Master of Social and Cultural Anthropology (Leuven) (120 ECTS) Master of Science
Students with a degree obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community
Direct
On the basis of the following degrees, or similar degrees, obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community:
- Bachelor in de communicatiewetenschappen (Leuven)
- Bachelor in de geschiedenis (Kortrijk, Leuven)
- Bachelor in de onderwijskunde (Kortrijk)
- Bachelor in de pedagogische wetenschappen (Leuven)
- Bachelor in de politieke wetenschappen en de sociologie (Leuven)
- Bachelor in de psychologie (Leuven)
- Bachelor of European Studies (Leuven)
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Leuven)
- Master in de communicatiewetenschappen (Leuven)
- Master in de educatieve studies (Leuven)
- Master in de geschiedenis (Leuven)
- Master in de pedagogische wetenschappen (Leuven)
- Master in de psychologie (Leuven)
- Master in de sociologie (Leuven)
- Master in de vergelijkende en internationale politiek (Leuven)
- Master in het publiek management en beleid (Leuven)
- Bachelor of Communication Sciences
- Master of Communication Sciences
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Master of Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Political Sciences
- Bachelor in de politieke wetenschappen
- Master of Political Sciences
- Master in de politieke wetenschappen
- Bachelor of Political and Social Sciences
- Master of Political and Social Sciences
- Bachelor in de sociologie
- Bachelor of Sociology
- Master of Sociology
- Bachelor of Psychology
- Master of Psychology
- Bachelor of Educational Sciences
- Master of Educational Sciences
- Bachelor of History
- Master of History
- Bachelor in Anthropology
- Bachelor in Philosophy
- Master in Philosophy
- Bachelor in Social and/or Cultural Geography
- Master in Social and/or Cultural Geography
- Bachelor in de sociaal-economische wetenschappen
- Master in de sociaal-economische wetenschappen
- Bachelor in de sociale en militaire wetenschappen
- Master in de sociale en militaire wetenschappen
- Bachelor in Afrikaanse talen en culturen
- Master in African Studies
- Bachelor in cultuurwetenschappen
- Master in Gender and Diversity
After admission procedure
Other academic Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in humanities and social sciences obtained inside the Flemish Community are eligible for admission pending positive evaluation of a complete application file by the faculty.
After an abridged programme
On the basis of the following degrees, or similar degrees, obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community:
- After successfully completing the abridged programme: Bachelor in de psychologie (
Leuven, 58 sp. )
, the following degrees are accepted:
- Bachelor in de wijsbegeerte (Leuven) (Optie psychologie)
- After successfully completing the abridged programme: Master in de psychologie (
Leuven, 60 sp. )
, the following degrees are accepted:
- Master of Psychology: Theory and Research (na toelating) (Leuven)
Students with a degree not obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community
Students who did not obtain their previous degree(s) at an institution of the Flemish Community should submit an application via the Admissions Office: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/application/.
You can find a list of core documents, which should be submitted with every application, here: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/application/requesteddocuments.
Language requirements
The courses and seminars are taught in English, and the written work is to be completed in English. This means that C1 level of English is a pre-requisite, which is proven through a previous anglophone degree or a language proficiency test.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. The following tests and respective scores are accepted:
- - A TOEFL test certificate with a minimum score of 100 on the internet-based test. As for the latter we demand a minimum score of 22 on the writing component. The TOEFL Code for the University of Leuven is: 0749-99.
- - An Academic IELTS (British Council) test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 6.5 on the writing component.
- - A C1 Advanced (University of Cambridge examinations) with a minimum overall score of 184 (C1) and a minimum score of 176 on the writing component.
- - An ITACE test with a minimum overall score of C1.
Additional requirements
For NON-EEA diplomasAs part of the application process for the Social and Cultural Anthropology program, applicants with a diploma issued outside of the EEA are required to submit a motivation letter addressing two key areas, (1) relevant courses and (2) relevant research interests (max 1 page).
■ Relevant Courses: this includes information on any relevant academic course that the applicant has taken in the past (with a minimum of 3 relevant courses), whether at undergraduate or graduate level. These could, for instance be introductory courses to cultural/social anthropology/sociology, social theory, qualitative research methods, or any other courses relevant to the program.
■ Relevant Research Interest: This could include a specific area of anthropology that the applicant is interested in, a particular research question that they would like to explore, or any relevant research experience they have gained.
Additional information
Admissions deadlines are strongly suggested deadlines. In case of late submissions we cannot guarantee on time processing.
Students with a degree obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community
Direct
On the basis of the following degrees, or similar degrees, obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community:
- Bachelor in de communicatiewetenschappen (Leuven)
- Bachelor in de geschiedenis (Kortrijk, Leuven)
- Bachelor in de onderwijskunde (Kortrijk)
- Bachelor in de pedagogische wetenschappen (Leuven)
- Bachelor in de politieke wetenschappen en de sociologie (Leuven)
- Bachelor in de psychologie (Leuven)
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Leuven)
- Master in de communicatiewetenschappen (Leuven)
- Master in de educatieve studies (Leuven)
- Master in de geschiedenis (Leuven)
- Master in de pedagogische wetenschappen (Leuven)
- Master in de psychologie (Leuven)
- Master in de sociologie (Leuven)
- Master in de vergelijkende en internationale politiek (Leuven)
- Master in het publiek management en beleid (Leuven)
- Bachelor of Communication Sciences
- Master of Communication Sciences
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Master of Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Political Sciences
- Master of Political Sciences
- Bachelor of Political and Social Sciences
- Master of Political and Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Sociology
- Master of Sociology
- Bachelor of Psychology
- Master of Psychology
- Bachelor of Educational Sciences
- Master of Educational Sciences
- Bachelor of History
- Master of History
- Bachelor in Anthropology
- Bachelor in Philosophy
- Master in Philosophy
- Bachelor in Social and/or Cultural Geography
- Master in Social and/or Cultural Geography
After admission procedure
Other academic Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in humanities and social sciences obtained inside the Flemish Community are eligible for admission pending positive evaluation of a complete application file by the faculty.
After an abridged programme
On the basis of the following degrees, or similar degrees, obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community:
- After successfully completing the abridged programme: Bachelor in de psychologie (
Leuven, 58 sp. )
, the following degrees are accepted:
- Bachelor in de wijsbegeerte (Leuven) (Optie psychologie)
- After successfully completing the abridged programme: Master in de psychologie (
Leuven, 60 sp. )
, the following degrees are accepted:
- Master of Psychology: Theory and Research (na toelating) (Leuven)
Students with a degree not obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community
Students who did not obtain their previous degree(s) at an institution of the Flemish Community should submit an application via the Admissions Office: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/application/.
You can find a list of core documents, which should be submitted with every application, here: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/application/requesteddocuments.
Language requirements
The courses and seminars are taught in English, and the written work is to be completed in English. This means that sufficient knowledge of English is a pre-requisite.To prove this, applicants who do not hold a bachelor’s degree that was fully taught in English, are asked to submit an English proficiency certificate.
Applicants can submit a TOEFL test certificate with a minimum score of 100 on the internet-based test. As for the latter we demand a minimum score of 22 on the writing component. The TOEFL Code for the University of Leuven is: 0749-99.
Alternatively, candidates can submit an Academic IELTS (British Council) test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 6.5 on the writing component.
A further alternative is the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) (University of Cambridge examinations) with a minimum overall score of 184 (C1) and a minimum score of 176 on the writing component.
Finally, the ITACE test with a minimum overall score of C1 is considered valid as well. As said, applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree that was fully taught in English can be exempted from the obligation to take an English proficiency test upon presenting relevant diplomas.
Additional requirements
Adjustment of admission requirements for NON-EEA students 2024-2025■ As part of the application process for the Social and Cultural Anthropology program, applicants are required to submit a motivation letter by addressing two key areas (1) relevant courses and (2) relevant research interests (max 1 page).
■ Relevant Courses: this includes information on any relevant academic course that the applicant has taken in the past (with a minimum of 3 relevant courses), whether at the undergraduate or graduate level. These courses could include e.g. introductory courses to cultural/social anthropology/sociology, social theory, qualitative research methods, or any other courses relevant to the program.
■ Relevant Research Interest: This could include a specific area of anthropology that the applicant is interested in, a particular research question that they would like to explore, or any relevant research experience they have gained.
Additional information
Admissions deadlines are strongly suggested deadlines, in case of late submissions we cannot guarantee on time processing.
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Students take all courses of Introduction, Research and Master's Thesis. Furthermore, they take 5 of the 6 Basic courses and complete their programme up to a total of 120 credits with courses from the group 'electives'.
Students make sure the weight of their study programme is equally spread over the two semesters. The credits of the annual courses are equally spread over the two semesters.
While composing their study programme students take into account possible transitional arrangements. These will be available on the student portal under section "Programme changes".-
Introduction
Students take all of the following mandatory courses. Students with a bachelor degree or a bridging programme in social and cultural anthropology only take Keywords in Social and Cultural Anthropology.
6 ECTS Introduction to Anthropology in a Decolonizing World S0J98A staff staff
- N.Fadil (coordinator)
- F.De Boeck
- N.Fadil
- N.
Introduction to Anthropology in a Decolonizing World (6 ECTS) S0J98a staff staff
6 ECTS Keywords in Social and Cultural Anthropology S0J99A staff Keywords in Social and Cultural Anthropology (6 ECTS) S0J99a staff
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Basic Courses
Students take five courses of this group.
6 ECTS Power, Politics and Cultures of Late Capitalism in Anthropological Perspectives S0K19A staff- F.De Boeck (coordinator)
- S.Van Wolputte
staff
- F.De Boeck (coordinator)
- S.Van Wolputte
Power, Politics and Cultures of Late Capitalism in Anthropological Perspectives (6 ECTS) S0K19a staff 6 ECTS Anthropology of Religion S0D61C staff staff
Anthropology of Religion (6 ECTS) S0D61a staff staff
6 ECTS Urban Anthropology S0D88D staff staff
Urban Anthropology (6 ECTS) S0D88a staff staff
6 ECTS Culture, Intimacy and Relatedness S0K18A staff staff
Culture, Intimacy and Relatedness (6 ECTS) S0K18a staff staff
6 ECTS Culture, Migration and Mobility S0F75C staff staff
Culture, Migration and Mobility (6 ECTS) S0F75a staff staff
6 ECTS Cultural Anthropology S0R08A staff staff
Cultural Anthropology (6 ECTS) S0R08a staff staff
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Research
Students take all courses.
6 ECTS Ethnography Lab S0K32B staff staff
Ethnography Lab (6 ECTS) S0K32a staff staff
5 ECTS Ethnographic Design: Planning and Modelling a Fieldwork Project S0K34A staff staff
Ethnographic Design: Planning and Modelling a Fieldwork Project (5 ECTS) S0K34a staff staff
5 ECTS Interpreting Data Anthropologically S0K36A staff staff
Interpreting Data Anthropologically (5 ECTS) S0K36a staff staff
5 ECTS Master's Thesis Writing Seminar S0K37A staff staff
Master's Thesis Writing Seminar (5 ECTS) S0K37a staff staff
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Master's Thesis
Students take all courses.
12 ECTS Ethnographic Fieldwork S0K35A staff- N.
staff
- N.
Ethnographic Fieldwork (12 ECTS) S0K35a staff- N.
staff
- N.
18 ECTS Master's Thesis S0D87D staff- N.
staff
- N.
Master's Thesis (18 ECTS) S0D87a staff- N.
staff
- N.
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Electives Anthropology
The students complete their programme up to at least 120 credits. They take a minimum of 10 ECTS from the list of anthropology electives.
5 ECTS Anthropology of Material Culture S0D50B staff staff
Anthropology of Material Culture (4 ECTS) S0D50a staff staff
Anthropology of Material Culture: Reflection Paper (1 ECTS) S0I62a staff staff
5 ECTS Anthropology and the Anthropocene S0D68B staff- A.Cassiman (coordinator)
- F.De Boeck
staff
- A.Cassiman (coordinator)
- F.De Boeck
Anthropology and the Anthropocene (5 ECTS) S0D68a staff staff
5 ECTS World Anthropologies S0K28A staff staff
World Anthropologies (5 ECTS) S0K28a staff staff
5 ECTS Anthropology and Travel S0G00B staff staff
Anthropology and Travel (5 ECTS) S0G00a staff staff
4 ECTS Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Development and Cultures S0E06A staff- A.Cassiman (coordinator)
- F.De Boeck
staff
- A.Cassiman (coordinator)
- F.De Boeck
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Development and Cultures (4 ECTS) S0E06a staff staff
6 ECTS Race, Ethnicity and the Postcolonial Condition S0E09B staff staff
Race, Ethnicity and the Postcolonial Condition (6 ECTS) S0E09a staff staff
3 ECTS Law and Anthropology C07I7B staff staff
- M.Foblets (coordinator)
- N.
- J.Bernaerts (substitute)
Law and Anthropology (3 ECTS) C07I7a staff staff
- M.Foblets
- N.
- J.Bernaerts (substitute)
5 ECTS Special Topics in the Anthropology of Islam S0D85B staff staff
Special Topics in the Anthropology of Islam (5 ECTS) S0D85a staff staff
5 ECTS Anthropology of Language Use: Diversity and Inequality in a Languaging World S0K29A staff staff
Anthropology of Language Use: Diversity and Inequality in a Languaging World (5 ECTS) S0K29a staff staff
5 ECTS Anthropology and Social Media S0K30A staff staff
Anthropology and Social Media (5 ECTS) S0K30a staff staff
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Electives
Students complete their programme up to at least 120 credits. Students can select courses from other initial master's programs of the Faculty of Social Sciences: for this, a request form is not required. Students can also choose a maximum of two electives from master programs outside the Faculty of Social Sciences (including Master's in Business Communication and Master's European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives), which needs permission from the POC (via a request form to the Faculty Student Administration).
Attention: Bachelor level courses, language courses and courses with a practical or internship work form cannot be taken as electives.
Students can take maximum one Project-Based Learning Social Sciences and maximum one Short-term Mobility Social Sciences course in their programme.3 ECTS Project-Based Learning Social Sciences S0H63A staff staff
- T.Smits (coordinator)
- N.
- M.Bunneghem (cooperator)
Project-Based Learning Social Sciences (3 ECTS) S0H63a staff- N.
- M.Bunneghem (cooperator)
staff
- N.
- M.Bunneghem (cooperator)
3 ECTS Short-term Mobility Social Sciences S0K81A staff- N.
staff
- N.
Short-term Mobility Social Sciences (3 ECTS) S0K81a staff- N.
staff
- N.
6 ECTS Short-term Mobility Social Sciences S0K83A staff- N.
staff
- N.
Short-term Mobility Social Sciences (6 ECTS) S0K83a staff- N.
staff
- N.
3 ECTS Project-Based Learning Social Sciences S0H64A staff staff
- T.Smits (coordinator)
- N.
- M.Bunneghem (cooperator)
Project-Based Learning Social Sciences (3 ECTS) S0H64a staff- N.
- M.Bunneghem (cooperator)
staff
- N.
- M.Bunneghem (cooperator)
3 ECTS Short-term Mobility Social Sciences S0K82A staff- N.
staff
- N.
Short-term Mobility Social Sciences (3 ECTS) S0K82a staff- N.
staff
- N.
6 ECTS Short-term Mobility Social Sciences S0K84A staff- N.
staff
- N.
Short-term Mobility Social Sciences (6 ECTS) S0K84a staff- N.
staff
- N.
6 ECTS Project-Based Learning Social Sciences S0K38A staff staff
- T.Smits (coordinator)
- N.
- M.Bunneghem (cooperator)
Project-Based Learning Social Sciences (6 ECTS) S0K38a staff- N.
- M.Bunneghem (cooperator)
staff
- N.
- M.Bunneghem (cooperator)
-