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Master in Anthropology

Master in Anthropology

The 2024-2025 programme is subject to change. It is provided for information purposes only.

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  • Programme title
    Master in Anthropology
  • Programme mnemonic
    MA-ANTR
  • Programme organised by
    • Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences
  • Degree type
    Master 120 credits
  • Tier
    2nd cycle
  • Field and branch of study
    Human and social sciences/Political and social sciences
  • Schedule type
    Daytime
  • Languages of instruction
    french
  • Theoretical programme duration
    2 years
  • Campus
    Solbosch
  • Category / Topic
    Human and social sciences - Political and social sciences
  • Jury President
    Olivia ANGE
  • Jury Secretary
    Sarah O'NEILL

Presentation

Details

General information

Degree type

Master 120 credits

Theoretical programme duration

2 years

Learning language(s)

french

Schedule type

Daytime

Campus

Solbosch

Category(ies) - Topic(s)

Human and social sciences - Political and social sciences

Organising faculty(s) and university(ies)
Infor-études

Contacts

+32 2 650 39 09

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Presentation

The Master in Anthropology enables students to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical experience on the methodologies specific to this discipline, in particular participant observation. It also includes solid theoretical courses on various geographical cultural areas: first and foremost Africa, but also several regions of Europe, Asia, and Latin America. In addition, this ‘distant view’ of non-European societies and the highly comparative approach used in anthropology help students gain an original perspective that lets them better understand contemporary worlds as a whole, including the complex nature of advanced industrial societies. At the end of the programme, graduates will have both general knowledge of the discipline's major topics and issues, and a wealth of in-depth knowledge in their specialised fields, acquired through their choice of research subjects, specialisation track, and elective courses.

The Master programme combines several teaching methods: formal lectures, exercises in small groups, workshops, and assignments.

Emphasis is placed on the student's ability to think critically; on acquiring and putting to the test quantitative and qualitative methods (observation, description, interviews); on field work; and on openness to other disciplines (sociology, history, psychology, philosophy, political science).

The Master in Anthropology offers solid basic knowledge in regional anthropology, and includes courses that borrow from other disciplines (history, linguistics, geography, religion, etc.).

With its emphasis on research-based training, the programme was designed to let students acquire basic ethnographical skills in a practical manner, by putting them to the test in the field. Thus, teaching activities are designed in close synergy with research, which allows students to share ideas during seminars with researchers who work on various geographical areas and topics.

Courses focus on training through research, with students acquiring practical skills by developing a research project over two years, from defining their research topic and methodology to writing a dissertation featuring empirical fieldwork, in Belgium or abroad.

A team of lecturers-researchers is available, whose members are well connected in international research programmes and have a wide range of interests and geographical areas of specialisation: this means that the programme is backed by high-level research.

The department gives graduates a European Certificate in Anthropology of Social Dynamics and Development. ULB is in charge of coordinating this specific programme.

Importance is attached to training by research, with students acquiring practical competences through developing a research project over two years, from the definition of a research subject and a methodology to writing a dissertation featuring empirical fieldwork, whether in Belgium or abroad.

A team of lecturers-researchers is available, well-networked in international research programmes, with a wide range of interests and varied geographical specialisation areas, meaning that training is backed by high-level research.

The department offers a “European certificate in Anthropology of social dynamics and development”. ULB is in charge of the coordination of this specific programme.

Students may spend a single term or a full year abroad. The department has signed exchange agreements with many partner universities in Europe and throughout the world.

It also has a strong relationship with a limited number of universities, enabling students to take part in a mobility programme as part of the European Certificate in Anthropology of Social Dynamics and Development programme. ULB is in charge of coordinating this programme, which can lead to a joint Master’s degree when students attend the University of Bordeaux (France). The list of universities that take part in this European Master's degree can be found here: European programme in Anthropology.

Access conditions

Programme

The Master in Anthropology trains specialists on a comparative approach to various societies and cultures, and on field research. It provides students with the analytical skills required to reflect on life within a society.

The programme starts by developing the foundations laid down during the Bachelor, and by offering regional or specialised anthropological courses as well as courses that borrow from other disciplines (sociology, history, psychology, philosophy, political science, etc.).

A special feature of the Master in Anthropology is that it is largely organised around the dissertation students produce at the end of the programme. Students choose a research topic at the beginning of the Master, in agreement with a supervisor of their choosing. This means the Master in Anthropology places emphasis on training through research, allowing students to acquire a range of skills associated with the design and implementation of an empirical field research project, from defining a methodology and producing data to writing the dissertation.

What's next ?

Prospects

The programme paves the way to ‘traditional’ careers in social sciences, e.g. in research into social issues, either fundamental (within universities and research institutes) or applied (within consulting firms, NGOs, international institutions). With their experience in the analysis of cultural change, anthropologists—like sociologists—can work in institutions that are directly involved in social change, designing social or cultural policies, contributing to aid and development practices, etc.

Sectors:

  • National and international institutions (European Union, World Bank, etc.)

  • NGOs and international cooperation organisations

  • Social services and non-profit organisations

  • Civil service

  • Consulting

  • Teaching

  • Public or private research institutes

  • Research in anthropology (universities, research institutes)

  • Work as specialists or project managers in a consulting firm, NGO, or national or international organisation

  • International aid / development agencies (humanitarian aid, NGOs, etc.)

  • University-level social work, or work in the non-profit or cultural sector

  • Management positions in civil service or the private sector (working in areas related to human and social sciences)

  • Teaching in secondary schools or universities

  • International aid / development agency (humanitarian, NGO, etc.)

  • University-level social worker, or working in the non-profit or cultural sector

  • Manager in the civil service or the private sector (working in areas basically linked to human and social sciences).

  • Secondary school teacher / university lecturer