Entry requirements
Cultural and Social Anthropology (MSc), step 1 (of 4)
Applications will be carefully evaluated by the admissions committee. The committee determines whether or not all entry requirements as specified below are met and assesses the quality of each application compared to the other applications received.
International diplomas are evaluated on the basis of advice from professional evaluators. The minimum level of the diploma should be equivalent to three years of Dutch university education.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degree
The programme is targeted at students with a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology. Students with an academic Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a closely related discipline, such as social sciences or humanities, are invited to apply as well.
Anthropology
These related programmes should include a substantial number of courses in anthropology, including a one semester (or trimester) course in anthropological theory completed with a good grade.
Research methodology
Applicants should have a solid basis in both qualitative and (less important) quantitative social sciences research methodology reflected by the completion of at least (an equivalent of) 20 ECTS during previous study. Experience with the following research methods skills is required:
- Make a solid research design
- Knowledge and training in qualitative research skills such as participant observation; interviewing; discourse analysis; and possibly historical research methods;
- Understand advantages and disadvantages of different qualitative research methods and triangulation Quantitative research skills that can be used for the purpose of triangulation
- Analysis the results of empirical qualitative research
Promising candidates with slightly less than 20 ECTS of social sciences research methodology may be admitted provided that they complete an intensive research methodology module (four weeks) offered by the Graduate School of Social Sciences. Please note that this is up to the admissions committee to decide. For more information on the intensive research methodology module, please see below.
English language proficiency
All students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and write in English. The College of Social Sciences offers a compulsory English language module that will prepare its Bachelor's students to undertake an English-taught Master.
All other applicants who are nationals of or who have obtained their Bachelor’s degree in countries other than the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland or New Zealand are required to submit an English test score that meets specific requirements. Inability to do so will prevent enrollment. For more information, please follow the link below.
Applicants of the College of Social Sciences (CSW) of the University of Amsterdam who have successfully completed the CSW course in Academic English or have obtained a sufficient level during the entrance test of the course, are exempted from submitting an English language test score.
Preparatory programme
Promising students who do not meet the entry requirements may be conditionally admitted into the programme, provided that they complete an online E-Course in Basic Anthropological Theory and/or other preparatory, undergraduate modules first.
The tuition fee for the two-months long distance E-course Basic Anthropological Theory offered in May/June 2014 is 250 EUR.
The tuition fee for other preparatory, undergraduate modules - apart from the Intensive Course in Research Methodology (see above), is:
· EUR 31, 77 per credit for the first 1 to 30 EC
· EUR 63,53 per credit for the next 31 to 60 EC
· EUR 75,00 per credit for 61 EC and higher.
During preparatory programmes up to 30 EC students are registered on Bachelor level, meaning that they are eligible to study loans or a student public transport card. During preparatory programmes from 31 to 60 EC students are registered on a contract basis, meaning that they are not eligible to study loans or a student public transport card. All UvA student facilities are available during all preparatory programmes (regardless of EC).
Graduates from universities of applied sciences (HBO)
Applicants with a higher professional Bachelor's degree obtained at a university of applied sciences (HBO) should contact the student advisor. HBO students with a relevant BA degree, preferably a BA that contains courses on analytical skills and on writing, and excellent grades might be able to enroll in the MA programme provided that they first complete (parts of) a BA programme. The student advisor can advise you on this.
Questions
If you still have any questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office at apply-gsss@uva.nl.