Social and Cultural Anthropology

At VU, our MSc programme goes beyond studying cultures to unwrap the complex layers of society and human interaction. It is an immersive exploration of the interconnectedness of human beliefs, values, and social norms.

Today's global challenges demand innovative perspectives, which is where anthropologists come in. From climate change to social inequality, anthropology addresses society's most urgent issues like no other science can. Anthropologists are the architects of the future, sought after by public, private, and non-governmental organisations.

During this one-year programme, we will teach you critical analytical thinking, advanced research skills, and the profound cultural understanding needed to navigate complex real-world issues. You’ll then immediately put that into practice during a three-month fieldwork research project. Together with your fellow students and under the personal guidance of a lecturer, your intellectual adventure in anthropological research begins. For many students, this is a life-changing experience.

The Social and Cultural Anthropology programme at VU Amsterdam offers two tracks: the social and cultural anthropology track and the professional anthropology track. In both tracks you conduct three months of fieldwork, either far away or close to home, supported by a supervisor at VU.