International Programmes 2023/2024

Social Anthropology / Sozialanthropologie Social Anthropology / Sozialanthropologie

University of Münster • Münster

Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

Courses are taught in English except for a few non-obligatory, optional classes (conducted in German).

Mode of study
Less than 50% online
Programme duration
4 semesters
Beginning
Winter semester
Application deadline

For German, EU citizens and non-EU citizens:
Deadline for applications is 15 July every year. Application opens in the first week of May. An early application is recommended.

Applicants have to submit all documents online. Applicants will have to submit the requested original documents at the time of enrolment.

Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

Social Anthropology is the study of socio-cultural practices, similarities and differences. Anthropologists observe, analyse and interpret in a theoretically informed and methodologically consistent manner domains of social action in which such cultural characteristics materialise.

The aim to compare societies constitutes a key concern of anthropological inquiry and informs its theoretical perspectives and analytical and methodological approaches. Anthropological knowledge and competences enable you to move with ease in intercultural settings and act in a scientifically valid, socially relevant, and ethically responsible manner.

This consecutive MA programme imparts knowledge of the theories and current research issues of social anthropology. This allows students to write the final MA thesis either on the basis of an audiovisual media project or by working on an empirically grounded or literature-based research project.

Course organisation

Modules one to six offer lectures, tutorials and seminars on the cultural foundation of sociality, on research methods, as well as on the fields Transcultural Psychiatry, Media Anthropology, Visual Anthropology, Migration Studies, Human and Animal Relations (Environmental Anthropology); Anthropology of Music, Anthropology of Religion, Political Anthropology, Conflict Studies and Mediation.

The programme offers regional specialisations in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Indian Ocean littoral societies.

Module seven is scheduled for the research project (choice between audiovisual format/ethnographic film/fieldwork/internship/practical training), which is concluded with a MA thesis and an oral examination (viva voce).

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A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
International elements
  • International guest lecturers
  • Training in intercultural skills
  • Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
  • International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
  • Content-related regional focus
Integrated internships

As part of their empirical research for the Master's thesis, students may do an internship at a field-related institution of their choice.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses
Yes
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Pace of course
Mixed (e.g. fixed exam dates and duration, study content can be studied at any time)
Phase(s) of attendance in Germany (applies to the entire programme)
Yes, compulsory
Types of online learning elements
  • Access to databases with study material
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

Students must pay a semester contribution fee of 316.98 EUR per semester. This includes a "semester ticket" covering public transportation in the greater Münster area as well as the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

You can find more information here:
https://www.uni-muenster.de/studieninteressierte/en/einschreibung/semesterbeitrag.shtml

Costs of living

We recommend that students budget at least 900 EUR per month to cover personal expenses (accommodation, living expenses, health insurance).

Funding opportunities within the university
No
Academic admission requirements

Academic admission requirements include a Bachelor's degree in social/cultural anthropology, ethnology or in a discipline containing a major social anthropological component (min. 15 ECTS), and language proficiency at the level of C1 (details below). See the homepage of the institute for further details.

Final overall grade of Bachelor's degree programme: at least 2.3

Language requirements

Non-native English speakers must show proficiency in the English language - the level required is C1 (CEFR, 7 IELTS, 93 TOEFL).

Application deadline

For German, EU citizens and non-EU citizens:
Deadline for applications is 15 July every year. Application opens in the first week of May. An early application is recommended.

Applicants have to submit all documents online. Applicants will have to submit the requested original documents at the time of enrolment.

Submit application to

https://www.uni-muenster.de/studieninteressierte/en/bewerbung/master.html

Possibility of finding part-time employment

You may find information on part time employment opportunities on the website of the International Office: https://www.uni-muenster.de/studium/en/kosten/jobben.html.

Students of the Master's programme may find employment opportunities, including but not limited to the fields of health organisations, user experience studies, counselling of migrants, and English language teaching.

Accommodation

As in all popular university cities in Germany, accommodation is in high demand and is not easy to find in Münster – but it’s not impossible either!

Please contact the International Office (Bachelor's and Master's students) or the WWU Graduate Centre (doctoral candidates) for advice. Please also note that the University of Münster (like most German public universities) does not have its own student halls of residence.

Career advisory service

Taking a course offered by the career service of the University of Münster is an optional element of the MA programme.

Students may consult with the student counsellor of the Master's programme to find out about career opportunities in academia or else in professional domains that require social anthropological expertise, such as the following: health organisations, NGOs, user experience assessments, counselling of migrants, development work, journalism, documentary film production, and more.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Specialist counselling

University of Münster

University location

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