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M.Sc. On Campus

Social and Cultural Anthropology Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Highlights
Tuition fee
25370 EUR / year
2771 EUR / year
Unknown
Tuition fee
25370 EUR / year
2771 EUR / year
Unknown
Duration
12 months
Duration
12 months
Apply date
Unknown
Apply date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Campus location
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Campus location
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Taught in
English
Taught in
English

About

During this  Social and Cultural Anthropology programme offered at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam you'll analyse how beliefs, values and social structures are interwoven and you will delve deeper into the 'why' behind human behaviour. As an anthropologist, you place people's perspectives at the center: you listen, observe, and analyse from within.

Overview

Understand how cultural differences shape the way understand see and experience their worlds. Why do conflicts escalate? How do communities respond to technological change? And how do power and identity determine who is heard - and who is not? 

Key Facts

Why study the Social and Cultural Anthropology programme offered at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam? 

The world faces major challenges that demand innovative perspectives - precisely where anthropologists make a difference. From climate change to social inequality: anthropology reveals how cultural, political and economic processes shape these issues and changes how we understand them.

Before starting your Master's, you will choose a track that aligns with your ambitions:

Professional Anthropology Track: You will collaborate with an NGO, government agency or other stakeholder and translate research into practical recommendations.

Social and Cultural Anthropology Track: You will specialise in in-depth academic research and prepare for a PhD or research career. 

Both tracks offer three months of intensive fieldwork in the Netherlands or abroad, individual supervision and thorough methodological and theoretical training. You will complete the master's programme with a thesis based entirely on your own field research. 

Career

The Master’s graduates can be found working in multiple fields all over the world, including:

  • cultural diversity consultancy
  • international development
  • public sector positions
  • NGOs
  • Healthcare sector
  • social work
  • museums
  • education
  • journalism
  • research  

Open Days

Join the Online Master’s Event on Thursday, 26 November, or the International Master’s Webinar on Tuesday, 6 October, to learn more about the programme and studying at VU Amsterdam.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

  • Master's Thesis in Social and Cultural Anthropology
  • Diversity, (In)equality and Power (DIEP)
  • Field Research Design (FRD)
  • Theoretical Orientation in Social and Cultural Anthropology (TOSCA) 
  • Field Research

Key information

Duration

  • Full-time
    • 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

English
TOEFL® IBT
OR
92
IELTS
6.5

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Credits

60 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

  • Amsterdam, Netherlands

What students do after studying

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL® IBT
OR
92
IELTS
6.5

IELTS & PTE Test Preparation

E2 Language Test Prep
Trusted by 7M+ Students
Start Studying Today

Admission to your dream university starts with a high IELTS or PTE score. Earn your target score with E2's guided test preparation.

  • Study on your own schedule
  • Live classes with current and ex-examiners
  • Accurate score assesment, always
  • E2 Score Guarantee - Get your score or your money back!

Other requirements

General requirements

  • Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years). 
  • A sufficient background in the methods and techniques of social science research
  • A sufficient background in the theory of (social and cultural) anthropology
  • This can be demonstrated by having a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, or a related field, or if you have completed a minor in Anthropology, with a curriculum including social science research methods. 

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
  • International

    Non-residents
    25370 EUR / year
    ≈ 25370 EUR / year
  • Domestic

    Citizens or residents
    2771 EUR / year
    ≈ 2771 EUR / year

Living costs

Amsterdam

Netherlands
1000 - 1500 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Social and Cultural Anthropology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

ServiceScape
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
4000 USD
Deadline
20 Dec 2026
OAS ISS Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships

Read more about eligibility

ACES Education Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
5000 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
NL Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Association of Universities in the Netherlands
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships

Read more about eligibility

ACU (The Association of Commonweath Universities)
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2027
Voice Talent Online Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

Voice Talent Online
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
06 Jan 2027
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Diamant Gerstein
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
5000 CAD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Pinsky Law New Venture Development Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Pinsky Law
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jan 2027
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Salvado Law
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Anonymous Hope Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Leopold Figl Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

IELTS from 6 to 9
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships

Read more about eligibility

European Commission
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
965 USD
Deadline
Anytime
Dr. Martin Blank – SYB Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Shield Your Body
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme

Read more about eligibility

The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Location not available

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Social and Cultural Anthropology
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
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Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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