Master of Science in Cultural Anthropology: Sociocultural Transformation

Are you interested in the anthropological study of cultural diversity, power relations, and social change in this age of globalization? In particular, are you keen to learn more about issues of ethnicity and religion in a globalized context, about political conflict and social suffering, social justice and reconstruction, food and the senses? The Master’s program Cultural Anthropology: Sociocultural Transformation will provide you with the knowledge and skills to address these issues through high-caliber research.

High-quality education

Dutch Master's programs are routinely assessed in the annual 'Keuzegids Masters' survey, a highly regarded Dutch ranking. In the most recent 'Keuzegids Masters' (2021), Cultural Anthropology: Sociocultural Transformation was assessed as the highest-scoring research master's among the anthropology and development research masters and the highest scoring master's program out of seven MA programs in Cultural Anthropology in the Netherlands.

The program received an above-average assessment for the components: program content, examination, teachers, and challenging education. For the components of scientific training and internationalization, the program receives a high above average score.

The Master's Cultural Anthropology: Sociocultural Transformation prepares you for a research career, in academia (including further Ph.D. training), in other research institutes, or in private companies. On the foundation of your Bachelor’s degree, this Master’s program trains you to operate as a qualified cultural anthropologist. As a science practitioner, you'll develop the academic skills and knowledge necessary to initiate and develop groundbreaking research on the relationship between cultural diversity and power within the process of sociocultural transformation. Being educated at Utrecht University guarantees that you are equipped with a strong methodological basis.

This Master's introduces you to the analysis of the complex interplay of cultural diversity and power throughout the world with a particular emphasis on multi-level analyses ranging from interpersonal relations and local communities to regional, national and global socio-cultural configurations.

The first year consists of a thorough overview of anthropological theories, issues, and debates in conjunction with state-of-the-art training in anthropological research methods. You will learn how to integrate theories and methods, which will result in a finished research design by the end of the year. After completing intensive training in interview techniques, in the second year, you will go on to conduct your empirical research abroad.

The Master’s program Cultural Anthropology: Sociocultural Transformation prepares you for subsequent Ph.D. training, but also serves as a freestanding program for graduates who aspire to research positions outside academia.

Academic Careers

This Master's program prepares you for a scientific career, whether in academia (Ph.D. training), research institutes, government organizations, NGOs, or private companies.

Graduates are working in positions such as:

• Ph.D. student (De Montford University, Leicester, UK; Utrecht University; University of Amsterdam)
• Academic assistant (Institute for Ethnology at the University of Leipzig, Germany)

What does your job involve?

Ph.D. student

You will conduct four years of research at a university in the Netherlands or abroad, write scientific publications and work as a lecturer for Bachelor’s and Master’s students. After you obtain your degree, you can apply for a research position.

Professional Careers

Students who regard the MSc as the end of their academic education can capitalize on their:

• Research experience abroad
• Foreign language fluency
• Analytical, research, and reporting skills
• Successful completion of a demanding program

Graduates are working in positions such as:

• Employee, sales division (Sellbytel Group, Barcelona)
• Junior advisor/researcher (K2 Brabants Kenniscentrum Jeugd, 's-Hertogenbosch)
• Journalist (Thailand)
• Trainee researcher/consultant (BMC, Amersfoort)
• Process excellence manager
• Coordinator, youth organization engaged in critical development cooperation (Burkina Faso)
• Researcher/administrative assistant
• Director, student engagement (Hillel at the University of Texas, Dallas, US)
• Trainee, NGO (Mensen met een Missie, the Hague)