way understand see and experience their worlds. Why do conflicts escalate? How do communities respond to technological change? And how do power and identity determine who is heard - and who is not? During this master's programme, you'll analyse how beliefs, values and social structures are interwoven and you will delve deeper into the 'why' behind human behaviour. As an anthropologist, you place people's perspectives at the center: you listen, observe, and analyse from within.
Why study the Master's in Anthropology at VU?
The world faces major challenges that demand innovative perspectives - precisely where anthropologists make a difference. From climate change to social inequality: anthropology reveals how cultural, political and economic processes shape these issues and changes how we understand them.
Before starting your Master's, you will choose a track that aligns with your ambitions:
Professional Anthropology Track: You will collaborate with an NGO, government agency or other stakeholder and translate research into practical recommendations.
Social and Cultural Anthropology Track: You will specialise in in-depth academic
research and prepare for a PhD or research career.
Both tracks offer three months of intensive fieldwork in the Netherlands or abroad, individual supervision and thorough methodological and theoretical training. You will complete the master's programme with a thesis based entirely on your own field research.
Summer School
Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Art History
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Understand how cultural differences shape the way understand see and experience their worlds. Why do conflicts escalate? How do communities respond to technological change? And how do power and identity determine who is heard - and who is not? During this master's programme, you'll analyse how beliefs, values and social structures are interwoven and you will delve deeper into the 'why' behind human behaviour. As an anthropologist, you place people's perspectives at the center: you listen, observe, and analyse from within.
Why study the Master's in Anthropology at VU?
The world faces major challenges that demand innovative perspectives - precisely where anthropologists make a difference. From climate change to social inequality: anthropology reveals how cultural, political and economic processes shape these issues and changes how we understand them.
Before starting your Master's, you will choose a track that aligns with your ambitions:
Professional Anthropology Track: You will collaborate with an NGO, government agency or other stakeholder and translate research into practical recommendations.
Social and Cultural Anthropology Track: You will specialise in in-depth academic
research and prepare for a PhD or research career.
Both tracks offer three months of intensive fieldwork in the Netherlands or abroad, individual supervision and thorough methodological and theoretical training. You will complete the master's programme with a thesis based entirely on your own field research.
Summer School
Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet the following admission requirements:
1. Academic requirements
Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree ( wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO ) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years).
2. Programme specific requirements
The Admission Board needs to establish that you meet all of the following admission requirements:
A sufficient background in the methods and techniques of social science research
A sufficient background in the theory of (social and cultural) anthropology
This can be demonstrated by having a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, or a related field, or if you have completed a minor in Anthropology, with a curriculum including social science research methods.
In all cases, your bachelor must be equivalent to a Dutch academic (WO) bachelor and therefore must be completed at a research university.
3. English language proficiency requirements
You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page .
You can already submit your application form without having met the English language requirements, but if you are conditionally admitted, you still have to meet the English language requirements.
1 Year
Sep
Tuition fees
Domestic
2,694 EUR
International
24,830 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:
Start at the programme page of the degree you are interested in. Read the admission requirements and application steps carefully. Then apply through Studielink, complete your application on your VU dashboard, pay the application fee (if required), and wait for the admission decision, which is usually communicated within 4–6 weeks.
Check the specific ‘Admissions’ section on your programme’s page for required documents. General requirements include your diploma, transcripts and other supporting documents. Documents should be in English, German, Dutch, French, Italian, or Spanish; others must be translated into English.
Yes, for Master’s, you can apply without a diploma copy; if conditionally admitted, you must send a certified diploma copy before the deadline.
The International Office checks your application for completeness. If there’s missing or incorrect information, they will contact you. Otherwise, your application is reviewed and you typically receive a decision within 4–8 weeks. Check your email (including spam) regularly for updates.
Social and Cultural Anthropology
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
12 monthsProgramme duration
24,830 EURTuition Fee/year
Art HistoryMain Subject Area
Programme overview
Main Subject
Art History
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Understand how cultural differences shape the way understand see and experience their worlds. Why do conflicts escalate? How do communities respond to technological change? And how do power and identity determine who is heard - and who is not? During this master's programme, you'll analyse how beliefs, values and social structures are interwoven and you will delve deeper into the 'why' behind human behaviour. As an anthropologist, you place people's perspectives at the center: you listen, observe, and analyse from within.
Why study the Master's in Anthropology at VU?
The world faces major challenges that demand innovative perspectives - precisely where anthropologists make a difference. From climate change to social inequality: anthropology reveals how cultural, political and economic processes shape these issues and changes how we understand them.
Before starting your Master's, you will choose a track that aligns with your ambitions:
Professional Anthropology Track: You will collaborate with an NGO, government agency or other stakeholder and translate research into practical recommendations.
Social and Cultural Anthropology Track: You will specialise in in-depth academic
research and prepare for a PhD or research career.
Both tracks offer three months of intensive fieldwork in the Netherlands or abroad, individual supervision and thorough methodological and theoretical training. You will complete the master's programme with a thesis based entirely on your own field research.
Summer School
Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Art History
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Understand how cultural differences shape the way understand see and experience their worlds. Why do conflicts escalate? How do communities respond to technological change? And how do power and identity determine who is heard - and who is not? During this master's programme, you'll analyse how beliefs, values and social structures are interwoven and you will delve deeper into the 'why' behind human behaviour. As an anthropologist, you place people's perspectives at the center: you listen, observe, and analyse from within.
Why study the Master's in Anthropology at VU?
The world faces major challenges that demand innovative perspectives - precisely where anthropologists make a difference. From climate change to social inequality: anthropology reveals how cultural, political and economic processes shape these issues and changes how we understand them.
Before starting your Master's, you will choose a track that aligns with your ambitions:
Professional Anthropology Track: You will collaborate with an NGO, government agency or other stakeholder and translate research into practical recommendations.
Social and Cultural Anthropology Track: You will specialise in in-depth academic
research and prepare for a PhD or research career.
Both tracks offer three months of intensive fieldwork in the Netherlands or abroad, individual supervision and thorough methodological and theoretical training. You will complete the master's programme with a thesis based entirely on your own field research.
Summer School
Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet the following admission requirements:
1. Academic requirements
Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree ( wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO ) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years).
2. Programme specific requirements
The Admission Board needs to establish that you meet all of the following admission requirements:
A sufficient background in the methods and techniques of social science research
A sufficient background in the theory of (social and cultural) anthropology
This can be demonstrated by having a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, or a related field, or if you have completed a minor in Anthropology, with a curriculum including social science research methods.
In all cases, your bachelor must be equivalent to a Dutch academic (WO) bachelor and therefore must be completed at a research university.
3. English language proficiency requirements
You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page .
You can already submit your application form without having met the English language requirements, but if you are conditionally admitted, you still have to meet the English language requirements.
Tuition fees
Domestic
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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